Crime rates are on the rise in various cities across the United States, with both violent and property crime being major concerns. According to recent data, Memphis, St. Louis, and Oakland are among the most dangerous cities in America in 2023. If you want to know more about the top ten cities with the highest rates of violent crime, keep reading.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America (2023)
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- Memphis, Tennessee
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Oakland, California
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Baltimore, Maryland
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Detroit, Michigan
- Lubbock, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- Stockton, California
1. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee has earned the title of the most dangerous city in America. Its population of 628,127 experiences a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. Shockingly, this translates to 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with a disproportionately high incidence of violent crimes. In 2022 alone, there were 15,318 incidents of violent crime, which included 289 cases of murder, 2,134 instances of robbery, and 12,484 cases of assault.
Memphis has some neighborhoods that pose more danger than others. Among these neighborhoods are Shelby-Forest Frayser, Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and White Haven-Coro Lake. It is important to exercise caution when visiting or residing in these areas to ensure personal safety and security.
2. St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri takes the second spot as the most dangerous city in the USA. The city has a population of 239,210 and its crime rate is 234% higher than the national average. Shockingly, St. Louis has reported 7,847 crimes per 100,000 people, including 6,107 violent crimes and 17,399 property crimes in 2020. Out of the 6,107 violent crimes, there were 263 murder cases, 1,242 robbery cases, and 4,278 assault cases. The statistics show that the residents of St. Louis have a 1 in 50 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, making it a highly dangerous city to live in.
St. Louis has some neighborhoods that are known for being dangerous. Among them are Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park West, and College Hill. These areas should be approached with caution.
3. Oakland, California
Oakland, situated to the east of San Francisco, is widely recognized as one of the most perilous cities not only in California but also across the nation. With a population of 433,823, Oakland has a crime rate of 6,459 per 100,000, which is 175% higher than the national average and 150% higher than California. Shockingly, in 2022 alone, there were 5,714 violent incidents, which included 103 murders, 2,515 robberies, and 2,730 assaults. The majority of the violence in Oakland is a result of gang violence.
North Stonehurst, South Stonehurst, Caballo Hills, and South Prescott are considered to be the most hazardous neighborhoods in Oakland.
4. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is considered one of the most dangerous cities in America. With a population of 562,599, the city has a crime rate of 6,356 per 100,000 people, which is 171% higher than the national average. In 2022 alone, there were 7,552 violent crimes, including 80 murders, 1,439 robberies, and 5,592 assaults. Shockingly, the chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Albuquerque is 1 in 75. Property crimes are also a significant issue in the city, with 5,075 burglaries, 18,131 incidents of theft, and 4,965 vehicle thefts recorded in 2022.
Albuquerque’s Quigley Park, La Mesa, Jackson Area, and Crestview Bluff are considered the most perilous neighborhoods.
5. Baltimore, Maryland
With a population of 567,498, Baltimore is notorious for being one of the most dangerous cities in America, with a violent crime rate of 6,170 per 100k people. The 2020 statistics reveal a staggering 9,532 incidents of violent crime and 18,370 incidents of property crime, resulting in an overall chance of becoming a victim of 1 in 17. Baltimore’s violent crime rate remains particularly high, with 177 homicides recorded in the first six months of 2022. Sadly, much of the violent crime in Baltimore is gang and drug-related.
Baltimore’s Cherry Hill, West Baltimore, Greenmount East, Fairfield Area, and Pulaski neighborhoods are considered the most perilous areas in the city.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is ranked as the sixth most dangerous city in the US. With a population of 376,971, it has a crime rate of 5,864 per 100,000 people, which is 150% higher than the national average. In 2020, the city reported 5,221 violent crimes, resulting in a chance of 1 in 74 of becoming a victim. Among these crimes were 201 murders, 1,106 robberies, and 3,200 assaults. Additionally, there were 18,098 property crimes, including 2,039 burglaries and 3,526 cases of vehicular assault.
New Orleans has three neighborhoods that are considered the most dangerous: Lower 9th Ward, Wake Lake Forest, and Pines Village.
7. Detroit, Michigan
With its high crime rates, Detroit has earned the reputation of being one of the most dangerous cities in America. The city, with a population of 632,464, has a crime rate of 5,389 per 100,000 residents, which is 130% higher than the national average. Shockingly, the probability of being a victim of a violent crime in Detroit is 1 in 44, with 14,430 violent crimes reported in 2022 alone. Among these crimes, there were 330 cases of murder, 1,850 cases of robbery, and 11,565 cases of assault. Furthermore, there were 21,258 property crimes reported in Detroit in 2022.
Franklin Park, Fiskhorn, Warrendale, Von Steuben, and Greensbriar are the neighborhoods in Detroit that are considered the most dangerous.
Lubbock, Texas is considered one of the most perilous cities in the US. The city, with a population of 260,993, has a crime rate that surpasses the national average by 121%. In 2022, Lubbock reported 5,263 crimes for every 100,000 individuals, out of which 2,856 were violent crimes. Shockingly, 28 murders, 431 robberies, and 2,169 assaults were reported in the violent crimes category. The probability of falling prey to violent crimes in Lubbock is 1 in 90. Additionally, the city witnessed 13,858 incidents of property crime.
According to recent statistics, Jackson, Tech Terrace, Chatman Park, Maxey, and Dunbar are the most perilous neighborhoods in Lubbock.
9. Stockton, California
Living in Stockton, California can be quite risky as it is considered one of the most dangerous places in America. The city’s population of 322,120 experiences a high crime rate of 4,259 per 100,000 people, making it 82% more dangerous than the national average. In 2022, the chances of falling victim to violent crime were 1 in 79, with a recorded 4,047 incidents. Shockingly, this number included 56 murders, 918 robberies, and 2,883 assaults.
Stockton has several neighborhoods that are considered the most dangerous. These include Civic Center, Park, Lakeview, and Seaport.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is notorious for being one of the most dangerous and violent cities in the United States. It frequently appears in the news for its high crime rates. The city has a population of 2,746,388 and a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000 people, making it 67% more dangerous than the national average. Shockingly, in 2020, there were 26,620 violent crimes, which included 774 murders. The majority of violent crimes in Chicago are linked to gang violence and conflict, which is intricately connected to the drug trade.
Gangs in Chicago tend to operate in specific neighborhoods, which are often the epicenter of gang-related violence. The South Side and West Side of Chicago are widely recognized as the most dangerous areas in the city. The neighborhoods where the danger is most prevalent include Englewood, Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, and Washington Park.
More News: The Top 10 States with the Highest Level of Danger in the US (2023)
