The U.S. violent crime rate — an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rаpe, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — climbed 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 cities, 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 metro area in each state. Metro areas are ranked by the violent crime rate — specifically, the number of violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents.
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 the most dangerous metro area 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 the most dangerous in its state, violent crime rates in these metros vary considerably, from as low as 178 incidents per 100,000 people, to as high as 1,359 per 100,000. Still, in the vast majority of the metro areas 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 metro areas 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 metro area in every state
To determine the most dangerous metro area 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. Rates of violent crimes per 100,000 people were 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 states 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 number of murders are also from the 2020 FBI UCR. Poverty rates are one-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
Source: Allard1 / Getty Images
Alabama: No eligible metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Alabama: 453.6)
> Number of violent crimes: N/A (Alabama: 22,322)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Alabama: 471)
> Poverty rate: N/A (Alabama: 15.5%)
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Source: Chilkoot / Getty Images
Alaska: Anchorage
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,171.5 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 3,576 (Alaska: 6,126)
> Murders reported in 2020: 18 (Alaska: 49)
> Poverty rate: 10.0% (Alaska: 10.1%)
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Source: dszc / Getty Images
Arizona: Tucson
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 473.5 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 5,020 (Arizona: 35,980)
> Murders reported in 2020: 86 (Arizona: 513)
> Poverty rate: 13.8% (Arizona: 13.5%)
Arkansas: Pine Bluff
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,097.8 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 950 (Arkansas: 20,363)
> Murders reported in 2020: 24 (Arkansas: 321)
> Poverty rate: 23.6% (Arkansas: 16.2%)
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Source: Bill_Dally / Getty Images
California: Stockton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 722.8 (California: 442.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 5,517 (California: 174,026)
> Murders reported in 2020: 84 (California: 2,203)
> Poverty rate: 13.7% (California: 11.8%)
Source: chapin31 / Getty Images
Colorado: Pueblo
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 722.2 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,216 (Colorado: 24,570)
> Murders reported in 2020: 18 (Colorado: 294)
> Poverty rate: 17.9% (Colorado: 9.3%)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Connecticut: New Haven-Milford
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 256.3 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,049 (Connecticut: 6,459)
> Murders reported in 2020: 49 (Connecticut: 140)
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (Connecticut: 10.0%)
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Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
Delaware: Dover*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 442.6 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 813 (Delaware: 4,262)
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 (Delaware: 73)
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (Delaware: 11.3%)
*Because Dover is the only eligible metro in Delaware, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Florida: Gainesville
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 760.3 (Florida: 383.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,516 (Florida: 83,368)
> Murders reported in 2020: 17 (Florida: 1,290)
> Poverty rate: 18.5% (Florida: 12.7%)
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Source: sshepard / Getty Images
Georgia: Albany
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,008.1 (Georgia: 400.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,469 (Georgia: 42,850)
> Murders reported in 2020: 23 (Georgia: 943)
> Poverty rate: 22.6% (Georgia: 13.3%)
Source: unclegene / Getty Images
Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 226.7 (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 379 (Hawaii: 3,576)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Hawaii: 41)
> Poverty rate: 11.9% (Hawaii: 9.3%)
*Because Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina is the only eligible metro in Hawaii, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
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Idaho: Twin Falls
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 383.4 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 435 (Idaho: 4,432)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Idaho: 41)
> Poverty rate: 11.7% (Idaho: 11.2%)
Illinois: Danville
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.3 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 785 (Illinois: 53,612)
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 (Illinois: 1,151)
> Poverty rate: 16.5% (Illinois: 11.5%)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Indiana: South Bend-Mishawaka
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 655.2 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,121 (Indiana: 24,161)
> Murders reported in 2020: 30 (Indiana: 505)
> Poverty rate: 15.9% (Indiana: 11.9%)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Iowa: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 475.9 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,798 (Iowa: 9,601)
> Murders reported in 2020: 26 (Iowa: 111)
> Poverty rate: 11.3% (Iowa: 11.2%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Kansas: Manhattan*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 376.1 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 490 (Kansas: 12,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Kansas: 100)
> Poverty rate: 18.6% (Kansas: 11.4%)
*Because Manhattan is the only eligible metro in Kansas, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Kentucky: Lexington-Fayette
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 250.8 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,308 (Kentucky: 11,600)
> Murders reported in 2020: 31 (Kentucky: 323)
> Poverty rate: 13.3% (Kentucky: 16.3%)
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
Louisiana: Monroe
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,308.5 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,605 (Louisiana: 29,704)
> Murders reported in 2020: 23 (Louisiana: 734)
> Poverty rate: 26.0% (Louisiana: 19.0%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Maine: Lewiston-Auburn
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 177.6 (Maine: 108.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 193 (Maine: 1,466)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Maine: 22)
> Poverty rate: 8.8% (Maine: 10.9%)
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Maryland: California-Lexington Park*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 196.4 (Maryland: 399.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 224 (Maryland: 24,215)
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 (Maryland: 553)
> Poverty rate: 7.3% (Maryland: 9.0%)
*Because California-Lexington Park is the only eligible metro in Maryland, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Massachusetts: Springfield
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 463.4 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 3,216 (Massachusetts: 21,288)
> Murders reported in 2020: 28 (Massachusetts: 160)
> Poverty rate: 12.6% (Massachusetts: 9.4%)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Michigan: Saginaw
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 794.6 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,501 (Michigan: 47,641)
> Murders reported in 2020: 33 (Michigan: 754)
> Poverty rate: 19.0% (Michigan: 13.0%)
Source: taarnes / Getty Images
Minnesota: Duluth
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 211.1 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 607 (Minnesota: 15,698)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Minnesota: 190)
> Poverty rate: 12.4% (Minnesota: 9.0%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Mississippi: Hattiesburg*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 249.8 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 422 (Mississippi: 8,638)
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 (Mississippi: 315)
> Poverty rate: 22.5% (Mississippi: 19.6%)
*Because Hattiesburg is the only eligible metro in Mississippi, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
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Source: JTGrafix / Getty Images
Missouri: Springfield
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 631.6 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,993 (Missouri: 33,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 26 (Missouri: 723)
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (Missouri: 12.9%)
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
Montana: Billings
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 627.1 (Montana: 469.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,152 (Montana: 5,077)
> Murders reported in 2020: 15 (Montana: 54)
> Poverty rate: 11.7% (Montana: 12.6%)
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Source: Matt Bills / Getty Images
Nebraska: Omaha-Council Bluffs
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 429.7 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 4,103 (Nebraska: 6,473)
> Murders reported in 2020: 44 (Nebraska: 69)
> Poverty rate: 9.1% (Nebraska: 9.9%)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
Nevada: Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 478.7 (Nevada: 460.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 11,077 (Nevada: 14,445)
> Murders reported in 2020: 127 (Nevada: 180)
> Poverty rate: 12.8% (Nevada: 12.5%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 217.7 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 913 (New Hampshire: 2,000)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (New Hampshire: 12)
> Poverty rate: 7.3% (New Hampshire: 7.3%)
*Because Manchester-Nashua is the only eligible metro in New Hampshire, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
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Source: shakzu / Getty Images
New Jersey: Vineland-Bridgeton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 450.2 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 669 (New Jersey: 17,353)
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 (New Jersey: 329)
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (New Jersey: 9.2%)
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
New Mexico: Albuquerque
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,006.4 (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 9,296 (New Mexico: 16,393)
> Murders reported in 2020: 87 (New Mexico: 164)
> Poverty rate: 15.5% (New Mexico: 18.2%)
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Source: Jacek_Sopotnicki / Getty Images
New York: Buffalo-Cheektowaga
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 378.3 (New York: 363.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 4,237 (New York: 70,339)
> Murders reported in 2020: 79 (New York: 808)
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (New York: 13.0%)
Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images
North Carolina: Greensboro-High Point
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 576.2 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 4,479 (North Carolina: 44,451)
> Murders reported in 2020: 95 (North Carolina: 852)
> Poverty rate: 16.6% (North Carolina: 13.6%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
North Dakota: Fargo
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 350.7 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 871 (North Dakota: 2,518)
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 (North Dakota: 32)
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (North Dakota: 10.6%)
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Source: Mshake / Getty Images
Ohio: Toledo
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 485.6 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 3,108 (Ohio: 36,104)
> Murders reported in 2020: 56 (Ohio: 820)
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (Ohio: 13.1%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Oklahoma: Lawton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 603.0 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 759 (Oklahoma: 18,255)
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 (Oklahoma: 296)
> Poverty rate: 17.8% (Oklahoma: 15.2%)
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Source: Grant Wylie / Getty Images
Oregon: Medford
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 298.8 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 663 (Oregon: 12,380)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Oregon: 125)
> Poverty rate: 13.9% (Oregon: 11.4%)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
Pennsylvania: No eligible metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Number of violent crimes: N/A (Pennsylvania: 49,793)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Pennsylvania: 1,009)
> Poverty rate: N/A (Pennsylvania: 12.0%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 285.6 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 4,630 (Rhode Island: 2,440)
> Murders reported in 2020: 41 (Rhode Island: 32)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (Rhode Island: 10.8%)
*Because Providence-Warwick is the only eligible metro in Rhode Island, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
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Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images
South Carolina: Florence
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 860.2 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,764 (South Carolina: 27,691)
> Murders reported in 2020: 39 (South Carolina: 549)
> Poverty rate: 16.9% (South Carolina: 13.8%)
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
South Dakota: Rapid City
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 665.1 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 957 (South Dakota: 4,476)
> Murders reported in 2020: 15 (South Dakota: 40)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (South Dakota: 11.9%)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Tennessee: Memphis
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,358.8 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 18,324 (Tennessee: 46,328)
> Murders reported in 2020: 327 (Tennessee: 663)
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (Tennessee: 13.9%)
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images
Texas: Lubbock
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 919.4 (Texas: 446.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 2,985 (Texas: 131,084)
> Murders reported in 2020: 31 (Texas: 1,931)
> Poverty rate: 18.3% (Texas: 13.6%)
Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
Utah: Salt Lake City
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 384.0 (Utah: 260.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 4,785 (Utah: 8,471)
> Murders reported in 2020: 60 (Utah: 102)
> Poverty rate: 8.6% (Utah: 8.9%)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 198.4 (Vermont: 173.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 439 (Vermont: 1,081)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Vermont: 14)
> Poverty rate: 11.4% (Vermont: 10.2%)
*Because Burlington-South Burlington is the only eligible metro in Vermont, it is the most dangerous metro by default.
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Virginia: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 351.8 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 6,239 (Virginia: 17,925)
> Murders reported in 2020: 183 (Virginia: 524)
> Poverty rate: 10.6% (Virginia: 9.9%)
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Source: BehindTheLens / Getty Images
Washington: Yakima
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 385.2 (Washington: 293.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 966 (Washington: 22,596)
> Murders reported in 2020: 21 (Washington: 301)
> Poverty rate: 16.9% (Washington: 9.8%)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
West Virginia: Charleston
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 536.3 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 1,366 (West Virginia: 6,352)
> Murders reported in 2020: 30 (West Virginia: 117)
> Poverty rate: 17.1% (West Virginia: 16.0%)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Milwaukee-Waukesha
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 678.2 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 10,688 (Wisconsin: 18,861)
> Murders reported in 2020: 206 (Wisconsin: 308)
> Poverty rate: 11.8% (Wisconsin: 10.4%)
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Wyoming: Cheyenne
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 327.8 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 330 (Wyoming: 1,364)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Wyoming: 18)
> Poverty rate: 9.8% (Wyoming: 10.1%)
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