The U.S. murder rate is at its highest level in nearly two and half decades. A total of 21,570 murders were committed nationwide in 2020, up nearly 30% from the previous year — the largest annual increase on record.
The rash of deadly violence came during a tumultuous year in American history. The COVID-19 pandemic led to school closures and left millions of Americans out of work. The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. Firearms sales soared, resulting in the proliferation of tens of millions of new guns. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging.
Some experts speculate that each of these factors likely played a role in the rising homicide rate. While it may be years before the precise causal factors are identified, the effects are being felt in communities across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists homicide as a contributing factor in the historic 1.5 year decline in life expectancy in the U.S. last year — trailing only COVID-19 and accidental deaths, like drug overdoses, in significance.
Currently, the national murder rate stands at 6.5 homicides for every 100,000 people. At the state level, however, murder rates vary considerably. Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most murders. States are ranked on their murder rate — or the number of reported murders for every 100,000 people in 2020.
The states with the lowest homicide rates tend to be concentrated in the Northeast, particularly in the New England region. Meanwhile, the states with the highest rates of deadly violence are disproportionately located in the South.
Despite the rise in homicide nationwide, murder is by far the least common form of violent crime — accounting for less than 2% of all criminal violence nationwide. Still, states with higher-than-average homicide rates typically have high overall violent crime rates as well.
Click here to see the state with the most murder
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
50. New Hampshire
> Murder rate: 0.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 12 (the lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 146.4 (2nd lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,366,275 (10th lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
49. Maine
> Murder rate: 1.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 22 (4th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 108.6 (the lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,350,141 (9th lowest)
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48. Idaho
> Murder rate: 2.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (8th lowest — tied)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 242.6 (9th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,826,913 (13th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
47. Vermont
> Murder rate: 2.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 (2nd lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 173.4 (3rd lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 623,347 (2nd lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
46. Massachusetts
> Murder rate: 2.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 160 (20th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 308.8 (19th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,893,574 (15th highest)
Source: Art Wager / Getty Images
45. Hawaii
> Murder rate: 2.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (8th lowest — tied)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 254.2 (10th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,407,006 (11th lowest)
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44. Oregon
> Murder rate: 2.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 125 (18th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 291.9 (15th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,241,507 (24th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
43. Rhode Island
> Murder rate: 3.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 32 (5th lowest — tied)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 230.8 (7th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,057,125 (7th lowest)
Source: collins_family / Flickr
42. Wyoming
> Murder rate: 3.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 18 (3rd lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 234.2 (8th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 582,328 (the lowest)
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41. Utah
> Murder rate: 3.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 102 (15th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 260.7 (12th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,249,879 (21st lowest)
Source: culbertson / Getty Images
40. Minnesota
> Murder rate: 3.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 190 (23rd lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 277.5 (13th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,657,342 (22nd highest)
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39. Kansas
> Murder rate: 3.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 100 (14th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 425.0 (19th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,913,805 (16th lowest)
Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
38. Iowa
> Murder rate: 3.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 111 (16th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 303.5 (17th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,163,561 (20th lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
37. Nebraska
> Murder rate: 3.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 69 (12th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 334.1 (22nd lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,937,552 (14th lowest)
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36. New Jersey
> Murder rate: 3.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 329 (20th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 195.4 (5th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,882,371 (11th highest)
Source: PhilAugustavo / E+ via Getty Images
35. Washington
> Murder rate: 3.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 301 (25th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 293.7 (16th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,693,612 (13th highest)
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34. Connecticut
> Murder rate: 3.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 140 (19th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 181.6 (4th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,557,006 (22nd lowest)
Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images
33. New York
> Murder rate: 4.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 808 (9th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 363.8 (25th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 19,336,776 (4th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
32. North Dakota
> Murder rate: 4.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 32 (5th lowest — tied)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 329.0 (21st lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 765,309 (4th lowest)
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31. South Dakota
> Murder rate: 4.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 40 (7th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 501.4 (8th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 892,717 (5th lowest)
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
30. Montana
> Murder rate: 5.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 54 (11th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 469.8 (11th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,080,577 (8th lowest)
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29. Colorado
> Murder rate: 5.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 294 (24th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 423.1 (20th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,807,719 (21st highest)
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28. Wisconsin
> Murder rate: 5.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 308 (24th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 323.4 (20th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,832,655 (20th highest)
Source: SpVVK / Getty Images
27. California
> Murder rate: 5.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2,203 (the highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 442.0 (16th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 39,368,078 (the highest)
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26. Nevada
> Murder rate: 5.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 180 (22nd lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 460.3 (12th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,138,259 (19th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
25. Florida
> Murder rate: 5.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 1,290 (3rd highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 383.6 (25th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,733,312 (3rd highest)
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24. Virginia
> Murder rate: 6.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 524 (16th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 208.7 (6th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,590,563 (12th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
23. West Virginia
> Murder rate: 6.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 117 (17th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 355.9 (23rd lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,784,787 (12th lowest)
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
22. Texas
> Murder rate: 6.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 1,931 (2nd highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 446.5 (15th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,360,759 (2nd highest)
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21. Alaska
> Murder rate: 6.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 49 (10th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 837.8 (the highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 731,158 (3rd lowest)
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20. Arizona
> Murder rate: 6.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 513 (17th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 484.8 (9th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,421,401 (14th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
19. Ohio
> Murder rate: 7.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 820 (8th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 308.8 (18th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,693,217 (7th highest)
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18. Kentucky
> Murder rate: 7.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 323 (21st highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 259.1 (11th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,477,251 (25th lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
17. Delaware
> Murder rate: 7.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 73 (13th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 431.9 (17th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 986,809 (6th lowest)
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16. Oklahoma
> Murder rate: 7.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 296 (25th lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 458.6 (13th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,980,783 (23rd lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
15. Indiana
> Murder rate: 7.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 505 (18th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 357.7 (24th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,754,953 (17th highest)
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14. Michigan
> Murder rate: 7.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 754 (10th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 478.0 (10th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,966,555 (10th highest)
Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images
13. New Mexico
> Murder rate: 7.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 164 (21st lowest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 778.3 (2nd highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,106,319 (15th lowest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
12. Pennsylvania
> Murder rate: 7.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 1,009 (5th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 389.5 (24th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,783,254 (5th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
11. North Carolina
> Murder rate: 8.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 852 (7th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 419.3 (21st highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,600,823 (9th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Georgia
> Murder rate: 8.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 943 (6th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 400.1 (22nd highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,710,017 (8th highest)
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9. Maryland
> Murder rate: 9.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 553 (14th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 399.9 (23rd highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,055,802 (19th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
8. Illinois
> Murder rate: 9.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 1,151 (4th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 425.9 (18th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,587,530 (6th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
7. Alabama
> Murder rate: 9.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 471 (19th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 453.6 (14th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,921,532 (24th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
6. Tennessee
> Murder rate: 9.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 663 (13th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 672.7 (3rd highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,886,834 (16th highest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
5. South Carolina
> Murder rate: 10.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 549 (15th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 530.7 (7th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,218,040 (23rd highest)
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4. Arkansas
> Murder rate: 10.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 321 (22nd highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 671.9 (4th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,030,522 (18th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
3. Mississippi
> Murder rate: 10.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 315 (23rd highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 291.2 (14th lowest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,966,786 (17th lowest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
2. Missouri
> Murder rate: 11.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 723 (12th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 542.7 (6th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,151,548 (18th highest)
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
1. Louisiana
> Murder rate: 15.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 734 (11th highest)
> Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 639.4 (5th highest)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,645,318 (25th highest)
Methodology
To determine the states with the most murders, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed murder figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. The rate of murders per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though these places were not excluded from analysis.
Additional information on the violent crime rate and the population within the jurisdictions reporting figures to the FBI are also from the 2020 FBI UCR.
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