Most dangerous city in every state
It’s commonly thought that cities with the densest populous suffer from the most instances of violent crime. Demographic composition, wealth inequality, local law provisions, and educational access all factor into an urban area’s crime rate.
Thanks to data from 2016 provided by the FBI, Stacker developed a list of the most dangerous city in each state. Looking at violent and property crime rates through a per capita lens may help put specific communities’ deficiencies in perspective, and help prompt meaningful discussions on reform.
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Alabama: Anniston
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 33.1
Total violent crimes: 735
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 77.1
Total property crimes: 1,712
Population: 22,205
The Model City, formerly home to a thriving iron industry, sits just north of the Talladega National Forest, 90 miles west of Atlanta. Anniston officials are currently working on their jail overpopulation problem: built to house no more than 140 inmates, the facility currently holds 647.
Alaska: Anchorage
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 11.4
Total violent crimes: 3,422
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 49
Total property crimes: 14,649
Population: 299,097
Alaska’s largest city is roughly 10 hours by air from 90% of the industrialized world, making its airport the second-most frequented destination for cargo in the Western Hemisphere. On June 22, 2018, U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder led a Crime Prevention Town Hall Forum.
Arizona: Phoenix
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.7
Total violent crimes: 10,700
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 36.9
Total property crimes: 58,552
Population: 1,586,611
The capital of a state that boasts some of the most lenient gun laws in the country, Phoenix lies in the geographical center of Arizona, northwest of Tucson. On July 9, 2018, Senate candidate Bobby Wilson made a case to an unenthusiastic crowd about the merits of a “good guy with a gun.” Wilson previously evaded trial for the alleged murder of his mother and sister by gunshot.
Arkansas: West Memphis
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 18.6
Total violent crimes: 461
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 48.4
Total property crimes: 1,200
Population: 24,818
Just 10 miles west of Graceland across the Mississippi River, the Wonder City is the largest in Arkansas’ Crittenden County. Much of the town’s crime originated in Memphis, and overflows to smaller rural towns without adequate counter-resources.
California: Barstow
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 15.1
Total violent crimes: 361
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 47.5
Total property crimes: 1,136
Population: 23,894
This city lies northeast of Los Angeles at the intersection of three major highways: Interstate 15, Interstate 40, and State Highway 58. On Feb. 5, 2018, the city became part of the Taking Back Our Community Coalition in opposition of Assembly Bill 109, Proposition 47, and Proposition 57.
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Colorado: Pueblo
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 9.8
Total violent crimes: 1,081
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 68
Total property crimes: 7,473
Population: 109,927
The city, south of Colorado Springs, has one of the highest homeless populations in the state.
Connecticut: Hartford
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 10.9
Total violent crimes: 1,353
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 42
Total property crimes: 5,197
Population: 123,736
Project Longevity is a community and law enforcement initiative that focuses reducing crime in Connecticut’s capital as well as neighboring New Haven and Bridgeport.
Delaware: Wilmington
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 17.8
Total violent crimes: 1,285
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 49.1
Total property crimes: 3,544
Population: 72,183
Primarily influenced by neighboring Philadelphia, Delaware’s largest city leads the U.S. in teen gun violence.
Florida: Florida City
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 28
Total violent crimes: 344
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 88.8
Total property crimes: 1,092
Population: 12,297
Florida City is the final mainland stop in Miami-Dade county, which forms the largest contingent of violent crime in the state.
Georgia: College Park
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 18.9
Total violent crimes: 279
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 95.4
Total property crimes: 1,405
Population: 14,724
This suburb of Atlanta will benefit from new state legislation that aims to reduce juvenile delinquency and reform bail.
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Hawaii: Honolulu
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 3.3
Total violent crimes: 3,331
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 30.7
Total property crimes: 30,592
Population: 995,572
Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative geared towards protecting against the Hawaiian capital’s most violent offenders, has seen twice as many violent crime indictments in 2018 than in the previous two years combined.
Idaho: Garden City
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.5
Total violent crimes: 76
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 36.7
Total property crimes: 428
Population: 11,667
The municipality is surrounded by Boise, which experiences 2.9 violent crimes per 1,000 of its population annually.
Illinois: Cairo
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 28.7
Total violent crimes: 69
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 38.7
Total property crimes: 93
Population: 2,402
In June 2017, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson described Cairo, Illinois, located along the Mississippi River bordering Missouri and Kentucky, as a “dying community.”
Indiana: Elkhart
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 15.1
Total violent crimes: 791
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 43.1
Total property crimes: 2,264
Population: 52,505
Located 20 miles east of South Bend, the “RV capital of the world” suffers from rising housing prices and lack of skilled labor.
Iowa: Waverly
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 11.3
Total violent crimes: 114
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 11.7
Total property crimes: 118
Population: 10,104
Northeast of Des Moines, Waverly is an example of crime stretching outward to Iowa’s rural cities. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recently proposed the Mens Rea Reform Act, which aims to restructure the state’s criminal justice landscape.
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Kansas: Wichita
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 10.6
Total violent crimes: 4,136
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 53.8
Total property crimes: 21,065
Population: 391,399
Kansas’ largest metropolitan has experienced a massive increase in assaults with firearms since 2010—nearly double what it was. Wichita police believe that a new hotline will help curb those rising numbers.
Kentucky: Louisville Metro
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.8
Total violent crimes: 4,621
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 44.2
Total property crimes: 30,254
Population: 683,825
Louisville lies along the Ohio River in northern Kentucky, where there is a 1 in 136 chance of being a victim of a violent crime, as opposed to a 1 in 430 chance in the rest of the state.
Louisiana: Monroe
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 30.1
Total violent crimes: 1,493
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 93.5
Total property crimes: 4,646
Population: 49,677
Monroe is located in the northeast region of Louisiana. Its crime rate, which includes a litany of violent offenses, is 220% higher than in comparison to the Louisiana average and 336% higher than the nation’s, overall.
Maine: Augusta
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 4.1
Total violent crimes: 76
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 36.8
Total property crimes: 676
Population: 18,347
Augusta has the highest crime rate in the state of Maine, particularly property crimes, with Skowhegan as a close second. Overall, Maine is considered among the safer states, and government officials have stressed this fact to the public.
Maryland: Baltimore
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 17.8
Total violent crimes: 11,010
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 47.8
Total property crimes: 29,547
Population: 618,385
The capital of Maryland is the home of award-winning crime drama “The Wire,” and is currently seeking to shed its reputation for violence, drug-related activity, and robbery by undergoing sweeping police reform.
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Massachusetts: North Adams
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 13.8
Total violent crimes: 181
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 32.9
Total property crimes: 433
Population: 13,162
North Adams recently augmented its police force in response to the city’s heavy crime burden, and its mayor is heavily focused on reducing unlawful activity.
Michigan: Detroit
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 20.5
Total violent crimes: 13,705
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 47.2
Total property crimes: 31,630
Population: 669,673
Once home to a booming car manufacturing industry, Detroit’s murder rate is currently worse than that of Los Angeles. Beyond homicide, the metro area suffers from a high rate of burglary, arson, and drug-related offenses.
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 11.1
Total violent crimes: 4,622
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 42.2
Total property crimes: 17,594
Population: 416,751
Minneapolis is the largest city in the state of Minnesota, as well as the most dangerous area in the state. Poor economic conditions and an overtasked police force contribute to the situation, with robbery being the most common offense.
Mississippi: Jackson
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 8.5
Total violent crimes: 1,451
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 46.4
Total property crimes: 7,884
Population: 170,070
Known as the City with Soul, the capital of Mississippi was once considered a safe place to raise a family. Now it has the fourth-highest murder rate in the country, and an ever-rising crime rate to contend with.
Missouri: St. Louis
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 19.1
Total violent crimes: 6,017
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 59.3
Total property crimes: 18,653
Population: 314,507
Not only does St. Louis suffer from an overall high crime rate, it’s also one of the most chemically contaminated areas in the country. Abandoned houses, car break-ins, and homicides are commonplace, and gun violence is rampant.
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Montana: Helena
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.5
Total violent crimes: 203
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 38.7
Total property crimes: 1,203
Population: 31,052
Areavibes gives Helena an “F” rating for crime, owing it to high instances of assault, theft, and property crimes—78% higher than the rest of the state, overall.
Nebraska: Omaha
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 5.7
Total violent crimes: 2,531
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 37.7
Total property crimes: 16,807
Population: 446,163
The homicide rate among Omaha’s African-American population is particularly troubling, ranking second-highest in the country. A research and advocacy group that promotes gun control recently released a study on the topic.
Nevada: North Las Vegas
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 9.5
Total violent crimes: 2,276
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 22.1
Total property crimes: 5,277
Population: 238,554
North Las Vegas is associated vastly more with violent crime than a vibrant nightlife. The city suffers from widespread poverty and poor governmental management, contributing to a high rate of violent crime.
New Hampshire: Manchester
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.7
Total violent crimes: 742
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 27.3
Total property crimes: 3,010
Population: 110,353
Known as the Queen City, Manchester is experiencing a change in demographic makeup, despite the disproportionate crime rates relative to the rest of the state.
New Jersey: Asbury Park
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 14.2
Total violent crimes: 223
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 45.9
Total property crimes: 723
Population: 15,757
On April 6, 2018, this oceanfront community in northeast New Jersey served as the stage for Gov. Phil Murphy to sign an executive order expanding availability of gun crime information to the public.
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New Mexico: Espanola
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 26.7
Total violent crimes: 268
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 55.5
Total property crimes: 557
Population: 10,030
North of Albuquerque, Espanola was established in 1880 as a railroad community. Formerly incarcerated resident Barron Jones has made a name for himself as an advocate for criminal justice reform within the state.
New York: Newburgh
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 14.3
Total violent crimes: 403
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 31.4
Total property crimes: 885
Population: 28,171
While Newburgh’s crime rate continues to be disproportionate for its size, there has been a marked decline in offenses relative to that area since 2016.
North Carolina: Lumberton
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 18.1
Total violent crimes: 393
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 138.3
Total property crimes: 2,998
Population: 21,683
Located 20 miles north of the South Carolina border, Lumberton is not only the “Gateway to Southeastern North Carolina,” but also the state’s strongest base of violent crime. Robeson County, in fact, is the state’s lead offender.
North Dakota: Jamestown
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 4.1
Total violent crimes: 63
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 30.6
Total property crimes: 471
Population: 15,417
Jamestown’s crime rate is so high that its local university has a page on its website, addressing legitimate concerns students and parents may have.
Ohio: Cleveland
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 16.3
Total violent crimes: 6,299
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 53.2
Total property crimes: 20,533
Population: 386,227
Ohio’s second-most populous city was once a leader in the dissemination of culture and commerce. Now, the city is consistent in being a platform for violent crime, with the fifth-highest murder rate in the country.
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Oklahoma: Tulsa
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 11
Total violent crimes: 4,444
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 59
Total property crimes: 23,956
Population: 405,748
Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma and by far the leader per capita in terms of property and violent crime. Oklahoma City is not far behind.
Oregon: Medford
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 5
Total violent crimes: 407
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 70.4
Total property crimes: 5,688
Population: 80,794
Just 35 miles north of the California border, Medford is in a region known for fine wine production. Unfortunately, it’s also home to gang activity, which makes it a hotbed for crime.
Pennsylvania: Darby
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 21.3
Total violent crimes: 228
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 37.2
Total property crimes: 398
Population: 10,687
A southwest suburb of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, Darby has a crime rate of 3,617 per 100,000 people. High poverty rates and rampant unemployment contribute to higher instances of homicides and other violent crimes.
Rhode Island: Central Falls
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 6.5
Total violent crimes: 126
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 23.4
Total property crimes: 451
Population: 19,277
Central Falls, a city in Providence County is known as the City for All People, owing to a 2010 census, which cites it the only city in Rhode Island that is a “majority minority” city. Despite these bragging rights, and the city being so small, it still needs to borrow police from neighboring towns to curb its crime issues.
South Carolina: Myrtle Beach
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 16.9
Total violent crimes: 538
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 137.9
Total property crimes: 4,395
Population: 31,864
Myrtle Beach is known for leisure and challenging golf courses. Despite the beach vibes, the city recently announced a 10-month plan to add new police officers over several divisions.
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South Dakota: Rapid City
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 7.2
Total violent crimes: 536
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 39.8
Total property crimes: 2,966
Population: 74,573
South Dakota’s second-most populous city received a $1.75 million grant in October of 2017 as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge, which will go toward criminal justice reform and reducing the county jail population.
Tennessee: Memphis
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 18.2
Total violent crimes: 11,947
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 56.3
Total property crimes: 36,988
Population: 656,434
Although Memphis reduced its crime rate by 15.6% in 2017, the overall crime rate saw an increase of about 6%. In 2018, Bill Gibbons, president of Crime Commissions, created a Safe Community Strategy which expands the multi-agency hang unit and sets out to deploy law enforcement in a “data driven manner.”
Texas: Robstown
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 17.4
Total violent crimes: 202
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 34.2
Total property crimes: 397
Population: 11,596
Robstown is a suburb west of Corpus Christi, currently at the crossroads of opportunity due to its transportation infrastructure. Its location makes it an ideal trafficking ground between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Utah: Salt Lake City
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 9.4
Total violent crimes: 1,815
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 85.4
Total property crimes: 16,551
Population: 193,918
Utah’s capital and most populous city, Salt Lake City, implemented the Justice Reinvestment Initiative in 2015 that set out to reduce recidivism and help offenders become law-abiding citizens. Unfortunately, data has yet to reflect an improvement in the city’s crime rate.
Vermont: Brattleboro
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 3.3
Total violent crimes: 38
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 39.2
Total property crimes: 455
Population: 11,607
Located roughly 10 miles north of the Massachusetts state line, Brattleboro takes pride in its community justice center. This community organization seeks to find ways to repair harm constructively, utilizing the principles of restorative justice.
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Virginia: Danville
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 8
Total violent crimes: 335
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 36.7
Total property crimes: 1,529
Population: 41,686
In comparison with other cities of similar size, Danville’s crime ranks higher than average. Although the city’s overall crime has been steadily decreasing for the past 15 years, Danville police argue that the drop is not enough. The current focus is dismantling street gang activity to help restore safety to crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Washington: Tacoma
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 9.5
Total violent crimes: 2,000
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 65.5
Total property crimes: 13,749
Population: 209,914
Tacoma ranks first in Washington for violent crime. Tacoma’s police department places large emphasis on data analysis, and programs aimed at predictive policing.
West Virginia: Charleston
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 15.5
Total violent crimes: 767
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 79.7
Total property crimes: 3,939
Population: 49,429
In 2015, West Virginia’s capital city passed a juvenile justice reform bill in an effort to reduce the incarceration of low-level youth offenders and steer resources toward community-based sanctions. Positive results remain to be seen, given the data provided by the FBI.
Wisconsin: Milwaukee
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 15.3
Total violent crimes: 9,201
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 40.6
Total property crimes: 24,392
Population: 600,193
State Senator Van Wanggaard of Wisconsin’s “Big City of Little Neighborhoods,” says, “You’re more likely to be the victim of a violent crime in Milwaukee than in 96% of the country.” Although this may be the case, the city’s close proximity to Lake Michigan, booming beer industry, and metropolitan area makes it the second most-densely populated city in the midwest after Chicago.
Wyoming: Riverton
Violent crimes per 1,000 persons: 4.3
Total violent crimes: 47
Property crimes per 1,000 persons: 55.9
Total property crimes: 610
Population: 10,905
Riverton is known for its staunch sense of civic pride. House Bill 42 will allow judges to provide two non-prison alternatives for probation and parole violators.
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By Andre LaFont
