The U.S. violent crime rate — an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rаpe, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — climbed by 5% in 2020. The increase was driven by a rise in aggravated assault and, most notably, a historic 29% surge in homicides that made 2020 the deadliest year in the United States since the mid-1990s.
Despite the largest single-year increase in homicides on record, the overall violent crime rate remains relatively low by historical standards. There were 1.3 million violent crimes reported in the U.S. in 2020, or 399 for every 100,000 people. For context, the national violent crime rate ranged between 523 and 758 incidents per 100,000 throughout the 1990s.
Of course, crime is a local phenomenon influenced by a wide range of factors at the community and even household level. As a result, violent crime rates in the U.S. can vary considerably from place to place — and in some towns, rates of violence far exceed the nation-level highs recorded in decades past.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most dangerous town in each state. Towns are ranked by the violent crime rate — specifically, the number of violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents. We defined towns based on population thresholds, having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people. In Hawaii, there are no eligible towns with available crime data.
Though each of the places on this list ranks as the most dangerous in its state, violent crime rates vary considerably, from as low as 269 incidents per 100,000 people to as high as 4,205 per 100,000. Still, in nearly every town on this list, violent crime rates exceed the comparable rate across the state as a whole.
Explanations for the high levels of violence in these places are varied and complex. Major current events that have impacted the entire country — such as the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest fueled by the murder of George Floyd — have likely played a role in some places. Other factors, such as a lack of economic opportunity, are more endemic.
Low-income communities in the United States are disproportionately burdened by crime. One study found that individuals with family incomes of less than $15,000 annually are three times more likely to be victimized by crime than those with family incomes of $75,000 or more. In most towns on this list, the share of residents living on poverty-level income exceeds the comparable statewide poverty rate. Here is a look at the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.
Click here to see the most dangerous town in every state
To determine the most dangerous town in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rаpe, robbery, and aggravated assault. The rate of violent crimes per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people — using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though areas in these states were not excluded from analysis.
Additional information on the number of murders is also from the 2020 FBI UCR. Poverty rates are five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
Alabama: Eufaula
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 821.2 (Alabama: 453.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 95 (Alabama: 22,322)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Alabama: 471)
> Poverty rate: 30.6% (Alabama: 16.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,568
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Alaska: Nome
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 4,205.1 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 164 (Alaska: 6,126)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Alaska: 49)
> Poverty rate: 7.5% (Alaska: 10.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,900
Source: Xacto / iStock via Getty Images
Arizona: South Tucson
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,974.5 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 113 (Arizona: 35,980)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Arizona: 513)
> Poverty rate: 43.7% (Arizona: 15.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,723
Source: Philip Rozenski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Arkansas: Osceola
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,987.6 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 195 (Arkansas: 20,363)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Arkansas: 321)
> Poverty rate: 27.5% (Arkansas: 17.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,527
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California: Needles
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,602.6 (California: 442.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 80 (California: 174,026)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (California: 2,203)
> Poverty rate: 25.9% (California: 13.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,992
Colorado: Glendale
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 934.6 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 49 (Colorado: 24,570)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Colorado: 294)
> Poverty rate: 10.2% (Colorado: 10.3%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,243
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Connecticut: Derby
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 268.7 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 33 (Connecticut: 6,459)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Connecticut: 140)
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (Connecticut: 9.9%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,281
Delaware: Seaford
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,080.4 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 88 (Delaware: 4,262)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Delaware: 73)
> Poverty rate: 18.3% (Delaware: 11.8%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,145
Florida: Florida City
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,908.8 (Florida: 383.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 344 (Florida: 83,368)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Florida: 1,290)
> Poverty rate: 40.0% (Florida: 14.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,826
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Georgia: College Park
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,756.1 (Georgia: 400.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 267 (Georgia: 42,850)
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 (Georgia: 943)
> Poverty rate: 29.5% (Georgia: 15.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,204
Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
Hawaii: No eligible towns
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Number of violent crimes: N/A (Hawaii: 3,576)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Hawaii: 41)
> Poverty rate: N/A (Hawaii: 9.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: N/A
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Idaho: Garden City
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 695.1 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 84 (Idaho: 4,432)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Idaho: 41)
> Poverty rate: 13.8% (Idaho: 13.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,084
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Illinois: Havana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,523.4 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 45 (Illinois: 53,612)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Illinois: 1,151)
> Poverty rate: 17.3% (Illinois: 12.5%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,954
Source: William Reagan / iStock via Getty Images
Indiana: Clinton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,027.8 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 48 (Indiana: 24,161)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Indiana: 505)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (Indiana: 13.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,670
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Iowa: Carter Lake
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,162.8 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 44 (Iowa: 9,601)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Iowa: 111)
> Poverty rate: 19.4% (Iowa: 11.5%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,784
Kansas: Independence
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,094.6 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 92 (Kansas: 12,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Kansas: 100)
> Poverty rate: 17.6% (Kansas: 12.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,405
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Kentucky: Oak Grove
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 575.4 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 42 (Kentucky: 11,600)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Kentucky: 323)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (Kentucky: 17.3%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,299
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Louisiana: Opelousas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,370.4 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 375 (Louisiana: 29,704)
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 (Louisiana: 734)
> Poverty rate: 43.3% (Louisiana: 19.2%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,820
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Maine: Augusta
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 402.1 (Maine: 108.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 75 (Maine: 1,466)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Maine: 22)
> Poverty rate: 18.8% (Maine: 11.8%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 18,653
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Maryland: Takoma Park
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 342.1 (Maryland: 399.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 61 (Maryland: 24,215)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Maryland: 553)
> Poverty rate: 8.8% (Maryland: 9.2%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 17,831
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Massachusetts: Provincetown
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 712.6 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 21 (Massachusetts: 21,288)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Massachusetts: 160)
> Poverty rate: 10.3% (Massachusetts: 10.3%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,947
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Michigan: Benton Harbor
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 3,192.6 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 310 (Michigan: 47,641)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Michigan: 754)
> Poverty rate: 45.4% (Michigan: 14.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,710
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
Minnesota: Bemidji
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 603.8 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 94 (Minnesota: 15,698)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Minnesota: 190)
> Poverty rate: 31.3% (Minnesota: 9.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,567
Mississippi: Cleveland
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 886.3 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 97 (Mississippi: 8,638)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Mississippi: 315)
> Poverty rate: 27.7% (Mississippi: 20.3%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,944
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Missouri: Bellefontaine Neighbors
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,989.2 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 206 (Missouri: 33,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Missouri: 723)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (Missouri: 13.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,356
Source: lucentius / iStock via Getty Images
Montana: Wolf Point
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,202.6 (Montana: 469.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 33 (Montana: 5,077)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Montana: 54)
> Poverty rate: 28.3% (Montana: 13.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,744
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Nebraska: Crete
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 799.0 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 56 (Nebraska: 6,473)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Nebraska: 69)
> Poverty rate: 26.1% (Nebraska: 11.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,009
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Nevada: West Wendover
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 869.0 (Nevada: 460.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 37 (Nevada: 14,445)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Nevada: 180)
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (Nevada: 13.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,258
New Hampshire: Hinsdale
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 282.6 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 11 (New Hampshire: 2,000)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (New Hampshire: 12)
> Poverty rate: 15.6% (New Hampshire: 7.6%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,893
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New Jersey: Salem
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,059.6 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 96 (New Jersey: 17,353)
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 (New Jersey: 329)
> Poverty rate: 42.2% (New Jersey: 10.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,661
Source: Greg Meland / iStock via Getty Images
New Mexico: Gallup
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,775.4 (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 381 (New Mexico: 16,393)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (New Mexico: 164)
> Poverty rate: 28.4% (New Mexico: 19.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,460
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New York: Oneida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 617.6 (New York: 363.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 67 (New York: 70,339)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (New York: 808)
> Poverty rate: 14.5% (New York: 14.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,849
North Carolina: Wadesboro
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,375.0 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 124 (North Carolina: 44,451)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (North Carolina: 852)
> Poverty rate: 32.3% (North Carolina: 14.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,221
North Dakota: Devils Lake
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 367.9 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 27 (North Dakota: 2,518)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (North Dakota: 32)
> Poverty rate: 17.0% (North Dakota: 10.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,339
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Ohio: Mount Healthy
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,040.3 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 70 (Ohio: 36,104)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Ohio: 820)
> Poverty rate: 12.8% (Ohio: 14.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,729
Oklahoma: Del City
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 993.1 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 216 (Oklahoma: 18,255)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Oklahoma: 296)
> Poverty rate: 14.4% (Oklahoma: 15.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,750
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Oregon: Ontario
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 657.4 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 72 (Oregon: 12,380)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Oregon: 125)
> Poverty rate: 27.3% (Oregon: 13.2%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,952
Pennsylvania: Aliquippa
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 432.8 (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 38 (Pennsylvania: 49,793)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Pennsylvania: 1,009)
> Poverty rate: 34.0% (Pennsylvania: 12.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,780
Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Rhode Island: Central Falls
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 455.7 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 89 (Rhode Island: 2,440)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Rhode Island: 32)
> Poverty rate: 30.2% (Rhode Island: 12.4%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 19,530
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South Carolina: Barnwell
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,405.1 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 102 (South Carolina: 27,691)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (South Carolina: 549)
> Poverty rate: 37.5% (South Carolina: 15.2%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,241
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
South Dakota: Pierre
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 921.7 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 128 (South Dakota: 4,476)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (South Dakota: 40)
> Poverty rate: 13.8% (South Dakota: 13.1%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 13,888
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Tennessee: Bolivar
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,248.6 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 110 (Tennessee: 46,328)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Tennessee: 663)
> Poverty rate: 27.9% (Tennessee: 15.2%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,892
Texas: Palmview
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,860.1 (Texas: 446.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 108 (Texas: 131,084)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Texas: 1,931)
> Poverty rate: 29.6% (Texas: 14.7%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,806
Utah: Moab
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 876.5 (Utah: 260.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 47 (Utah: 8,471)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Utah: 102)
> Poverty rate: 13.8% (Utah: 9.8%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,362
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Vermont: Newport
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 686.9 (Vermont: 173.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 29 (Vermont: 1,081)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Vermont: 14)
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (Vermont: 10.9%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,222
Virginia: South Hill
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 485.9 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 21 (Virginia: 17,925)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Virginia: 524)
> Poverty rate: 23.5% (Virginia: 10.6%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,322
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Washington: Fife
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,378.5 (Washington: 293.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 142 (Washington: 22,596)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Washington: 301)
> Poverty rate: 12.1% (Washington: 10.8%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,301
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West Virginia: Bluefield
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,173.6 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 112 (West Virginia: 6,352)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (West Virginia: 117)
> Poverty rate: 18.7% (West Virginia: 17.6%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,543
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Wisconsin: West Milwaukee
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,053.7 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 43 (Wisconsin: 18,861)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Wisconsin: 308)
> Poverty rate: 14.9% (Wisconsin: 11.3%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,081
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Wyoming: Riverton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 547.7 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 59 (Wyoming: 1,364)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Wyoming: 18)
> Poverty rate: 12.7% (Wyoming: 11.0%)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,772
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