The U.S. murder rate is at its highest level in nearly two and half decades. There were 21,570 murders 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 U.S. cities, however, murder rates are far higher. Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. cities with the most murders. Cities are ranked on their murder rate — the number of reported murders for every 100,000 people in 2020. Only cities with populations of 25,000 or more were considered.
The majority of the cities with the highest homicide rates are located in Southern states — including five in Louisiana alone. The lowest murder rate among the 50 cities on this list is over 23 homicides per 100,000 people — over 3.5 times the national murder 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 criminal violence. Still, in nearly every city with the highest homicide rates, the overall violent crime rate also exceeds the national violent crime rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.
Click here to see the cities with most murders
To determine the cities with the most murders, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed murder figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. The rates of murders per 100,000 people were calculated using population data from the FBI.
We included cities that have more than 25,000 people based on five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. 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 is also from the 2020 FBI UCR.
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50. Oakland, California
> Murder rate: 23.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 102 — 22nd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,290.9 — 30th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 437,923 — 41st highest of 1,289 cities
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49. Rochester, New York
> Murder rate: 23.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 48 — 48th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 818.7 — 128th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 205,199 — 104th highest of 1,289 cities
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48. Dover, Delaware
> Murder rate: 23.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 198th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 856.1 — 112th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 38,428 — 373rd lowest of 1,289 cities
Source: benkrut / Getty Images
47. Akron, Ohio
> Murder rate: 23.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 47 — 50th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 910.2 — 91st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 197,433 — 116th highest of 1,289 cities
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46. Charleston, West Virginia
> Murder rate: 23.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 — 173rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 921.0 — 89th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 46,038 — 524th lowest of 1,289 cities
Source: Courtesy of City of Hazelwood via Facebook
45. Hazelwood, Missouri
> Murder rate: 24.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 283rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 654.7 — 201st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,051 — 9th lowest of 1,289 cities
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44. Buffalo, New York
> Murder rate: 24.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 61 — 35th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,018.0 — 61st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 254,627 — 81st highest of 1,289 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
43. Atlantic City, New Jersey
> Murder rate: 24.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 198th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 822.9 — 126th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 37,550 — 362nd lowest of 1,289 cities
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42. Indianapolis, Indiana
> Murder rate: 24.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 216 — 9th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 870.7 — 105th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 890,672 — 16th highest of 1,289 cities
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41. Rocky Mount, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 24.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 — 154th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,149.1 — 49th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 53,520 — 627th lowest of 1,289 cities
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40. Dania Beach, Florida
> Murder rate: 24.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 223rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 623.5 — 227th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,557 — 245th lowest of 1,289 cities
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39. Little Rock, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 24.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 49 — 46th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,849.9 — 6th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 197,688 — 115th highest of 1,289 cities
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38. Hallandale Beach, Florida
> Murder rate: 24.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 183rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 498.1 — 338th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,153 — 419th lowest of 1,289 cities
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37. Sumter, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 25.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 183rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,241.7 — 36th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 39,542 — 401st lowest of 1,289 cities
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36. Warren, Ohio
> Murder rate: 26.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 183rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 449.8 — 396th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 38,462 — 374th lowest of 1,289 cities
35. Douglasville, Georgia
> Murder rate: 26.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 198th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 566.7 — 263rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 34,409 — 287th lowest of 1,289 cities
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34. Danville, Illinois
> Murder rate: 26.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 223rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,671.7 — 11th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,208 — 181st lowest of 1,289 cities
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33. Albany, Georgia
> Murder rate: 26.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 19 — 107th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,724.3 — 10th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 71,567 — 466th highest of 1,289 cities
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32. South Bend, Indiana
> Murder rate: 27.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 28 — 78th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,728.4 — 9th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 102,119 — 282nd highest of 1,289 cities
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31. Washington, District of Columbia
> Murder rate: 27.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 198 — 11th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 957.9 — 78th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 712,816 — 20th highest of 1,289 cities
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30. Richmond, Virginia
> Murder rate: 28.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 66 — 33rd highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 348.8 — 544th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 233,350 — 88th highest of 1,289 cities
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29. Jacksonville, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 28.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 223rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,158.9 — 46th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,217 — 117th lowest of 1,289 cities (tied)
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28. Chicago, Illinois
> Murder rate: 28.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 771 — the highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 986.9 — 71st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,693,598 — 3rd highest of 1,289 cities
27. North Little Rock, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 30.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 20 — 103rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,003.0 — 66th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 66,303 — 518th highest of 1,289 cities
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26. Cincinnati, Ohio
> Murder rate: 30.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 92 — 26th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 892.9 — 97th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 304,724 — 58th highest of 1,289 cities
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25. Kankakee, Illinois
> Murder rate: 30.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 223rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 943.4 — 81st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,863 — 34th lowest of 1,289 cities
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24. Florence, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 31.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 12 — 166th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,456.1 — 17th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 38,597 — 379th lowest of 1,289 cities
23. San Bernardino, California
> Murder rate: 31.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 68 — 32nd highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,401.8 — 24th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 216,365 — 96th highest of 1,289 cities
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22. North Charleston, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 32.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 38 — 61st highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,144.7 — 50th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 117,503 — 222nd highest of 1,289 cities
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21. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Murder rate: 32.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 191 — 12th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,596.8 — 13th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 589,105 — 28th highest of 1,289 cities
Source: benkrut / Getty Images
20. Dayton, Ohio
> Murder rate: 32.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 46 — 51st highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,086.4 — 53rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 140,193 — 174th highest of 1,289 cities
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19. Kansas City, Missouri
> Murder rate: 35.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 176 — 14th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,585.9 — 15th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 499,335 — 34th highest of 1,289 cities
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18. Portsmouth, Virginia
> Murder rate: 36.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 34 — 68th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 920.3 — 90th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 94,205 — 323rd highest of 1,289 cities
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
17. Shreveport, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 37.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 69 — 31st highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 923.0 — 85th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 185,588 — 123rd highest of 1,289 cities
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16. Monroe, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 40.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 19 — 107th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,969.1 — the highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,119 — 537th lowest of 1,289 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
15. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 41.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 19 — 107th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,848.4 — 7th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 45,986 — 522nd lowest of 1,289 cities
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14. Cleveland, Ohio
> Murder rate: 42.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 160 — 16th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,656.7 — 12th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 379,121 — 49th highest of 1,289 cities
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13. Wilmington, Delaware
> Murder rate: 44.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 31 — 73rd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,590.6 — 14th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 70,100 — 480th highest of 1,289 cities
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
12. Memphis, Tennessee
> Murder rate: 44.4
> Murders reported in 2020: 289 — 6th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,352.0 — 2nd highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 650,937 — 27th highest of 1,289 cities
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11. Riviera Beach, Florida
> Murder rate: 44.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 — 129th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,195.6 — 41st highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,798 — 317th lowest of 1,289 cities
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10. Flint, Michigan
> Murder rate: 46.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 44 — 52nd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.2 — 56th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 94,842 — 313th highest of 1,289 cities
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9. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 46.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 102 — 22nd highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 951.9 — 79th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 219,245 — 93rd highest of 1,289 cities
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8. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
> Murder rate: 46.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 23 — 94th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 857.0 — 111th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 49,244 — 570th lowest of 1,289 cities
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7. Trenton, New Jersey
> Murder rate: 48.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 40 — 57th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,168.8 — 44th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 82,909 — 385th highest of 1,289 cities
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6. Detroit, Michigan
> Murder rate: 49.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 328 — 5th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,178.5 — 3rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 659,616 — 26th highest of 1,289 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
5. Saginaw, Michigan
> Murder rate: 50.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 24 — 88th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,154.2 — 4th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,767 — 548th lowest of 1,289 cities
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4. New Orleans, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 51.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 201 — 10th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,324.3 — 29th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 393,779 — 46th highest of 1,289 cities
3. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 56.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 23 — 94th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,832.1 — 8th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,718 — 431st lowest of 1,289 cities
Source: tsmarkley / iStock via Getty Images
2. Petersburg, Virginia
> Murder rate: 76.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 24 — 88th highest of 1,289 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 631.5 — 215th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 31,195 — 210th lowest of 1,289 cities
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1. St. Louis, Missouri
> Murder rate: 88.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 263 — 7th highest of 1,289 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,016.3 — 5th highest of 1,287 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 298,422 — 60th highest of 1,289 cities
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