Most Dangerous Cities in America

Some cities in America are quite dangerous because of the crime rate. And if you are visiting, moving, or living there, you need to be extra careful.

In this article, we will talk about the most dangerous cities in America. We will list the cities and the commonly committed crimes. We will also talk about the government initiatives to reduce crime and what you can do to protect yourself and your property.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America 2024

Here are the top 10 most dangerous cities in America with high crime rates.

1. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is considered the most dangerous city in the US with a crime rate of 98 incidents per 1,000 people. Out of that, the violent crime rate is 24.37 per 1,000 people. The common crimes in the city involve assault, robbery, murder, rape, drug dealing, etc. It also has a property crime rate of 73.27 per 1,000 residents. If you are in Memphis, there is a 10% chance of becoming a victim.

2. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis secures the second place with a crime rate of 87 per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim of the crime is 1in 68. Some common crimes are assault, robbery, property crimes, motor vehicle theft, etc.

3. Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock has a crime rate of 72 per 1,000 people. The violent crime rate of the city is 18 per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 55. The city has high crime rates for murder, motor vehicle theft, and property crimes.

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis has a crime rate of 66 per 1,000 people. 7,518 assault offenses and 2,095 burglary cases were reported in 2023. Most importantly, 6,324 motor vehicle theft cases. Some common crimes include robbery, rape, murder, and aggravated assault.

5. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is notorious in Michigan for a high crime rate of 66 per 1,000 residents. The violent crime rate is 20, while the property crime rate is 45 per 1,000 people. Your chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 49.

6. Kansas City, Missouri

In 2022, the reported violent crimes in Kansas City were 1,481 out of 100,000 residents. And the property crime was 4728 per 100,000 people. Your chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 67.

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

The crime index of New Orleans is 67.56, while the safety index is 32.44. The level of the crime is quite high during the daylight and at night. Your chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 69.

8. Cleveland, Ohio

The crime rate in Cleveland is 60 per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim of property or violent crimes is 1 in 17. However, in 2024, Homicides are down by 20%.

9. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama, is another high crime rate city with a rate of 59 per 1,000 people. The crime rate of violent crimes is 16.9 and property is 8,437 per 1,000 people. Your chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 59. The most reported cases are of assault, robbery, rape, and murder.

10. Houston, Texas

Houston also has a very high crime rate compared to the cities in America. It’s safer than 2% of the cities. The crime rate is 57 per 1,000 residents. Your chance of becoming a victim of the crime is 1 in 88.

Types of Commonly Committed Crimes

Here are some commonly committed crimes in the cities of the US.

• Assault: It is the most committed crime, and you will notice a very high rate in all the most dangerous cities in America. Aggravated assaults result in bodily injury or harm. The total number of violent crimes in 2022 was 6,513,829.

• Larceny theft: It is another common crime in the US. Larceny theft is quite high with a total of 4,672,363 incidents. It includes burglary, robbery, fraud, theft, etc.

• Murder: It is a violent crime, and the rate of murder in dangerous cities is high.
  Rape: 133, 294 rape cases were reported in the year 2022. It shows sexual assault is another common crime.

• Motor Vehicle Theft: In many cities, especially the dangerous ones, motor vehicle theft is extremely common.

• Drug Crimes: Almost all cities and states have drug crimes at different levels. It could involve manufacturing, illegal trafficking, and possession.

Community and Government Initiatives in Dangerous Cities in America

In all dangerous cities in America, the authorities try to mitigate the crime and properly report the cases with an increase and drop percentage every year and month.

Community policing is the key as it involves the authorities and the residents. For instance, Coffee with a Cop is an event held in all 50 states of America. It builds relationships between the cops and the people they serve. It proved to be helpful in reducing the crime rates in cities.

A noticeable issue in all these high-crime cities is the low income of the people. The state authorities have tried economic development initiatives, which involve training, education, etc.

Other than these, there are gun control measures, youth programs, drug control, etc., to reduce the crime rate and make the city safer.

How to Protect Yourself and Property in Dangerous City of America?

While the city is doing its job, you also need to take care of yourself and your property. Let’s see how you can do that.

How to Protect Yourself in Dangerous City of America?

• Make a good bond with your neighbors as they could be the first to help in case of any issue.
• Be extra careful with strangers, and do not trust anyone you don’t know
• Use public transportation to ensure your safety
• Learn to self-defense as it can be helpful in certain circumstances
• Avoid the crime hotspots and choose other routes

How to Protect Property in Dangerous City of America?

Here are some security tips for your property.

Install a Security System

Installing a security system is essential. You can go with Altas PT Ultra. It’s a Wi-Fi 6 camera that offers 4K videos with exceptional clarity and details. It also has ColorX night vision to record colorful videos even at night. You can monitor 360⁰with it from any location without any subscription. It detects motion and tracks objects automatically. You receive real-time alerts on your device, and you can remotely view the live preview and talk to the person. It works on battery power and records continuous videos for up to eight days.

Secure Doors and Windows

You must secure your doors and windows with smart locks, sensors, etc. Burglars usually enter from these locations.

Use Outdoor Lighting

The outdoors of your house should be well-lit. It allows you to see everything clearly, and no one dares to come nearby or hide.

Keep Valuables Out of Sight

When you are away, keep valuables out of sight. They should not be visible from your windows or doors.

FAQs

1. What US city has the highest crime rate?

As of 2024, Detroit (Michigan) has the highest crime rate. It is one of the most dangerous cities in the US.

2. What is the safest city in the USA?

Naperville could be the safest city in the US. It has an overall crime rate of only 9 per 1,000 residents. Other cities could be Lehi, Nashua, and Gilbert.

3. Which state has the most murders?

The highest homicide rates in 2022 were in Mississippi followed by Louisiana, Alabama, and New Mexico.

Conclusion

Some cities are quite dangerous in the US due to their high crime rate. When you visit or live in any of the cities, you must ensure your safety on your own. Take safety measures for yourself and your property. Be aware of the news and what’s happening in your surroundings, and in case of any issue, reach out to the police.