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States with the Highest Crime Rates (Ranked)

In 2020, the F.B.I received reports of almost 8.9 million violent crimes in the United States, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. However, violence varies regionally, and the rate of violent crime in some states is now equal to or even higher than it was in the early 1990s. Join ViewCation as we rank states with the highest crime rates.

Tennessee

It’s no secret that Tennessee is one of the most violent and lawless states in the United States. Gangs are a problem in numerous areas of Knoxville, Memphis, and even some parts of Nashville, so much so that many natives avoid these cities unless absolutely necessary. Murfreesboro is the most secure city in Tennessee because it has a lower crime rate, superior public services, and a less chaotic environment.

The most common violent crimes in this portion of North America are assault, murder, and rape, all of which often occur in Tennessee. There are roughly 200 rapes in Tennessee, as well as more than 4,500 theft offences reported each year. In 2019, there were 37,000 violent crimes reported in Tennessee, making it one of the states with the highest crime rates in the United States. Although murder is uncommon in this state, assaults occur on a regular basis. One’s odds of being assaulted are close to one hundred percent.

It’s possible to get attacked almost anywhere in Knoxville or Memphis. Therefore, you should be extra vigilant while visiting these cities.

Nevada

Nevada, a state in the western United States, is notorious for its casino and entertainment industries but has a much higher crime rate than the rest of the country, a fact that is kept secret from visitors. While other cities in Nevada have higher rates of violent crime, Las Vegas has the most due to its abundance of casinos.

Las Vegas is one of the most hazardous cities in the United States, and travellers should exercise extreme caution there because of the prevalence of organized crime and scam artists that rely on taking advantage of the city’s many tourists.

Robberies and assaults are the two most common types of crime in this state.

Nevada has crime statistics of about 100 homicides, over 23,00 assaults, about 200 rapes and more than 33,000 theft crimes annually.

The state has one of the highest rates of property crime in the country, with over 202,000 offences committed annually.

Texas

Texas was once considered a safe haven for cross-country visitors, but today it is home to numerous criminal gangs that are active across the United States. Texas is one of the most hazardous states in the United States, with particularly high crime rates in major cities like Austin and Houston.

Areas in Texas, such as Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, have a high crime rate due to the presence of criminal gangs such as crips and MS-13.

Unfortunately, only approximately 20% of assaults and robberies are ever reported to the police and hence never make it into national crime statistics.

Although murder is relatively uncommon in this state, it does occur on an annual basis, with an estimated 50-100 homicides contributing to the state’s elevated crime rate.

in Texas and the rapidity with which most violent crimes occur throughout this state.

Idaho

There are numerous different criminal gangs operating in Idaho, each contributing to the state’s high crime rate. These groups go by names like the Aryan Knights, Latin Kings, S.V.C., and many others. Every major city in Idaho reports thousands of attacks annually, making it one of the most hazardous states in the United States.

Criminal Activity in the Gem State

There were over 37,000 violent crimes reported in Idaho in 2019, making it one of the states with the highest crime rates in the country. Its crime rate puts it back in the top five most dangerous states in America.

Every year, there are about 23,000 assaults in Idaho.

At around 110,000 thefts each year, this state is consistently ranked as one of the five most dangerous in the country in terms of property crime rates.

New Mexico

The high rates of crime in New Mexico, especially murders, robberies, and other acts that result in bodily harm, have earned the state a negative reputation. Since criminal groups in New Mexico make the state dangerous even for criminals, it’s best to avoid going there unless you know the area well. New Mexico has an annual murder rate of around 100%, which makes it one of the most deadly states in the United States.

Despite the frequency with which rape occurs, only around 20% of incidents are ever reported to local police. This is so low that it is not even reflected in national crime statistics.

Given the alarming increase in property crimes like robberies and thefts in New Mexico, once you set foot there, it is very likely that you will experience a robbery or theft.

Alaska

Compared to other states, Alaska has a disproportionately high number of complaints of violent crime, especially rape and assault.

Some of the most dangerous places in Alaska can be found in Kotzebue and Anchorage.

In 2018, Alaska had the highest rate of violent crime, at 885 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 380.6 per 100,000. Aggravated assault, as is generally the case, accounts for the great bulk of violent crime in the state.

Alaska also has a disproportionately high rate of rape. With 161.6 rapes per 100,000 residents in 2018, Alaska had the highest rape rate of any state. Places with fewer options for making a living often have a greater concentration of crime. With 6.6% of its workforce unemployed in 2018, Alaska had the highest yearly unemployment rate of any state in the U.S.

Arkansas

Studies have shown that Arkansas is one of the least secure states in the country. It is not exactly the safest state to live in, despite the fact that the violent crime rate dropped by 3.6% between 2017 and 2018. The state’s violent crime rate of 543.6 per 100,000 people in 2018 was much higher than the national rate of 380.6 per 100,000 people.

The concentration of violent crime in a few cities in Arkansas is a major contributor to the state’s overall violent crime rate. For instance, in 2018, there were 1,609.2 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents in Pine Bluff. West Memphis, the state’s deadliest city, had 1,970.2 homicides for every 100,000 residents. It is home to the highest violent and property crime rate in the state.

Louisiana

It’s a well-known fact that the rate of crime in Louisiana is far higher than the national average. Louisiana had the third-highest crime rate among the 50 states in 2019. The crime rate in Louisiana increased by 14% from the previous year, with the violent crime rate rising by the same percentage while the property crime rate fell by 10%. While it’s true that Opelousas isn’t the largest city in Louisiana, it does have the highest rates of both violent crime and burglary. In 2018, there were 25,049 reported violent crimes in Louisiana, making the state the sixth most violent in the U.S. The state of Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the U.S., with 942 adults behind bars for every 100,000 residents aged 18 and up.

Like many other states, low-income neighbourhoods with little employment and educational opportunities often have higher crime rates. Louisiana has a higher percentage of people living in poverty than the rest of the U.S. (18.5 percent vs 13.1 percent). Furthermore, in 2018, the unemployment rate in the state was 4.9%, which was much higher than the national average of 3.9%.

Alabama

With 519.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Alabama has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. Alabama follows the national trend of increased crime rates in economically depressed communities. The poverty rate in this state, at 16.8%, is significantly higher than the national average of 13.1%. Anniston is the most dangerous city in Alabama; therefore, try to avoid going there if at all possible. The state has a disproportionately high rate of aggravated assault and homicide. In 2018, Alabama had the sixth highest rates of both homicides (7.8) and aggravated assault (387.6) per 100,000 residents, respectively.

Missouri

Missouri’s rate of violent crime is among the highest in the U.S., at more than 500 per 100,000 residents. Most of Missouri’s crime occurs in its larger cities. With 10,661 crimes reported for every 100,000 residents, Branson, Missouri, has the state’s highest crime rate. St. Louis is widely regarded as the most dangerous city in Missouri, despite having a very low crime rate (1,927 crimes per 100,000 population). That’s because theft and vandalism account for much of Branson’s high rate, while murder and robbery fuel St. Louis’s high rate.

Murder is at an all-time high in the Show Me State of Missouri. With 9.9 murders per 100,000 residents in 2018, the state ranked second only to Louisiana for the highest murder rate in the country.

South Carolina

Five states in the South are among the most hazardous in the nation, with South Carolina being one of them. In 2018, there were 24,825 violent crimes in the state, which equates to 488.3 per 100,000 residents. That same year, it recorded a total of 392 murder cases. Particularly high rates of aggravated assault and murder can be seen throughout the state. Lake City is the most hazardous municipality in the state. With 1,712 violent crimes per 100,000 population, this community has more than three times the statewide average. In spite of having the highest crime rate in the state at 12,424 per 100,000 population, Myrtle Beach is probably safer than cities like Lake City, where more violent crimes are committed.

In 2018, South Carolina had the sixth-highest murder rate (7.7 per 100,000) and the seventh-highest severe assault rate (362.8 per 100,000) in the United States.

There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Which state do you consider the most dangerous in the U.S.

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