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. Firearm 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. In many major U.S. cities, however, murder rates are far higher than the national average. Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the metro area with the most murders in each state. Metropolitan areas are ranked by their murder rate — the number of reported murders for every 100,000 people in 2020.
It is important to note that in eight states, there is only one eligible metro area with available data. In each of these cases, which are noted, the metro area listed ranks as having the most murders by default only. In two states — Alabama and Pennsylvania — there are no qualifying metro areas with available crime data.
Though each of the metro areas on this list ranks as having the highest murder rate in its respective state, homicide rates in these places vary considerably, from 1.2 murders per 100,000 people to 27.7 per 100,000. Still, in the vast majority of the metro areas on this list, homicide rates exceed the statewide rate.
Despite the rise in homicide nationwide, murder is by far the least common form of violent crime, accounting for less than 2% of all violent crimes. Still, in most of the metro areas on this list, the overall violent crime rate exceeds the rate across the state as a whole.
Click here for the metro area with the highest murder rate in every state
Methodology
To determine the metro area with the most murders in each state, 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 were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though these places were not excluded from analysis. Only metro areas for which the boundaries defined by the FBI match the boundaries as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau were considered.
Additional information on the violent crime rate is also from the 2020 FBI UCR.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Alabama: No eligible metros
> Murders per 100,000 people: N/A (Alabama: 9.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Alabama: 471)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Alabama: 453.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: N/A (Alabama: 4,921,532)
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Source: lippyjr / Getty Images
Alaska: Fairbanks
> Murders per 100,000 people: 9.1 (Alaska: 6.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Alaska: 49)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 841.4 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,922 (Alaska: 731,158)
Source: ianmcdonnell / Getty Images
Arizona: Yuma
> Murders per 100,000 people: 9.2 (Arizona: 6.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 20 (Arizona: 513)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 330.7 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 216,821 (Arizona: 7,421,401)
Arkansas: Pine Bluff
> Murders per 100,000 people: 27.7 (Arkansas: 10.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 24 (Arkansas: 321)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,097.8 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 86,540 (Arkansas: 3,030,522)
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Source: LPETTET / Getty Images
California: Bakersfield
> Murders per 100,000 people: 12.9 (California: 5.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 116 (California: 2,203)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 692.3 (California: 442.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 897,941 (California: 39,368,078)
Source: chapin31 / Getty Images
Colorado: Pueblo
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.7 (Colorado: 5.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 18 (Colorado: 294)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 722.2 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 168,374 (Colorado: 5,807,719)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Connecticut: New Haven-Milford
> Murders per 100,000 people: 6.1 (Connecticut: 3.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 49 (Connecticut: 140)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 256.3 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 799,461 (Connecticut: 3,557,006)
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Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
Delaware: Dover*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 7.1 (Delaware: 7.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 (Delaware: 73)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 442.6 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 183,675 (Delaware: 986,809)
*Because Dover is the only eligible metro in Delaware, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
Florida: Jacksonville
> Murders per 100,000 people: 9.9 (Florida: 5.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 156 (Florida: 1,290)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 499.8 (Florida: 383.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,580,803 (Florida: 21,733,312)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
Georgia: Macon-Bibb County
> Murders per 100,000 people: 19.2 (Georgia: 8.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 44 (Georgia: 943)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 707.9 (Georgia: 400.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 229,395 (Georgia: 10,710,017)
Source: unclegene / Getty Images
Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 3.0 (Hawaii: 2.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Hawaii: 41)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 226.7 (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 167,178 (Hawaii: 1,407,006)
*Because Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina is the only eligible metro in Hawaii, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
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Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images
Idaho: Lewiston
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.7 (Idaho: 2.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Idaho: 41)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 184.4 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 63,436 (Idaho: 1,826,913)
Source: / Flickr
Illinois: Danville
> Murders per 100,000 people: 17.4 (Illinois: 9.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 (Illinois: 1,151)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.3 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 74,737 (Illinois: 12,587,530)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Indiana: Fort Wayne
> Murders per 100,000 people: 9.9 (Indiana: 7.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (Indiana: 505)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 334.9 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 415,629 (Indiana: 6,754,953)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Iowa: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island
> Murders per 100,000 people: 6.9 (Iowa: 3.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 26 (Iowa: 111)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 475.9 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 377,817 (Iowa: 3,163,561)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Kansas: Manhattan*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.6 (Kansas: 3.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Kansas: 100)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 376.1 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 130,281 (Kansas: 2,913,805)
*Because Manhattan is the only eligible metro in Kansas, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
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Source: Jacqueline Nix / Getty Images
Kentucky: Bowling Green
> Murders per 100,000 people: 6.1 (Kentucky: 7.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 (Kentucky: 323)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 188.0 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 181,430 (Kentucky: 4,477,251)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
Louisiana: New Orleans-Metairie
> Murders per 100,000 people: 21.7 (Louisiana: 15.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 277 (Louisiana: 734)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 624.3 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,275,017 (Louisiana: 4,645,318)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Maine: Bangor
> Murders per 100,000 people: 3.9 (Maine: 1.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Maine: 22)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 57.7 (Maine: 108.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 152,409 (Maine: 1,350,141)
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Maryland: California-Lexington Park*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 7.0 (Maryland: 9.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 (Maryland: 553)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 196.4 (Maryland: 399.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 114,031 (Maryland: 6,055,802)
*Because California-Lexington Park is the only eligible metro in Maryland, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Massachusetts: Springfield
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.0 (Massachusetts: 2.3)
> Murders reported in 2020: 28 (Massachusetts: 160)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 463.4 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 693,972 (Massachusetts: 6,893,574)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Michigan: Flint
> Murders per 100,000 people: 18.6 (Michigan: 7.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 75 (Michigan: 754)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 577.6 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 402,374 (Michigan: 9,966,555)
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Source: Andy445 / Getty Images
Minnesota: Rochester
> Murders per 100,000 people: 2.7 (Minnesota: 3.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Minnesota: 190)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 187.6 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 222,817 (Minnesota: 5,657,342)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Mississippi: Hattiesburg*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 5.9 (Mississippi: 10.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 (Mississippi: 315)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 249.8 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 168,941 (Mississippi: 2,966,786)
*Because Hattiesburg is the only eligible metro in Mississippi, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Missouri: St. Louis
> Murders per 100,000 people: 14.3 (Missouri: 11.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 402 (Missouri: 723)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 497.0 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,802,055 (Missouri: 6,151,548)
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
Montana: Billings
> Murders per 100,000 people: 8.2 (Montana: 5.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 15 (Montana: 54)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 627.1 (Montana: 469.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 183,705 (Montana: 1,080,577)
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Source: f1monaco31 / Getty Images
Nebraska: Omaha-Council Bluffs
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.6 (Nebraska: 3.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 44 (Nebraska: 69)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 429.7 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 954,892 (Nebraska: 1,937,552)
Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images
Nevada: Reno
> Murders per 100,000 people: 5.6 (Nevada: 5.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 27 (Nevada: 180)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 462.9 (Nevada: 460.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 483,469 (Nevada: 3,138,259)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 1.2 (New Hampshire: 0.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (New Hampshire: 12)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 217.7 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 419,347 (New Hampshire: 1,366,275)
*Because Manchester-Nashua is the only eligible metro in New Hampshire, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
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Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images
New Jersey: Trenton-Princeton
> Murders per 100,000 people: 11.2 (New Jersey: 3.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (New Jersey: 329)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 358.6 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 367,006 (New Jersey: 8,882,371)
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
New Mexico: Albuquerque
> Murders per 100,000 people: 9.4 (New Mexico: 7.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 87 (New Mexico: 164)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,006.4 (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 923,729 (New Mexico: 2,106,319)
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Source: Jacek_Sopotnicki / Getty Images
New York: Buffalo-Cheektowaga
> Murders per 100,000 people: 7.1 (New York: 4.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 79 (New York: 808)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 378.3 (New York: 363.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,119,988 (New York: 19,336,776)
Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images
North Carolina: Greensboro-High Point
> Murders per 100,000 people: 12.2 (North Carolina: 8.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 95 (North Carolina: 852)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 576.2 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 777,379 (North Carolina: 10,600,823)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
North Dakota: Grand Forks
> Murders per 100,000 people: 6.0 (North Dakota: 4.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (North Dakota: 32)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 232.6 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 100,189 (North Dakota: 765,309)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Ohio: Cleveland-Elyria
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.3 (Ohio: 7.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 210 (Ohio: 820)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 440.6 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,042,966 (Ohio: 11,693,217)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Oklahoma: Lawton
> Murders per 100,000 people: 12.7 (Oklahoma: 7.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 (Oklahoma: 296)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 603.0 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 125,862 (Oklahoma: 3,980,783)
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Oregon: Grants Pass
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.3 (Oregon: 2.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 (Oregon: 125)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 287.7 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 87,577 (Oregon: 4,241,507)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
Pennsylvania: No eligible metros
> Murders per 100,000 people: N/A (Pennsylvania: 7.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Pennsylvania: 1,009)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: N/A (Pennsylvania: 12,783,254)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 2.5 (Rhode Island: 3.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (Rhode Island: 32)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 285.6 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,621,159 (Rhode Island: 1,057,125)
*Because Providence-Warwick is the only eligible metro in Rhode Island, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
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Source: makasana / Getty Images
South Carolina: Sumter
> Murders per 100,000 people: 19.9 (South Carolina: 10.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 28 (South Carolina: 549)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 812.0 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 140,399 (South Carolina: 5,218,040)
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
South Dakota: Rapid City
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.4 (South Dakota: 4.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 15 (South Dakota: 40)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 665.1 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 143,884 (South Dakota: 892,717)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Tennessee: Memphis
> Murders per 100,000 people: 24.2 (Tennessee: 9.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 327 (Tennessee: 663)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,358.8 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,348,509 (Tennessee: 6,886,834)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Texas: Odessa
> Murders per 100,000 people: 11.2 (Texas: 6.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 19 (Texas: 1,931)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 697.1 (Texas: 446.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 169,268 (Texas: 29,360,759)
Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
Utah: Salt Lake City
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.8 (Utah: 3.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 60 (Utah: 102)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 384.0 (Utah: 260.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,246,234 (Utah: 3,249,879)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington*
> Murders per 100,000 people: 2.3 (Vermont: 2.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Vermont: 14)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 198.4 (Vermont: 173.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 221,248 (Vermont: 623,347)
*Because Burlington-South Burlington is the only eligible metro in Vermont, it is the metro with the most murders by default.
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Virginia: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.3 (Virginia: 6.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 183 (Virginia: 524)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 351.8 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,773,594 (Virginia: 8,590,563)
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Source: BehindTheLens / Getty Images
Washington: Yakima
> Murders per 100,000 people: 8.4 (Washington: 3.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 21 (Washington: 301)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 385.2 (Washington: 293.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 250,785 (Washington: 7,693,612)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
West Virginia: Charleston
> Murders per 100,000 people: 11.8 (West Virginia: 6.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 30 (West Virginia: 117)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 536.3 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 254,717 (West Virginia: 1,784,787)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Milwaukee-Waukesha
> Murders per 100,000 people: 13.1 (Wisconsin: 5.3)
> Murders reported in 2020: 206 (Wisconsin: 308)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 678.2 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,575,891 (Wisconsin: 5,832,655)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Wyoming: Casper
> Murders per 100,000 people: 5.0 (Wyoming: 3.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Wyoming: 18)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 227.0 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 80,625 (Wyoming: 582,328)
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