Whether it’s safeguarding people and their belongings on the streets, preventing crime, or even shielding them from cyberbullying, safety is a top concern for nations everywhere. America is a contradiction; on the one hand, it has the largest economy in the world, the strongest military in the world, and the most sophisticated technical infrastructure. But one issue that cannot be disregarded is the crime rate in many American cities, including some of the largest ones.
Many Americans feel that violence is on the rise in the United States despite data suggesting otherwise. High-profile events such as mob riots at the U.S. Capitol and a threat bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security to alert people to the possibility of ongoing domestic violence only serve to confirm these fears. According to the FBI, although total violent crime decreased by 1% in 2021, the number of homicides in the United States increased by 4% from the year before. Robberies fell by 9%, which contributed significantly to this decline; however, this might possibly have been caused by the FBI implementing a new system and Axios reporting that about 40% of police enforcement did not submit 2021 figures.
35 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in America
Over 75% of Americans believe that they are safe to stroll alone at night, indicating that the country’s perceived crime rate is also low. In comparison to other high-income, industrialized nations, the United States continues to have the highest rate of violent fatalities per 100,000 people, despite the fact that the total rate of violent crime has decreased from over 500 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 395.7 per 100,000 people in 2021—a fall of over 20%. In actuality, compared to other high-income nations, the United States has an overall firearm fatality rate that is 11.4 times greater than that of other nations, per University of San Francisco research.
In order to better understand the causes of the dangers in certain neighborhoods, we may have included a number of criteria, like the unemployment rate and ethnicity, while compiling a list of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America. However, as one of the primary worries surrounding such locations is safety, we used the FBI and USA.gov as our sources and averaged their findings to determine the crime rate in each neighborhood to determine the most dangerous in America.
Trends in Crime Statistics during 2008 recession and COVID-19
Contrary to widespread belief, there was a decrease in crime during the 2008 recession. In actuality, the U.S. homicide rate fell and then kept falling. 2008 had a decline in property crimes for the sixth year in a row, with overall estimates for the first time being lower than the total from the year before. Data show a 1.9% drop in the number of violent offenses.
The COVID-19 epidemic resulted in a modest decrease in crime rates, mostly because social isolation made it more difficult for criminals to perpetrate petty larceny, join gangs, or break into homes. On the other hand, there was a rise in the frequency of online illicit market activity and domestic violence.
In Chicago, the total number of offenses dropped by 31.5 percent. Property crimes that witnessed significant drops (41.0%) were theft (25.8%), robbery (25.8%), criminal trespassing (50.1%), and burglary (22.9%). However, the epidemic presented additional difficulties for companies. The shift to work from home has resulted in a digital transformation for many firms. Cyber security firms were crucial in helping these businesses that underwent a significant digital transformation to keep their security.
Methodology
In order to compile our list of 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America to live in 2024. We have collected data from various reliable sources like the FBI’s uniform crime reporting program and crime statistics. We have also considered these five articles from Insider Monkey: article 1, article 2, article 3, article 4, and article 5.
We have ranked these 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America in descending order on the basis of their violent crime rates per 1000 persons. Let’s have a look at our list of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
35- Newport News
State: Virginia
Crime rate: 6.65 per 1000 persons.
In comparison to both the state and national norms, Newport News has higher overall crime rates. Violent and property crimes are the two categories of crimes that make up the overall offenses. Newport News has had an increase in violence.
The crime rate is 6.65 per 1000 lives, which is greater than the national average (2.25) for the year 2023.
34- Grand Rapids
State: Michigan
Crime rate: 6.71
Compared to all communities of all sizes, from the tiniest villages to the greatest metropolis, Grand Rapids has one of the highest crime rates in America, with 40 crimes committed for every 1,000 people. Here, there is a one in twenty-five risk of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
33- Bakersfield
State: California
Crime rate: 6.76
We discovered that 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America, Bakersfield has one of the highest rates of violent crime (both major and petty). Rape, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and aggravated assault—including assault with a dangerous weapon—were among the violent offenses that were tracked. Based on Neighborhood Scout’s examination of FBI recorded crime statistics, there is a one in 179 chance that you may fall victim to one of these crimes in Bakersfield.
32- Tulsa
State: Oklahoma
Crime rate: 6.87
Over 99% of Oklahoman municipalities have crime rates that are lower than Tulsa’s. Actually, it is one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America after investigating hazardous areas to reside in.
31- North Charleston
State: South Carolina
Crime rate: 7.25
Compared to other locations with comparable populations, North Charleston, which has a population of 118,608, has an extremely high combined rate of violent and property crime (48.7%). North Charleston performs badly when compared to locations with a comparable population, regardless of how well or poorly it does in comparison to all other U.S. cities and towns of all sizes.
30- Baton Rouge
State: Louisiana
Crime rate: 7.27
Next on our list of 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America is Baton Rouge. There is a one in seventeen risks of becoming a victim of property crime in Baton Rouge or 60 victims for every 1,000 people.
29- Aurora
State: Colorado
Crime rate: 7.32
Aurora recorded 44 homicides in 2020, translating to an 11.19 murder rate per 100,000 residents. The homicide rate in Aurora is 2.2 times higher than the state average and 1.7 times higher than the national average. This state makes it one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
28- Philadelphia
State: Pennsylvania
Crime rate: 7.41
Philadelphia’s crime rate—particularly its violent crime rate—regularly exceeds the national average. Out of the Top 10 American cities with a population of one million or more, it has the greatest rate of violent crime and the highest percentage of poverty. With 562 homicides, 2021 was the worst year in Philadelphia history. Therefore, it is also considered one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
27- Washington
State: District of Columbia
Crime rate: 7.73
The violent crime rate in Washington, DC, is 2.5 times higher than the overall country.
There has been a 1% decline in violent crime year over year. It records 398.5 violent crimes occurring nationwide for every 100,000 people.
26- Houston
State: Texas
Crime rate: 7.87
According to the department’s preliminary statistics, there were at least 82 murders in the first half of 2021, which is much more than the 60 killings that were recorded in the same time the year before. In addition, there was a 28% rise in homicides in 2021, with a total of 346 occurrences.
25- Denver
State: Colorado
Crime rate: 7.89
Denver, one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America regarding car theft, property crime, and rape, is among the top ten cities. As per Neighborhood Scout, there are 70.02 criminal events for per 1,000 residents.
24- Toledo
State: Ohio
Crime rate: 7.93
There are 2.5 times as many violent crimes as there are in the country. Compared to the national average, property offenses are 1.5 times greater. Murder rates exceed the national average by over three times. It is also on our list of 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
23- Springfield
State: Missouri
Crime rate: 7.93
According to comprehensive city reporting, the metro region of Springfield had a combined violent crime incidence of 7.93 occurrences per 1,000 persons for 2023 and a property crime rate of 36.7. It is among the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America that we consider to be the most unsafe.
22- Evansville
State: Indiana
Crime rate: 8.15
In terms of crimes per square mile, Evansville residents are five times more vulnerable than the state average. Evansville’s violent and property crime numbers are two times higher than the national average.
21- Metropolitan Nashville
State: Tennessee
Crime rate: 8.27
The perception of danger in Nashville is a result of the high incidence of violent and property crimes, which include murders, robberies, assaults, and thefts. High rates of poverty and socioeconomic inequality make crime problems worse, and views of corruption in local government erode public confidence in law enforcement and public institutions.
20- Dayton
State: Ohio
Crime rate: 8.32
According to data from the Dayton Police Department, the city logged 20,340 offenses last year, 1,430 higher than in 2022. It is among the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
19- Minneapolis
State: Minnesota
Crime rate: 8.37
Minneapolis has a crime rate that is 179% higher than the national average despite having a population of 429,954. Minneapolis has a serious issue with violent crime, with frequent shootings, killings, and robberies, and also among the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
18- Rockford
State: Illinois
Crime rate: 8.47
The 2023 Crime Rates in U.S. Cities Report states that Rockford has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the country. It is also one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America. In the small cities category, Rockford trailed Little Rock, Arkansas, and Mobile, Alabama, with 1278 attacks per 100,000 residents.
17- Chattanooga
State: Tennessee
Crime rate: 8.61
There is a lot of violent crime in Chattanooga, one of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America; in 2020, there were 182 rapes and 33 murders recorded, which the fourth-highest number in the state is. Additionally, Chattanooga serves as a center for vehicle theft.
16- Anchorage
State: Alaska
Crime rate: 8.64
With a population of almost 285,821, Anchorage ranks first in terms of population size. Regarding the state’s most dangerous cities, it comes in second. The high rates of violent crimes, aggravated assaults, and property crimes in Anchorage are well-known.
15- Stockton
State: California
Crime rate: 8.67
Stockton is among 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America, according to a number of sources. In 2023, the 451,000-person city of Stockton had 98.7 violent crime events per 1,000 citizens.
14- Baltimore
State: Maryland
Crime state: 8.77
Its reputation for violent crime is well-reflected in its moniker, Bodymore, Murderland. Baltimore has the highest murder rate in Maryland, with 348 recorded cases in 2020. It is also on our list of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
13- Albuquerque
State: New Mexico
Crime rate: 8.96
Compared to 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America, the city has a higher crime rate. There are 968.5 crimes per 100,000 individuals. Also, the rate of violent crime is more than twice as high as the national average.
12- Milwaukee
State: Wisconsin
Crime rate: 9.05
Milwaukee, among the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America, has the highest crime rate per capita, with an average of 60 victims of violent crimes for every 1,000 residents. There is a 1 in 17 chance that you may become a victim of a violent crime if you travel or reside in this city.
11- Peoria
State: Illinois
Crime rate: 9.20
In Peoria, there were 5,318 recorded crimes overall, 1,158 of which were violent crimes. Peoria is now the 15th deadliest city in the nation, according to a CBS analysis. It is also on our list of the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
10- Tacoma
State: Washington
Crime rate: 9.63
In Tacoma, there were 22,230 offenses in total during the most recent reporting year. In Tacoma, there were 10,149.4 total offenses per 100,000 residents. Tacoma’s total crime rate is 336.69% higher than the U.S. average. And is considered among the 35 most dangerous neighborhoods in America.
9- Lansing
State: Michigan
Crime rate: 10.49
The FBI’s latest current statistics indicate that Lansing has a total crime rate of 3,970.1 per 100,000 residents. Compared to the national average of 2,324.2 per 100,000 persons, it is 70.82% greater.
8- Beaumont
State: Texas
Crime rate: 10.69
Property crime is the most prevalent kind of crime in Beaumont. This covers offenses such as theft, vandalism, and burglary. Beaumont has 4,534 recorded crimes, or 2,692 offenses, per 100,000 residents.
7- St. Louis
State: Missouri
Crime rate: 10.72
As seen by the 17,399 property crimes and 3,221 recorded car thefts, St. Louis residents endure a difficult environment despite having the second-highest murder rate in the state.
6- Pueblo
State: Colorado
Crime rate: 10.78
In Pueblo, 1,825 violent offenses were reported during the most recent reporting year. There is a 1 in 61.7 risk that you may fall victim to a violent crime each year. In comparison, the statewide probability is 1 in 236.4.
5- Kansas City
State: Missouri
Crime rate: 10.90
Kansas City has the fourth-highest murder rate, so it is imperative that citizens exercise caution. Even if it has the lowest percentage of property crime on the list, people should be concerned about the total crime figures.
4- Cleveland
State: Ohio
Crime rate:
Ohio’s greatest violent crime rate was in Cleveland, where citizens faced a one in sixty risk of being assaulted. This comprises the state’s highest murder rate and ninth-highest number of rape cases.