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Most dangerous cities in the United States

Most dangerous cities in the United States; In a nation known for its diversity and vibrancy, some cities have struggled

By Ground report 24 Aug 2023

New Update

Most dangerous cities in the United States

In a nation known for its diversity and vibrancy, some cities have struggled with higher crime rates. Recent reports have highlighted several urban areas where crime rates have posed significant challenges. The safety and security of residents and visitors are of paramount concern.

Memphis, Tennessee, holds the unenviable title of being the most dangerous city in America. Boasting a population of 628,127, Memphis stands out with a shocking crime rate that is a staggering 237% higher than the national average.

The city is facing a rampant wave of criminal activities, with 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, primarily violent crimes. In 2022, a total of 15,318 incidents of violent crime occurred, including 289 murders, 2,134 robberies, and 12,484 assault cases.

According to new per capita data from NeighborhoodScout, although the focus typically revolves around major cities such as Chicago or San Francisco, it is actually smaller or suburban cities that house some of the most dangerous locations in the U.S.

Based on the latest FBI crime data and Census Bureau populations available in 2023, the map displayed above showcases the urban areas in the U.S. with the highest concentration of violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

Most dangerous cities in the United States

Rank	City	State
1	Bessemer	Alabama
2	Mobile	Alabama
3	Monroe	Louisiana
4	Saginaw	Michigan
5	Memphis	Tennessee
6	Detroit	Michigan
7	Birmingham	Alabama
8	Pine Bluff	Arkansas
9	Little Rock	Arkansas
10	Alexandria	Louisiana
11	Cleveland	Ohio
12	Kalamazoo	Michigan
13	Milwaukee	Wisconsin
14	Albany	Georgia
15	Gadsden	Alabama
16	Danville	Illinois
17	Lansing	Michigan
18	Baltimore	Maryland
19	Springfield	Missouri
20	Spartanburg	South Carolina
21	Rockford	Illinois
22	Wilmington	Delaware
23	St. Louis	Missouri
24	San Bernardino	California
25	Kansas City	Missouri

Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S.

Rank	City	Violent Crime Rate	Chance of Being a Victim
1	Bessemer, AL	33.1	1 in 30
2	Monroe, LA	26.3	1 in 38
3	Saginaw, MI	25.1	1 in 39
4	Memphis, TN	25.1	1 in 39
5	Detroit, MI	23.0	1 in 43
6	Birmingham, AL	20.6	1 in 49
7	Pine Bluff, AR	20.5	1 in 48
8	Little Rock, AR	20.2	1 in 49
9	Alexandria, LA	18.8	1 in 53
10	Cleveland, OH	17.1	1 in 58
11	Kalamazoo, MI	16.8	1 in 59
12	Milwaukee, WI	16.6	1 in 59
13	Albany, GA	16.1	1 in 61
14	Gadsden, AL	15.8	1 in 63
15	Danville, IL	15.8	1 in 63
16	Lansing, MI	15.7	1 in 63
17	Baltimore, MD	15.6	1 in 63
18	Springfield, MO	15.6	1 in 64
19	Spartanburg, SC	15.2	1 in 65
20	Rockford, IL	15.0	1 in 66
21	Wilmington, DE	15.0	1 in 66
22	St. Louis, MO	14.9	1 in 66
23	San Bernardino, CA	14.9	1 in 67
24	Kansas City, MO	14.5	1 in 68
25	Canton, OH	14.5	1 in 68
26	Chester, PA	14.5	1 in 68
27	South Bend, IN	14.4	1 in 69
28	Inkster, MI	14.1	1 in 70
29	Albuquerque, NM	13.9	1 in 71
30	Chattanooga, TN	13.9	1 in 71
31	Terre Haute, IN	13.9	1 in 71
32	New Orleans, LA	13.8	1 in 72
33	Camden, NJ	13.7	1 in 72
34	East Point, GA	13.6	1 in 73
35	Minneapolis, MN	13.4	1 in 74
36	Florence, SC	13.1	1 in 75
37	Elkhart, IN	12.8	1 in 77
38	Pueblo, CO	12.6	1 in 79
39	Stockton, CA	12.5	1 in 79
40	Oakland, CA	12.5	1 in 79
41	Flint, MI	12.5	1 in 79
42	Houston, TX	12.4	1 in 80
43	Jacksonville, AR	12.1	1 in 82
44	Myrtle Beach, SC	12.1	1 in 82
45	Paragould, AR	12.1	1 in 82
46	Battle Creek, MI	12.0	1 in 82
47	Tacoma, WA	11.9	1 in 83
48	Baton Rouge, LA	11.9	1 in 83
49	Jackson, MI	11.8	1 in 84
50	North Little Rock, AR	11.9	1 in 84
51	Nashville, TN	11.8	1 in 84
52	Pontiac, MI	11.7	1 in 85
53	Wichita, KS	11.7	1 in 85
54	Newnan, GA	11.7	1 in 85
55	Compton, CA	11.7	1 in 85
56	Riviera Beach, FL	11.5	1 in 86
57	Winston-Salem, NC	11.4	1 in 87
58	Anchorage, AK	11.4	1 in 87
59	Statesville, NC	11.2	1 in 89
60	Fort Smith, AR	11.1	1 in 89
61	Springfield, OH	11.0	1 in 90
62	Palm Springs, FL	10.9	1 in 91
63	Beaumont, TX	10.8	1 in 91
64	East Chicago, IN	10.8	1 in 91
65	Tulsa, OK	10.8	1 in 91
66	Lubbock, TX	10.8	1 in 92
67	Toledo, OH	10.8	1 in 92
68	York, PA	10.8	1 in 92
69	Barstow, CA	10.7	1 in 92
70	Farmington, NM	10.7	1 in 93
71	Dayton, OH	10.5	1 in 95
72	Bossier City, LA	10.4	1 in 95
73	North Charleston, SC	10.4	1 in 95
74	Mobile, AL	10.4	1 in 97
75	Aurora, CO	10.1	1 in 98
76	Daytona Beach, FL	10.1	1 in 98
77	South Salt Lake, UT	9.9	1 in 100
78	Salt Lake City, UT	9.9	1 in 100
79	Billings, MT	9.9	1 in 100
80	Washington, DC	9.8	1 in 101
81	Grand Rapids, MI	9.8	1 in 101
82	Louisville, KY	9.7	1 in 102
83	Fayetteville, NC	9.7	1 in 103
84	Huntsville, AL	9.7	1 in 103
85	Denver, CO	9.7	1 in 103
86	Goldsboro, NC	9.6	1 in 103
87	Holyoke, MA	9.6	1 in 103
88	Wheeling, WV	9.6	1 in 103
89	Vallejo, CA	9.6	1 in 103
90	Shreveport, LA	9.6	1 in 103
91	Muskogee, OK	9.6	1 in 103
92	Panama City, FL	9.5	1 in 104
93	Dover, DE	9.5	1 in 105
94	Atlanta, GA	9.5	1 in 105
95	Jackson, TN	9.5	1 in 105
96	Texarkana, AR	9.4	1 in 105
97	Lake Worth Beach, FL	9.3	1 in 106
98	Chamblee, GA	9.3	1 in 106
99	Springfield, MA	9.3	1 in 106
100	Rocky Mount, NC	9.3	1 in 107

Crime in the United States

The violent crime rate across the United States stands at 5.6 per 1,000 people, while the safest cities in the country exhibit total crime rates of 8.6 per 1,000 people or lower.

When discussing violent crime in the U.S., it is nearly impossible to overlook gun violence. The Gun Violence Archive reveals a staggering figure of over 22,000 gun violence deaths in the U.S. as of July 2023, encompassing tragic incidents like 371 mass shootings and the heartbreaking loss of 150 innocent children.

publive-image — The Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. Photo Credit: Visual Capitalist

Despite the decrease in violent crime according to the latest annual FBI data from 2020 to 2021, it is disconcerting to note that murders have risen during this period.

Causes and Implications

The urban landscape of the United States is a tapestry woven with varying hues of culture, opportunity, and challenges. Among the many stories of growth and development, there are cities where crime rates have been stubbornly high, posing a considerable concern. This analysis shines a spotlight on these cities, delving into their crime statistics and identifying common factors that contribute to their rankings.

While each city's unique circumstances contribute to their crime rates, common trends emerge. Socioeconomic challenges, lack of access to quality education, limited employment opportunities, and historic patterns of crime are among the factors that intertwine to create complex challenges. Exploring the root causes behind these rankings is crucial in devising effective strategies to improve public safety and quality of life.