24/7 Wall St.

Violence in the United States has steadily declined for several decades. While the violent crime rate has fallen considerably — from 685 incidents reported per 100,000 Americans in 1995 to the current rate of 383 incidents per 100,000 — the national violent crime rate rose 3.0% last year.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime rates in each state from data collected through the FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report Program. Violent crime includes all offenses involving force or threat of force and are broken into four categories: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These crimes are more common in some states than in others.

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Across the nation, violent crime levels range from 118 incidents per 100,000 people in Vermont, to 730 incidents reported for every 100,000 people in Alaska.

Click here to see every state, from safest to most dangerous.

In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Nancy G. La Vigne, director of the Justice Policy Center at public policy research organization Urban Institute, said, “crime clusters not just within major metropolitan areas but even within cities.” For this reason, La Vigne noted, it is very difficult to draw conclusions from statewide trends alone.

Violent crime is considerably more common in urban centers than elsewhere. While it is not always the case, violent crime rates in states can be largely attributed to high crime levels in the states’ cities. States with relatively low violent crime rates tend to be home to fewer, less dangerous, cities.

There appears to be a relationship between socioeconomic factors and crime levels. As La Vigne said, “People who engage in criminal behavior often may do so because of an absence of opportunity.” While the relationship is somewhat tenuous and controversial, unemployment rates tend to be relatively high in states with high violent crime rates while the opposite is true in states with low levels of violence.

Local factors are perhaps better drivers and predictors of violence. By seeking to address some of the roots of crime, state policies can help reduce a state’s crime levels. La Vigne noted sets of reforms that focus on reducing recidivism as one example of policies that can improve public safety. According to a federally funded 2014 study by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, “Reducing Recidivism: States Deliver Results,” some states have had success lowering recidivism with state-level policies.

The violent crime rate increased in all of the nation’s most dangerous states. In seven of the 10 states, the violent crime rate increased faster than the nationwide uptick of 3.0% between 2014 and 2015. In Alaska, Missouri, and Alabama, the increase exceeded 10%.

To identify the 10 most dangerous states, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the number of violent crimes reported per 100,000 people (the violent crime rate) in each state from the FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report. The total number and rates of murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, which are included in the violent crime rate, as well as burglaries, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson — all classified as property crime — also came from the FBI’s report. We considered these data for each year from 2011 through 2015. Annual unemployment rates for 2015 came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Median household income, poverty rates, the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree, population, and the percentage of adults with at least a high school diploma came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey.

Here is every state, from safest to most dangerous.

Source: Thinkstock

50. Vermont
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 118.0
> Total population: 626,042 (2nd lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 10.0 (the fewest)
> Poverty rate: 10.2% (4th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

49. Maine
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 130.1
> Total population: 1,329,328 (9th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 23.0 (6th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 13.4% (22nd lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

48. Virginia
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 195.6
> Total population: 8,382,993 (12th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 383.0 (16th most)
> Poverty rate: 11.2% (11th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

47. New Hampshire
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 199.3
> Total population: 1,330,608 (10th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 14.0 (2nd fewest)
> Poverty rate: 8.2% (the lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

46. Idaho
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 215.6
> Total population: 1,654,930 (12th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 32.0 (9th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 15.1% (20th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

45. Connecticut
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 218.5
> Total population: 3,590,886 (22nd lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 117.0 (19th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 10.5% (6th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

44. Kentucky
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 218.7
> Total population: 4,425,092 (25th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 209.0 (25th most)
> Poverty rate: 18.5% (5th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

43. Wyoming
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 222.1
> Total population: 586,107 (the lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 16.0 (3rd fewest)
> Poverty rate: 11.1% (10th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

42. Utah
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 236.0
> Total population: 2,995,919 (20th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 54.0 (11th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 11.3% (12th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

41. North Dakota
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 239.4
> Total population: 756,928 (4th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 21.0 (5th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (9th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

40. Rhode Island
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 242.5
> Total population: 1,056,298 (8th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 29.0 (7th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 13.9% (25th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

39. Minnesota
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 242.6
> Total population: 5,489,594 (21st highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 133.0 (22nd fewest)
> Poverty rate: 10.2% (4th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

38. New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 255.4
> Total population: 8,958,013 (11th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 363.0 (18th most)
> Poverty rate: 10.8% (8th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

37. Oregon
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 259.8
> Total population: 4,028,977 (24th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 99.0 (17th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (17th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

36. Nebraska
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 274.9
> Total population: 1,896,190 (14th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 62.0 (13th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 12.6% (19th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

35. Mississippi
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 275.8
> Total population: 2,992,333 (19th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 259.0 (21st most)
> Poverty rate: 22.0% (the highest)

Source: Thinkstock

34. Washington
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 284.4
> Total population: 7,170,351 (13th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 211.0 (24th most)
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (17th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

33. Iowa
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 286.1
> Total population: 3,123,899 (21st lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 72.0 (16th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (17th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

32. Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 291.9
> Total population: 11,613,423 (7th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 500.0 (12th most)
> Poverty rate: 14.8% (21st highest)

Source: Thinkstock

31. Hawaii
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 293.4
> Total population: 1,431,603 (11th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 19.0 (4th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 10.6% (7th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

30. Wisconsin
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 305.8
> Total population: 5,771,337 (20th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 240.0 (22nd most)
> Poverty rate: 12.1% (15th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

29. Pennsylvania
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 315.1
> Total population: 12,802,503 (6th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 658.0 (5th most)
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (21st lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

28. Colorado
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 321.0
> Total population: 5,456,574 (22nd highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 176.0 (23rd fewest)
> Poverty rate: 11.5% (14th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

27. West Virginia
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 337.9
> Total population: 1,844,128 (13th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 70.0 (15th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 17.9% (7th highest)

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26. North Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 347.0
> Total population: 10,042,802 (9th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 517.0 (9th most)
> Poverty rate: 16.4% (12th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

25. Montana
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 349.6
> Total population: 1,032,949 (7th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 36.0 (10th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 14.6% (24th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

24. Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 378.3
> Total population: 10,214,860 (8th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 615.0 (6th most)
> Poverty rate: 17.0% (9th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

23. New York
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 379.7
> Total population: 19,795,791 (4th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 609.0 (7th most)
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (17th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

22. South Dakota
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 383.1
> Total population: 858,469 (5th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 32.0 (9th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 13.7% (24th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

21. Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 383.8
> Total population: 12,859,995 (5th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 744.0 (4th most)
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (23rd lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

20. Indiana
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 387.5
> Total population: 6,619,680 (16th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 373.0 (17th most)
> Poverty rate: 14.5% (25th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

19. Kansas
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 389.9
> Total population: 2,911,641 (17th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 128.0 (21st fewest)
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (20th lowest)

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18. Massachusetts
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 390.9
> Total population: 6,794,422 (15th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 128.0 (21st fewest)
> Poverty rate: 11.5% (14th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

17. Arizona
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 410.2
> Total population: 6,828,065 (14th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 309.0 (20th most)
> Poverty rate: 17.4% (8th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

16. Texas
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 412.2
> Total population: 27,469,114 (2nd highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 1316.0 (2nd most)
> Poverty rate: 15.9% (14th highest)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

15. Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 415.5
> Total population: 9,922,576 (10th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 571.0 (8th most)
> Poverty rate: 15.8% (15th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

14. Oklahoma
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 422.0
> Total population: 3,911,338 (23rd lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 234.0 (23rd most)
> Poverty rate: 16.1% (13th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

13. California
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 426.3
> Total population: 39,144,818 (the highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 1861.0 (the most)
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (19th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

12. Maryland
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 457.2
> Total population: 6,006,401 (19th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 516.0 (10th most)
> Poverty rate: 9.7% (2nd lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

11. Florida
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 461.9
> Total population: 20,271,272 (3rd highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 1041.0 (3rd most)
> Poverty rate: 15.7% (16th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

10. Alabama
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 472.4
> Total population: 4,858,979 (24th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 348.0 (19th most)
> Poverty rate: 18.5% (5th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

9. Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 497.4
> Total population: 6,083,672 (18th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 502.0 (11th most)
> Poverty rate: 14.8% (21st highest)

Source: Thinkstock

8. Delaware
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 499.0
> Total population: 945,934 (6th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 63.0 (14th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 12.4% (18th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

7. South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 504.5
> Total population: 4,896,146 (23rd highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 399.0 (15th most)
> Poverty rate: 16.6% (11th highest)

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6. Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 521.3
> Total population: 2,978,204 (18th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 181.0 (25th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 19.1% (4th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

5. Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 539.7
> Total population: 4,670,724 (25th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 481.0 (13th most)
> Poverty rate: 19.6% (3rd highest)

Source: Thinkstock

4. Tennessee
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 612.1
> Total population: 6,600,299 (17th highest)
> Total 2015 murders: 406.0 (14th most)
> Poverty rate: 16.7% (10th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

3. New Mexico
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 656.1
> Total population: 2,085,109 (15th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 117.0 (19th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (2nd highest)

Source: Thinkstock

2. Nevada
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 695.9
> Total population: 2,890,845 (16th lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 178.0 (24th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 14.7% (23rd highest)

Source: Thinkstock

1. Alaska
> Violent crimes per 100,000: 730.2
> Total population: 738,432 (3rd lowest)
> Total 2015 murders: 59.0 (12th fewest)
> Poverty rate: 10.3% (5th lowest)