15 American Cities Where Crime Has Got Out of Control
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to crime in the United States. On the positive side, recent data from the FBI shows that both violent and property crime fell 3% and 2.4% last year, respectively.
The bad news is crime remains a significant problem – especially in specific urban areas around the country. Whether you’re planning a vacation, relocating, or just interested in the current landscape of safety in America, you’ll want to know about them. In no particular order, here are 15 US cities where crime has gotten out of control.
1. Birmingham, Alabama
Founded on land containing all the raw materials required to produce iron and steel, Birmingham was once a bustling industrial center that expanded at such a rate it earned the nickname, Magic City.
These days, despite its many attributes, it’s commonly listed as one of America’s most dangerous places. At the time of writing, a shooting in its entertainment district had just left four people dead and 17 injured.
2. Memphis, Tennessee
Named after the capital of ancient Egypt, Memphis is a storied riverside city with a strong musical heritage. Unfortunately, despite a prosperous past, it’s down on its luck. High poverty rates, population decline, and crime are a few of its biggest challenges. For example, there were 399 homicides in 2023 – a record number for the third year out of four.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy is known for its gastronomic delights, beautiful architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. However, it definitely has an underbelly. New Orleans’s overall crime rate is high, and it also has an unfortunate claim to fame. According to USAfacts.org, it had the highest murder rate in its home county than any other major American city in 2022.
4. St. Louis, Missouri
This diverse city on the Mississippi River has excellent food, a rich history of blues music, the iconic Gateway Arch, and much more. In recent times, though, it’s also been labeled America’s most dangerous city. Despite signs of improvement, violent crimes in St. Louis still number 1,484.3 per 100,000 people, which is significantly higher than average.
5. Cleveland, Ohio
This rustbelt city in Northeast Ohio was once a major iron, steel, and oil producer. Alas, deindustrialization and suburbanization after World War II prompted a downturn in its fortunes.
Although things are improving, particularly in terms of healthcare (Cleveland boasts one of the best hospitals in the country), crime is an ongoing problem. US News says it experiences 1,621.1 violent felonies and 4,341.3 property crimes per 100,000 people.
6. Little Rock, Arkansas
On one hand, Little Rock is a bustling place with lively market districts, the Clinton Presidential Center, access to the Ozark Mountains, and strong ties to the civil rights movement. On the other, rates of poverty and crime far exceed the national average. In 2022, there were over 1,833 and 5,350 violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, respectively.
7. Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis has a lot going for it. It’s home to the infamous Indy 500 motor race, dozens of leading cultural attractions, and thousands of acres of beautiful green space.
The city has come a long way since the departure of automobile manufacturing left its economy reeling in the mid-20thcentury. Still, crime sours the mood. Recent data shows there are around 1,027 violent crimes and 3,376 property crimes per 100,000 people.
8. Stockton, California
This historic port city on California’s San Joaquin River was once a hub of gold mining activity. Sadly, the 2008 financial crisis hit Stockton hard, and it went bankrupt a few years later.
It’s been trying to recover ever since, but rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime remain high. According to US News, Stockon experiences over 1,158 and 2,748 violent and property crimes per 100,000 people each year, respectively.
9. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit thrived as an industrial town famous for manufacturing automobiles (hence its nickname The Motor City). When the industry slumped in the seventies and eighties, though, the city suffered with it.
The good news is life there today looks very different from its darkest days. Nevertheless, Detroit’s crime rate still has a way to go. In 2022, there were over 2,027 violent felonies and 4,487 property crimes per 100,000 people.
10. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Officially founded in 1706 by Spanish colonists, New Mexico’s most populous city is a historic place. It’s known for having blissful weather, too, and the beautiful Sandia Mountains add to its appeal.
Life in Albuquerque isn’t all sunshine and roses, though. Despite positive changes, Albuquerque’s rate of violent and property crime in 2022 were 1,328.9 and 4,750.8 per 100,000 people, respectively.
11. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Located on the banks of mighty Lake Michigan and with three rivers converging there, Milwaukee is a waterfront metropolis and Wisconsin’s largest city. Its trajectory over the last century has mirrored that of other Rustbelt cities. It boomed thanks to its industrial pedigree but went bust with the demise of manufacturing.
Various socioeconomic issues ensued, and crime has been a problem ever since. In 2022, Milwaukee experienced1,520.1 violent crimes and 3,267 property crimes per 100,000 people.
12. Kansas City, Missouri
High unemployment, poverty, and staff shortages in the police force all contribute to Kansas City’s rising crime levels. According to the Kansas City Star, last year was its deadliest on record. There were 185 killings in the city and 240 homicides across the metro area.
That paints an unfair picture, though. Kansas has its problems, but it’s also big and vibrant, with iconic sports franchises like the Chiefs, an incredible jazz culture, and some of the best barbecue in the country.
13. Baltimore, Maryland
By now, you’ll have noticed a theme. Many US cities struggling with the highest crime levels were those worst hit by deindustrialization. Baltimore is no exception.
Another rustbelt city with a proud past and huge potential, the demise of manufacturing and the suburbanization that followed led to urban decay from which it’s still recovering. In 2022, Baltimore experienced 1,605.5 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 3,347.3 property crimes.
14. Bessemer, Alabama
According to Neighborhood Scout, Bessemer has a crime rate of 92 per 1,000 residents, and you have a one in 55 chance of becoming a victim of a violent felony.
They’re scary numbers, but it would be a shame if they defined the city for you. Despite its challenges, other reports suggest life in Bessemer is far removed from the picture those crime statistics may paint.
15. Denver, Colorado
Amazing weather and close proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes the Mile High City a haven for nature lovers. It has a gritty side, though.
With a rate of 1,072.5 per 100,000 people, violent crime in Denver is worse than similar-sized metro areas in America but better than many other cities on this list. The same can’t be said for property crime, though. In 2022, there were a whopping 6,433.2 of them per 100,000 people.
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