America is a vast nation, both in terms of population and land area and its diverse population means that crime statistics can differ significantly from state to state. In this article, we will explore the top ten states in America with the highest rates of violent crime between 2020 and 2022. So, let’s delve into the details.
10 Most Dangerous States in the US (2023)
1. Alaska
Alaska has been named the most dangerous state in the US due to its alarming rate of combined violent and property crimes, surpassing all other states in the country.
Alaska has the highest crime rate among all states, with a rate of 32.14 per 1,000 people in 2022, out of a population of 736,081. One of the most common types of crime in Alaska is aggravated assault, with 4,222 incidents reported. Unfortunately, sexual assault is also a major problem in Alaska, with over 1,132 incidents reported, which is among the highest in the nation.
2. New Mexico
When it comes to safety, New Mexico is not one of the most reassuring states in the US. Year after year, it has maintained its position among the top states with the highest rates of violent crimes. In fact, Albuquerque, NM, has also earned the reputation of being one of the most dangerous cities in the country, according to a recent report.
New Mexico witnessed a staggering number of violent assaults and robberies in the year 2021, with the count reaching over 12,000 and 2,000, respectively. Property crime is also a growing concern, particularly burglary and vehicle theft. Among the cities in the state, Albuquerque, Gallup, and Farmington are regarded as the most crime-prone areas.
3. Tennessee
Tennessee stands out as one of the states with the highest crime rates in the United States. The Volunteer State, with a population of approximately 6,917,000, reports an overall crime rate of 31.65 per 1,000 people. Shockingly, in 2021 alone, more than 221,000 criminal incidents were reported, out of which 46,428 were violent crimes. It’s worth noting that property crime is the most frequent type of crime in Tennessee, with burglary and personal theft being the most significant issues.
Although Tennessee is undergoing growth and transformation, certain regions of its cities, including Memphis and Nashville, continue to suffer from elevated rates of violent crime.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas is not considered to be safer than Tennessee when it comes to violent crime. The state had a violent crime rate of 672.7 per 100,000 in 2020, based on a population of 3,013,756. This implies that the likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 148 for residents of Arkansas.
Arkansas has a reputation for having high property crime rates. In fact, there is a 1 in 38 chance that residents may become victims of theft. Burglary and vehicle theft are among the most common crimes, with almost 24,000 incidents reported in the year 2021 alone. West Memphis, Little Rock, and Helena are known to have the highest crime rates in the state when it comes to property crimes.
5. Arizona
Arizona is a state that boasts stunning national parks, but unfortunately, it is also recognized as one of the most violent states in the USA. With high rates of violent crime, living in Arizona can be dangerous.
Crime rates vary greatly across cities in Arizona. While cities like Scottsdale report minimal instances of crime, other cities such as Tempe and Phoenix have high crime rates in many neighborhoods. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent crime rates in Arizona have increased by 8.6% between 2020 and 2021. Robbery and assault are the most prevalent crimes, accounting for 32,201 incidents, while there were 504 reported murders in the state. As a result, the likelihood of being a victim of violent crime in Arizona is 1 in 199.
6. Louisiana
Louisiana is known to be one of the most perilous states in America, surpassing the US national average in both property and violent crime. In metropolitan areas like Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, the number of violent crimes, including murder, is significantly higher than the national average. As of 2022, the crime rate in New Orleans alone is a staggering 150% higher than the national average, making it a concerning issue for the state.
In addition to violent crime, property crime has also been a major issue in 2021. Burglary and theft rates have been recorded at 29.71 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average.
7. Missouri
Missouri’s murder and violent crime rate is alarmingly high, with 723 murders in 2020 alone, equivalent to 11.8 murders per 100,000 people. The state is also plagued by other violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and rape, with a staggering 543 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This highlights the urgent need for effective measures to be implemented to curb violent crime in the state.
Missouri’s cities, including St. Louis, rank among the highest in the country for both violent and property crime. Shockingly, in 2020, St. Louis had a crime rate that was 234% higher than the national average.
8. South Carolina
Despite its beauty and charm, South Carolina is known as one of the most perilous states in the United States. Shockingly, the state has some of the highest rates of violent and property crimes nationwide.
South Carolina, with a population of 5,118,425, has a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 4 per 1,000 people. The state has a high rate of violent crimes, with almost 22,000 robbery cases reported in 2020 alone. In the same year, the number of murders reported was 549, equivalent to .11 per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of .07 per 1,000 people.
9. South Dakota
With a population of 895,376, South Dakota has a surprisingly high crime rate for a state with such a low population. According to recent reports, in 2021, the violent crime rate was 5.05 per 1,000 residents, meaning that the chances of becoming a victim are 1 in 198. Shockingly, the crime rate for serious offenses such as murder and rape is higher than the national average. Furthermore, there were over 3,000 reported incidents of assault in 2021 alone. On top of these concerning statistics, South Dakota has the second-highest rate of drunk driving arrests in the country and a distressingly high number of drunk driving-related fatalities.
10. Michigan
Michigan, a Midwestern state in the US, holds the 10th position on our list of the most violent states in the country. The state witnessed more than 40,000 incidents of violent crime in 2020, which translates to 4.73 cases for every 1,000 individuals. Unfortunately, Michigan has seen a rise in violent and property crimes across the state. Some of the cities that have been particularly affected by violent crime include Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Saginaw. Detroit, in particular, has reported a staggering 14,509 murders in 2021, surpassing other cities of similar size by a significant margin.
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