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 American towns, however, murder rates are far higher. Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. towns with the most murders. Towns are ranked on their murder rate — the number of reported murders for every 100,000 people in 2020. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people.
The vast majority of the towns with the highest homicide rates are located in Southern states — including 11 in South Carolina alone. Murder rates in the towns on this list are at least seven times higher than the national murder rate. In 19 towns, the murder rate is at least 10 times the national rate. The town with the highest murder rate had 36 times as many murders per 100,000 as the national 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 most towns on this list, the overall violent crime rate also exceeds the national violent crime rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.
Click here to see the towns with the most murders
To determine the towns 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 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 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.
50. Barnwell, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 47.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,405.1 — 6th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,241 — 863rd lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
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49. Winnfield, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 47.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,047.4 — 120th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,201 — 850th lowest of 3,611 towns
Source: Boogich / iStock via Getty Images
48. Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 49.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 7 — 15th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.9 — 118th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,178 — 748th highest of 3,611 towns
Source: Alex Potemkin / Getty Images
47. Hardeeville, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 50.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 602.3 — 410th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,970 — 1,679th highest of 3,611 towns
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46. Manchester, Georgia
> Murder rate: 50.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 304.4 — 1,112th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,942 — 736th lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
Source: RUBEN RAMOS / iStock via Getty Images
45. Nome, Alaska
> Murder rate: 51.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 4,205.1 — the highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,900 — 723rd lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
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Source: rustyl3599 / Getty Images
44. Vicksburg, Mississippi
> Murder rate: 51.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 — 6th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 770.3 — 249th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,420 — 215th highest of 3,611 towns
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43. Hartsville, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 53.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,170.4 — 86th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,519 — 1,788th highest of 3,611 towns
42. Cheraw, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 54.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 596.9 — 419th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,529 — 1,343rd lowest of 3,611 towns
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Source: JerryB7 / iStock via Getty Images
41. River Rouge, Michigan
> Murder rate: 54.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 868.5 — 196th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,369 — 1,782nd lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
40. Colonial Beach, Virginia
> Murder rate: 55.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 468.6 — 612th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,628 — 610th lowest of 3,611 towns
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Source: Paulo Almeida / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Windermere, Florida
> Murder rate: 55.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 82.9 — 820th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,619 — 609th lowest of 3,611 towns
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38. Chester, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 56.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,214.0 — 74th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,354 — 1,279th lowest of 3,611 towns
Source: jferrer / Getty Images
37. Highland Park, Michigan
> Murder rate: 56.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 24th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,919.5 — 16th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,680 — 1,191st highest of 3,611 towns
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36. Opelousas, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 56.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 11th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,370.4 — 8th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,820 — 612th highest of 3,611 towns
Source: rafalkrakow / iStock via Getty Images
35. Markham, Illinois
> Murder rate: 57.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 7 — 15th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 602.2 — 411th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,289 — 963rd highest of 3,611 towns
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34. Garden City, Georgia
> Murder rate: 57.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,376.8 — 48th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,716 — 1,489th highest of 3,611 towns
33. Wadesboro, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 57.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,375.0 — 7th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,221 — 1,234th lowest of 3,611 towns
32. Palatka, Florida
> Murder rate: 57.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 24th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 536.6 — 499th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,436 — 1,222nd highest of 3,611 towns
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31. Lockland, Ohio
> Murder rate: 58.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 697.7 — 290th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,440 — 530th lowest of 3,611 towns
30. Ayden, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 58.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 485.0 — 586th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,155 — 1,217th lowest of 3,611 towns
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29. Pelham, Georgia
> Murder rate: 58.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 497.1 — 561st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,420 — 521st lowest of 3,611 towns
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28. Elizabethtown, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 59.7 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 955.5 — 152nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,349 — 491st lowest of 3,611 towns
27. Laurinburg, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 60.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 11th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,784.6 — 20th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,905 — 678th highest of 3,611 towns
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Source: Courtesy of City of Baker via Facebook
26. Baker, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 61.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 13th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 609.7 — 401st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 13,122 — 868th highest of 3,611 towns
Source: troutnut / Getty Images
25. Kotzebue, Alaska
> Murder rate: 61.6 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 677.1 — 320th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,249 — 434th lowest of 3,611 towns
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Source: Courtesy of Town of Welsh via Facebook
24. Welsh, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 62.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 743.7 — 266th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,227 — 419th lowest of 3,611 towns
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Source: Courtesy of Town of Jones, Oklahoma via Facebook
23. Jones, Oklahoma
> Murder rate: 62.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 279.1 — 1,217th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,225 — 418th lowest of 3,611 towns
22. Mannford, Oklahoma
> Murder rate: 62.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 187.1 — 1,756th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,207 — 408th lowest of 3,611 towns
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21. Marion, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 63.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,260.4 — 66th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,268 — 1,521st lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
20. Lebanon, Virginia
> Murder rate: 64.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 96.2 — 942nd lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,118 — 371st lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
19. Ripley, Tennessee
> Murder rate: 65.1 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,717.4 — 26th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,686 — 1,739th highest of 3,611 towns
Source: sgoodwin4813 / Getty Images
18. College Park, Georgia
> Murder rate: 65.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 8th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,756.1 — 23rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,204 — 656th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / E+ via Getty Images
17. Henderson, North Carolina
> Murder rate: 67.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 8th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,038.9 — 12th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,861 — 686th highest of 3,611 towns
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16. Bishopville, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 67.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 143rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,346.3 — 50th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,971 — 285th lowest of 3,611 towns
15. Maywood, Illinois
> Murder rate: 69.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 — 2nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 941.2 — 162nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 23,055 — 136th highest of 3,611 towns
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Source: Joesboy / iStock via Getty Images
14. Georgetown, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 80.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 7 — 15th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,241.8 — 69th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,697 — 1,492nd highest of 3,611 towns
13. Pagedale, Missouri
> Murder rate: 91.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,642.3 — 31st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,288 — 459th lowest of 3,611 towns
Source: Courtesy of Town of Williston, South Carolina via Facebook
12. Williston, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 103.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 758.1 — 256th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,902 — 242nd lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
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11. Manning, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 103.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,576.6 — 37th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,869 — 714th lowest of 3,611 towns
10. Allendale, South Carolina
> Murder rate: 104.5 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,055.7 — 11th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,870 — 225th lowest of 3,611 towns
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9. Penns Grove, New Jersey
> Murder rate: 105.9 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,122.6 — 104th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,721 — 1,063rd lowest of 3,611 towns (tied)
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
8. Marksville, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 113.2 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 24th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,792.8 — 19th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,299 — 1,262nd lowest of 3,611 towns
7. Marianna, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 120.3 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 842.1 — 209th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,325 — 478th lowest of 3,611 towns
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6. San Saba, Texas
> Murder rate: 126.4 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 410.9 — 749th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,164 — 387th lowest of 3,611 towns
Source: Courtesy of City of Vinita Park, MO via Facebook
5. Vinita Park, Missouri
> Murder rate: 127.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 — 4th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,461.1 — 44th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,951 — 1,155th highest of 3,611 towns
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4. Blytheville, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 136.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 18 — the highest of 3,611 towns
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,193.4 — 81st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 13,239 — 851st highest of 3,611 towns
3. Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
> Murder rate: 138.8 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 — 4th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,635.9 — 32nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,086 — 1,281st highest of 3,611 towns
2. Bogalusa, Louisiana
> Murder rate: 140.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 — 2nd highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,689.0 — 28th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,427 — 1,083rd highest of 3,611 towns
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1. Salem, New Jersey
> Murder rate: 236.0 per 100,000 people
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 — 6th highest of 3,611 towns (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,059.6 — 10th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,661 — 1,039th lowest of 3,611 towns
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