10 Most Dangerous Cities in Mississippi (2025 Crime Data)

Looking at a move or planning a road trip through the Magnolia State? Before packing the car, it helps to know where crime hits hardest. Below is a fresh look at the most dangerous cities in Mississippi—a list that often overlaps with what locals call the 10 most ghetto cities in Mississippi. We use the newest numbers released in late 2024 and early 2025, then explain how to stay safe no matter where you go.

What City in Mississippi Has the Most Crime?

Fresh 2025 numbers show about 1,000 violent crimes and nearly 5,000 property crimes for every 100,000 people in Laurel—more than any other city in the state. So, while Jackson makes headlines for murders, the overall risk of being robbed, assaulted, or having your car stolen is greatest in Laurel.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Mississippi

The short list below ranks the 10 most dangerous cities in Mississippi by their combined violent and property crime rates per 1,000 residents. Each sketch is about 100 words, so you can skim fast.

1. Laurel

Clocking in at 60 crimes per 1,000 residents, Laurel tops this year’s danger chart. Violent offenses run 10.2/1,000—five times the statewide average—and property crime roars at 49.3/1,000. Car thieves stay busy too; the odds of losing a vehicle sit at 1 in 229. Rapes, assaults, and break‑ins cluster near downtown and older mill neighborhoods, fueled by low wages and drug traffic.

2. Jackson

Mississippi’s capital reports 40.5 crimes per 1,000. Violent incidents reach 5.2/1,000, while property crime surges to 35.3/1,000. Motor‑vehicle theft is a standout risk, 1 in 160, the worst in the state. Despite a drop in yearly homicides, gun assaults and robberies keep Jackson on every high‑risk list.

3. Pascagoula

Industry along the Gulf brings jobs, and a 43.2/1,000 crime rate. Property theft is the main issue (41/1,000), with porch piracy and shoplifting around Denny Avenue retail strips. Violent crime is lower at 2.2/1,000, but murder figures outpace many towns of its size. Your chance of a stolen car is 1 in 288.

4. Vicksburg

Civil War history meets modern‑day risk: 39.6 crimes per 1,000. Violent crime stands at 6.3/1,000 and property crime at 33.3/1,000. Car theft odds are 1 in 277. Break‑ins rise near casino corridors and older riverfront housing, while aggravated assaults spike on summer weekends.

5. Natchez

Tourists flock to antebellum homes, yet residents face 39.5 crimes per 1,000. Violent offenses run 4.8/1,000; property crimes sit at 34.7/1,000. Police link most burglaries to drug‑related quick cash needs. Downtown sees pick‑pocketing during festival season, so keep valuables close.

6. Meridian

Meridian records 32.6 crimes per 1,000. Violent crime is 3.5/1,000, but motor‑vehicle theft risk—1 in 262—is among Mississippi’s highest. Long stretches of I‑20 feed quick getaway routes for car rentals. Property crime reaches 29.1/1,000, with repeat break‑ins in older East End blocks.

7. Greenwood

BestPlaces indexes tag Greenwood with a violent‑crime score of 35.9 (U.S. norm 22.7) and a property‑crime score of 80.4 (U.S. norm 35.4). Locals blame a stubborn drug trade and limited youth jobs. Shootings cluster near abandoned Delta cotton warehouses, while catalytic‑converter thefts spike along Hwy‑82 car lots.

8. Moss Point

The ship‑building town posts 22.7 crimes per 1,000—low beside Laurel, yet high for a city its size. Violent crime is 2.0/1,000, but property offenses hit 20.7/1,000, and car theft runs 1 in 243. Police cite unsecured driveways and unlocked pickups as prime targets.

9. Gautier

With 25 crimes per 1,000 residents (violent 3; property 22), Gautier’s numbers beat Pascagoula but still outpace the state average. Highway 90 traffic feeds smash‑and‑grab burglaries, while payday‑week robberies pop near casino shuttle stops. Locals recommend motion lights and steering‑wheel locks.

10. McComb

McComb logs 18.1 crimes per 1,000—the “least bad” on this tough list. Violent crime registers 3.4/1,000 and property theft 14.7/1,000. Police credit community patrols for holding numbers down, yet holiday shoplifting waves and catalytic‑converter thefts keep residents on edge.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Mississippi?

Before naming names, it helps to know the scorecard. We pull fresh numbers from the FBI and state crime dashboards, then weigh violent attacks, break‑ins, and car thefts against each city’s population. This “per‑1,000‑people” view lets a small town and a big capital compete on level ground, so the rankings feel fair and useful.

• FBI NIBRS 2023 figures (released Oct 2024)
• Mississippi Department of Public Safety 2024 dashboards
• NeighborhoodScout and BestPlaces city profiles
• Violent‑crime rate (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 1,000 residents.
• Property‑crime rate (burglary, larceny, motor‑vehicle theft, arson) per 1,000.
• Population size to avoid punishing very small towns for one bad month.
• Per‑capita “total crime” for an apples‑to‑apples comparison.
• Motor‑vehicle theft odds as a quick fear gauge.

Common Crimes in Mississippi's Dangerous Cities

From porch pirates nabbing packages to late‑night gun assaults outside corner stores, the same offenses keep popping up in police logs. A quick look at these patterns shows why some towns land on every “worst” list year after year.

• Aggravated assaults remain widespread in these cities and frequently involve the use of firearms.
• Residential burglars usually pick houses with older wooden doors because they are easy to pry open.
• Shoplifting and petty larceny are common, and thieves quickly resell the stolen goods on social‑media sites.
• Motor‑vehicle theft often targets pickups, Dodge Chargers, and Kias more than other car models.
• Drug possession and street‑level dealing occur regularly, with meth common up north and cocaine plus fentanyl near the coast.

How to Stay Safe in the Worst Places to Live in Mississippi?

Risk is real, but smart habits go a long way. Locking cars, adding porch lights, and knowing which blocks to avoid after dark can slash your odds of becoming a target. The tips below come straight from police advice and what locals say works on the ground.

• Lock everything, every time: Half of the stolen cars were left running or unlocked.
• Add light: Cheap LED motion lights around porches cut break‑ins by double‑digits, say police.
• Stay aware after dark: Most shootings and robberies happen between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
• Park smart: Use steering‑wheel bars and park under cameras in high‑theft lots.
• Watch your phone: Map routes before leaving, so you can keep your eyes up in unfamiliar blocks.
• Call in what you see: Anonymous tips on suspicious cars or gunshots help thin‑staffed departments.

For those living in Mississipi, installing an security camera or video doorbell can be a great way to ensure safety around your property.

FAQs

Where to avoid in Mississippi?

Travelers should steer clear of late‑night side streets in Laurel, Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District after 10 p.m., and Pascagoula’s Denny Avenue motels. High theft pockets exist near casino riverfronts in Vicksburg and Natchez.

What is the safest city in Mississippi?

Current FBI numbers tag Madison as the standout. With roughly 7 crimes per 1,000 people, it sits far below the national median, thanks to active neighborhood watch groups and well‑funded policing.

What is the poorest area in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Delta counties—including Leflore (home to Greenwood) and Holmes—record the state’s lowest median household incomes, often under $28,000 a year. Poverty links closely with higher property‑crime rates seen in our list.

Conclusion

Mississippi’s crime picture varies street by street. Laurel, Jackson, and Pascagoula lead the 10 most dangerous cities in Mississippi, while smaller towns like McComb still land on watch lists. Whether locals label them the 10 most ghetto cities in Mississippi or simply high‑risk, the stats show clear patterns: violent crime clusters in economic stress zones, and property crime follows unlocked cars and dimly lit porches. Check the numbers, share this guide, and drop your own experiences in the comments—local insight can help everyone travel smarter and live safer.