Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US 

The USA, commonly known as “The land of the free,” is a country rich in culture, entertainment, skylines, and scenic beauty. The nation has made significant progress over the years in a number of fields, including healthcare, research, building infrastructure, finance, and so forth. But while freedom has fueled a great deal of progress in the nation, it has also contributed to a rise in violent and other types of crime. When planning a trip, especially if you’re traveling alone, it’s important to know which cities have the highest potential for crime, even though there are plenty of reasons for the rise in crime. Here are the top 10 most dangerous cities in the US.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US

1. Memphis, TN

The birthplace of the blues and rock ‘n roll, this city ranks among the most dangerous cities in the US. Memphis has a remarkably high rate of violent crime—7,913 crimes per 100,000 people—despite having a population of approximately 700,000. 12,484 assaults, 2,134 robberies, and 289 murders were among the 15,318 heinous crime incidents that occurred in 2022. White Haven-Coro Lake, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, Shelby-Forest Frayser, and Downtown are a few of its riskiest neighbourhoods.

2. St. Louis, MO

The Gateway Arch, a well-known US landmark, is the reason for this large Midwestern town’s fame. The city’s high crime rate is partly due to its darker side.  St. Louis, home to roughly 300,000 people, has a crime rate of 7,847 per 100,000 people. In 2020, there were 17,399 property crimes and 6,107 violent crimes recorded. Among the 6,107 acts of violence, included 263 murder cases, 1,242 robbery cases, and 4,278 assault cases. Notably risky neighbourhoods include College Hill, Walnut Park West, Peabody-Darst-Webbe, and Hamilton Heights.

3. Oakland, California

Oakland is well-known for its magnificent beaches, gardens, and parks, as well as for Lake Merritt and the Fox and Paramount theaters. Regretfully, the city’s greatest bane is the increased crime rate. Oakland, home to 433,823 people, has a violent crime rate of 6,459 per 100,000 people. There were 2,515 robberies, 2,730 assaults, and 103 murders among the 5,714 armed crimes that occurred in 2022. Gang violence is largely to blame for Oakland’s violence. Watch out for South Prescott, Caballo Hills, North Stonehurst, and South Stonehurst.

4. Albuquerque, NM

The city is recognized for its extensive past, menu of classic Mexican cuisine, desert climate, and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It doesn’t matter that the crime rate has somewhat dropped in recent years. There are 6,356 crimes for every 100,000 residents in Albuquerque, a city with 572,864 residents. 7,552 violent crimes were reported in 2022, with 1,439 robberies, 5,592 assaults, and 80 murders. The odds of falling victim to a violent crime are 1 in 75 overall. There is a lot of danger in the Quigley Park, La Mesa, Jackson Area, and Crestview Bluff neighbourhoods.

5. Baltimore, MD

In addition to having excellent crab cakes and an abundance of marine life, Baltimore is the origins of the National Anthem. Regretfully, the city is also well known for having a high crime rate. With 567,498 residents, its violent crime rate is 6,170 per 100,000. Baltimore has a notably high rate of violent crime; in the first half of 2022, there were 177 homicides. Baltimore’s violent crime rate is largely caused by gang and drug-related issues. It is particularly risky in the areas of Cherry Hill, West Baltimore, Greenmount East, Fairfield Area, and Pulaski.

6. Rockford, IL

Called the “Forest City,” this city draws a lot of tourists with its wonderful blend of natural and urban beauty. Regretfully, it is routinely ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the US. There are about 330,000 people living there, and the crime rate is 39 per 1,000. However, your odds of falling victim to a violent crime are one in 71. Using public transit and concealing valuables from view are safer options in this area, where pickpocketing, burglary, and mugging incidents are twice as common as in other places. 

7. Detroit, MI

Although Detroit has had significant financial success following its bankruptcy, it remains one of the most dangerous cities in the US and struggles to control its high crime rate. With 632,464 residents, Detroit has 5,389 crimes committed per 100,000 people. In 2022, 14,430 violent crimes were reported, meaning that the odds of becoming a victim of one are 1 in 44. A total of 11,565 assault counts, 1,850 robbery counts, and 330 murder counts were included in that figure. Furthermore, in 2022, there were also 21,258 property offenses.

8. Anchorage, AK

Large mountains and wide areas set aside for wintertime skiing and other snow-related activities make Anchorage a popular city with lots of people. However, there are also a fair number of crimes associated with it. With 291,073 inhabitants, the city carries 11.40 crime rate per 1,000 people. Women travelers are frequently more vulnerable to violent attacks in Alaska due to the state’s developing problems with alcoholism and domestic abuse. The robbery rate is nearly 60 percent more than the national average, so even if it has large areas, it is still a city. Be on the lookout for pickpockets and muggings.

9. Stockton, CA

The Haggin Museum, the trails in Oak Grove Regional Park, and Stockton Arena are some of the city’s well-known attractions. But in recent months, crime rates—particularly gun violence—have begun to rise once more.  There are 4,259 crimes for every 100,000 residents in Stockton, a city of 322,120 residents. With 4,047 occurrences, the likelihood of falling victim to violent crime in 2022 was 1 in 79. Out of that total, there were 2,883 assaults, 918 robberies, and 56 homicides.

10. Chicago, IL

Chicago has a higher total crime rate than the US average, particularly when it comes to violent crime. The crime rate in the city is influenced by gangs. Chicago boasts an 8.9 million population, and its crime rate is 3,926 per 100,000. As of the end of June 2022, there had been 1,255 shootings and 310 homicides in the city. Gang warfare and violence are largely responsible for violent crime and are strongly associated with the drug trade. East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Austin, Englewood, and Washington Park are among the riskiest areas in Chicago.

Conclusion

So, those were the top 10 most dangerous cities in the US. These cities rank among the most hazardous in the country because of their high rates of crime and the degree of risk they represent to both locals and visitors. It is important to know the location you desire to visit in advance if you plan to go or relocate from one of these cities.

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