Cases of aggravated assault spiked by 12% in the United States in 2020. The increase, which was the driving force behind the 5% year-over-year uptick in the overall U.S. violent crime rate, pushed the aggravated assault rate to its highest level in over a decade.
According to the FBI, aggravated assault is an unlawful physical attack on one person by another with the purpose of causing severe injury or harm. Aggravated assaults are often carried out using a deadly weapon, such as a knife, handgun, or blunt object. Most cases of aggravated assault are committed in private residences, though a large share also take place on public streets or sidewalks.Â
Aggravated assault is by far the most commonly reported violent crime in the United States, accounting for about 70% of the 1.3 million violent offenses reported in 2020. Rates of aggravated assault vary across the country, however, and in some places, aggravated assault is far more common than in others.Â
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 metro areas with the most aggravated assault cases. Metropolitan areas are ranked by their aggravated assault rate — specifically, the number of reported aggravated assault cases for every 100,000 residents.Â
The aggravated assault rate nationwide stands at 280 per 100,000. Among the metro areas on this list, aggravated assault rates are considerably higher and range from 440 reported incidents per 100,000 people to as many as 1,123 incidents per 100,000.
Aggravated assault is one of four broad categories of violent crime — along with rĐ°pe, robbery, and homicide — and every metro area on this list also has a higher than average overall violent crime rate.Â
Click here to see the metros with the most assaults
Click here to see our detailed methodology
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50. Fresno, CA
> Assaults per 100k people: 439.7
> Number of assaults: 4,383 — 32nd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 596.7 — 47th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 20.6% — 14th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 996,752 — 41st highest of 291 metros
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49. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
> Assaults per 100k people: 440.2
> Number of assaults: 1,724 — 76th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 605.7 — 43rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.0% — 88th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 391,609 — 102nd highest of 291 metros
Source: danthi66 / Getty Images
48. Hot Springs, AR
> Assaults per 100k people: 444.1
> Number of assaults: 443 — 100th lowest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 583.4 — 49th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 17.4% — 46th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 99,763 — 20th lowest of 291 metros
Source: Geoff Eccles / Getty Images
47. Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
> Assaults per 100k people: 444.3
> Number of assaults: 430 — 98th lowest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 549.7 — 59th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.0% — 65th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 96,785 — 18th lowest of 291 metros
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46. Baton Rouge, LA
> Assaults per 100k people: 445.5
> Number of assaults: 3,810 — 34th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 565.9 — 53rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.0% — 86th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 855,151 — 50th highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
45. Fayetteville, NC
> Assaults per 100k people: 446.6
> Number of assaults: 2,372 — 51st highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 553.2 — 58th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 17.9% — 37th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 531,101 — 79th highest of 291 metros
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44. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 448.8
> Number of assaults: 19,336 — 3rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 570.2 — 52nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.6% — 141st lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,308,550 — 8th highest of 291 metros
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43. Flint, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 450.3
> Number of assaults: 1,812 — 70th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 577.6 — 50th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.5% — 55th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 402,374 — 98th highest of 291 metros
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
> Assaults per 100k people: 463.7
> Number of assaults: 9,131 — 13th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 616.3 — 40th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 55th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,969,367 — 24th highest of 291 metros
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41. Merced, CA
> Assaults per 100k people: 468.8
> Number of assaults: 1,300 — 96th highest of 291 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 598.6 — 46th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.8% — 52nd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 277,305 — 132nd highest of 291 metros
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40. Pueblo, CO
> Assaults per 100k people: 469.8
> Number of assaults: 791 — 135th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 722.2 — 20th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 17.9% — 38th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 168,374 — 92nd lowest of 291 metros
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39. Cleveland, TN
> Assaults per 100k people: 472.2
> Number of assaults: 595 — 131st lowest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 563.5 — 54th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.2% — 83rd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 125,999 — 52nd lowest of 291 metros
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38. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
> Assaults per 100k people: 484.3
> Number of assaults: 7,632 — 17th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 678.2 — 25th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.8% — 110th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,575,891 — 28th highest of 291 metros
Source: mcpuckette / iStock via Getty Images
37. Fort Smith, AR-OK
> Assaults per 100k people: 488.8
> Number of assaults: 1,225 — 104th highest of 291 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 614.9 — 41st highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 19.4% — 23rd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 250,603 — 145th highest of 291 metros
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36. Billings, MT
> Assaults per 100k people: 490.5
> Number of assaults: 901 — 125th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 627.1 — 37th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.7% — 107th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 183,705 — 116th lowest of 291 metros
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35. Springfield, IL
> Assaults per 100k people: 490.8
> Number of assaults: 1,008 — 116th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 666.5 — 27th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.2% — 128th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 205,389 — 126th lowest of 291 metros
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34. Springfield, MO
> Assaults per 100k people: 491.7
> Number of assaults: 2,330 — 54th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 631.6 — 36th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.4% — 79th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 473,913 — 86th highest of 291 metros
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33. Chattanooga, TN-GA
> Assaults per 100k people: 497.1
> Number of assaults: 2,829 — 45th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 612.7 — 42nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.7% — 143rd lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 569,147 — 75th highest of 291 metros
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32. Jonesboro, AR
> Assaults per 100k people: 503.0
> Number of assaults: 681 — 143rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 659.6 — 33rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 18.9% — 27th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 135,377 — 59th lowest of 291 metros
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31. Kokomo, IN
> Assaults per 100k people: 508.2
> Number of assaults: 419 — 96th lowest of 291 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 604.0 — 44th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.9% — 112th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 82,444 — 11th lowest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
30. Amarillo, TX
> Assaults per 100k people: 508.9
> Number of assaults: 1,352 — 93rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 672.6 — 26th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 14.4% — 95th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 265,667 — 140th highest of 291 metros
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29. Stockton, CA
> Assaults per 100k people: 509.4
> Number of assaults: 3,888 — 33rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 722.8 — 19th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.7% — 115th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 763,250 — 60th highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
28. Bakersfield, CA
> Assaults per 100k people: 509.9
> Number of assaults: 4,579 — 29th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 692.3 — 23rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 19.1% — 25th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 897,941 — 45th highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
27. Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 515.0
> Number of assaults: 1,369 — 92nd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 663.3 — 31st highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.4% — 123rd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 265,804 — 139th highest of 291 metros
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26. South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 515.3
> Number of assaults: 1,668 — 80th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 655.2 — 34th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.9% — 67th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 323,697 — 117th highest of 291 metros
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25. Farmington, NM
> Assaults per 100k people: 517.8
> Number of assaults: 640 — 139th lowest of 291 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 661.0 — 32nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 21.2% — 11th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 123,608 — 45th lowest of 291 metros
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24. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
> Assaults per 100k people: 525.4
> Number of assaults: 2,064 — 62nd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 683.0 — 24th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 22.2% — 9th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 392,827 — 101st highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
23. Odessa, TX
> Assaults per 100k people: 527.0
> Number of assaults: 892 — 127th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 697.1 — 22nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.4% — 69th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 169,268 — 94th lowest of 291 metros
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22. Jackson, TN
> Assaults per 100k people: 529.9
> Number of assaults: 946 — 122nd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 624.6 — 38th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.0% — 64th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 178,525 — 108th lowest of 291 metros
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21. Niles, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 535.7
> Number of assaults: 817 — 130th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 664.2 — 29th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.2% — 61st highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 152,517 — 81st lowest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
20. Battle Creek, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 541.5
> Number of assaults: 723 — 139th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 663.6 — 30th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.4% — 122nd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 133,509 — 58th lowest of 291 metros
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19. Corpus Christi, TX
> Assaults per 100k people: 545.1
> Number of assaults: 2,346 — 53rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 738.0 — 18th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.6% — 73rd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 430,354 — 94th highest of 291 metros
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
18. Macon-Bibb County, GA
> Assaults per 100k people: 558.0
> Number of assaults: 1,280 — 98th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 707.9 — 21st highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 19.2% — 24th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 229,395 — 140th lowest of 291 metros
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
17. Gainesville, FL
> Assaults per 100k people: 565.7
> Number of assaults: 1,872 — 68th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 760.3 — 17th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 18.5% — 32nd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 330,910 — 112th highest of 291 metros
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16. Rockford, IL
> Assaults per 100k people: 610.9
> Number of assaults: 2,034 — 64th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 770.7 — 16th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.1% — 62nd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 332,940 — 110th highest of 291 metros
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15. Fairbanks, AK
> Assaults per 100k people: 625.7
> Number of assaults: 206 — 42nd lowest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 841.4 — 12th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 5.9% — 3rd lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,922 — the lowest of 291 metros
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14. Saginaw, MI
> Assaults per 100k people: 653.3
> Number of assaults: 1,234 — 102nd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 794.6 — 14th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 19.0% — 26th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 188,889 — 118th lowest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
13. Lake Charles, LA
> Assaults per 100k people: 674.9
> Number of assaults: 1,423 — 88th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 788.7 — 15th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 20.4% — 18th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 210,851 — 129th lowest of 291 metros
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12. Sumter, SC
> Assaults per 100k people: 693.7
> Number of assaults: 974 — 118th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 812.0 — 13th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 19.4% — 21st highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 140,399 — 66th lowest of 291 metros
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11. Lubbock, TX
> Assaults per 100k people: 695.8
> Number of assaults: 2,259 — 56th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 919.4 — 10th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 18.3% — 34th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 324,679 — 114th highest of 291 metros
Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images
10. Florence, SC
> Assaults per 100k people: 704.2
> Number of assaults: 1,444 — 87th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 860.2 — 11th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.9% — 51st highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 205,067 — 125th lowest of 291 metros
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9. Albuquerque, NM
> Assaults per 100k people: 764.1
> Number of assaults: 7,058 — 20th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,006.4 — 7th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.5% — 77th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 923,729 — 44th highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
8. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
> Assaults per 100k people: 769.4
> Number of assaults: 5,748 — 24th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 938.8 — 9th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.8% — 112th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 747,089 — 62nd highest of 291 metros
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
7. Alexandria, LA
> Assaults per 100k people: 786.7
> Number of assaults: 1,190 — 107th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 967.8 — 8th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 17.6% — 45th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 151,268 — 77th lowest of 291 metros
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6. Anchorage, AK
> Assaults per 100k people: 793.4
> Number of assaults: 2,422 — 50th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,171.5 — 3rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 58th lowest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 305,257 — 122nd highest of 291 metros
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
5. Danville, IL
> Assaults per 100k people: 822.9
> Number of assaults: 615 — 135th lowest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.3 — 5th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.5% — 57th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 74,737 — 6th lowest of 291 metros
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4. Albany, GA
> Assaults per 100k people: 840.7
> Number of assaults: 1,225 — 104th highest of 291 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,008.1 — 6th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 22.6% — 7th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 145,715 — 72nd lowest of 291 metros
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3. Pine Bluff, AR
> Assaults per 100k people: 925.6
> Number of assaults: 801 — 133rd highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,097.8 — 4th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 23.6% — 5th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 86,540 — 13th lowest of 291 metros
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
2. Memphis, TN-MS-AR
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,109.7
> Number of assaults: 14,965 — 6th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,358.8 — the highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.4% — 80th highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 1,348,509 — 31st highest of 291 metros
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1. Monroe, LA
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,123.2
> Number of assaults: 2,236 — 57th highest of 291 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,308.5 — 2nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 26.0% — 2nd highest of 291 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 199,081 — 121st lowest of 291 metros
Methodology
To determine the 50 metro areas with the most assaults, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed aggravated assault figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. The rate of assaults 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.Â
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. Poverty rates are one-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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