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 cities with the most aggravated assault cases. Cities are ranked by their aggravated assault rate — specifically, the number of reported aggravated assault cases for every 100,000 residents. Only cities with populations greater than 25,000 were considered.Â
The aggravated assault rate nationwide stands at 280 per 100,000. Among the cities on this list, aggravated assault rates are much higher — ranging from 818 reported incidents per 100,000 people up to a rate of 2,583 per 100,000.Â
Aggravated assault is one of four broad categories of violent crime — along with rаpe, robbery, and homicide — and every city on this list also has an overall violent crime rate more than double the 399 per 100,000 national rate.
Click here to see the cities with the highest assault rates
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. Houston, Texas
> Assaults per 100k people: 817.5
> Number of assaults: 19,180 — 2nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,256.3 — 34th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 20.1% — 237th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,346,155 — 4th highest of 1,288 cities
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49. Lubbock, Texas
> Assaults per 100k people: 827.0
> Number of assaults: 2,168 — 43rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,087.9 — 52nd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 20.1% — 234th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 262,146 — 76th highest of 1,288 cities
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48. Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
> Assaults per 100k people: 830.1
> Number of assaults: 5,711 — 14th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,155.6 — 47th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 15.1% — 484th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 688,013 — 22nd highest of 1,288 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
47. Evansville, Indiana
> Assaults per 100k people: 834.8
> Number of assaults: 983 — 88th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,006.4 — 64th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 21.8% — 184th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 117,747 — 220th highest of 1,288 cities
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46. Tulsa, Oklahoma
> Assaults per 100k people: 836.5
> Number of assaults: 3,364 — 25th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,132.6 — 51st highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 19.4% — 259th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 402,166 — 45th highest of 1,288 cities
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45. Flint, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 845.6
> Number of assaults: 802 — 111th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,050.2 — 56th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 38.8% — 6th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 94,842 — 313th highest of 1,288 cities
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44. Jackson, Tennessee
> Assaults per 100k people: 867.1
> Number of assaults: 583 — 148th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,045.6 — 57th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 22.5% — 169th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 67,234 — 505th highest of 1,288 cities
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43. Daytona Beach, Florida
> Assaults per 100k people: 869.0
> Number of assaults: 609 — 141st highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,034.5 — 59th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 24.3% — 122nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 70,084 — 481st highest of 1,288 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
42. Beaumont, Texas
> Assaults per 100k people: 883.8
> Number of assaults: 1,032 — 87th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,225.5 — 37th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 18.6% — 298th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 116,766 — 225th highest of 1,288 cities
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41. South Fulton, Georgia
> Assaults per 100k people: 893.1
> Number of assaults: 899 — 95th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,027.2 — 60th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 9.1% — 428th lowest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 100,658 — 288th highest of 1,288 cities
.jpg#/media/File:Welcome_to_Riviera_Beach_Florida_Sign_(44179413804).jpg "Welcome to Riviera Beach Florida Sign by formulanone")
40. Riviera Beach, Florida
> Assaults per 100k people: 910.7
> Number of assaults: 326 — 253rd highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,195.6 — 41st highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 21.9% — 181st highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,798 — 317th lowest of 1,288 cities
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39. Stockton, California
> Assaults per 100k people: 910.8
> Number of assaults: 2,869 — 31st highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,277.2 — 32nd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 17.9% — 332nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 314,981 — 56th highest of 1,288 cities
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38. Rocky Mount, North Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 926.8
> Number of assaults: 496 — 178th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,149.1 — 49th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 19.2% — 269th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 53,520 — 626th lowest of 1,288 cities
37. Farmington, New Mexico
> Assaults per 100k people: 927.8
> Number of assaults: 410 — 206th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,197.1 — 40th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 17.4% — 354th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 44,191 — 497th lowest of 1,288 cities
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36. Jacksonville, Arkansas
> Assaults per 100k people: 932.1
> Number of assaults: 263 — 311th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,158.9 — 46th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 19.2% — 267th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,217 — 117th lowest of 1,288 cities (tied)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
35. Fort Smith, Arkansas
> Assaults per 100k people: 933.3
> Number of assaults: 822 — 106th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,170.6 — 43rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 21.0% — 204th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 88,071 — 354th highest of 1,288 cities
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34. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 959.1
> Number of assaults: 342 — 242nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,379.8 — 26th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 21.6% — 194th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,658 — 311th lowest of 1,288 cities
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33. San Bernardino, California
> Assaults per 100k people: 971.0
> Number of assaults: 2,101 — 45th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,401.8 — 24th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 26.0% — 95th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 216,365 — 96th highest of 1,288 cities
32. Goldsboro, North Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 992.6
> Number of assaults: 338 — 243rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,165.9 — 45th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 26.1% — 93rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 34,051 — 279th lowest of 1,288 cities
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31. Albuquerque, New Mexico
> Assaults per 100k people: 994.9
> Number of assaults: 5,592 — 15th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,343.6 — 28th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 16.9% — 378th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 562,065 — 29th highest of 1,288 cities
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30. Muskogee, Oklahoma
> Assaults per 100k people: 995.0
> Number of assaults: 367 — 229th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,209.2 — 39th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 24.6% — 111th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 36,884 — 347th lowest of 1,288 cities
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29. Canton, Ohio
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,025.3
> Number of assaults: 719 — 124th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,428.9 — 22nd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 30.8% — 31st highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 70,124 — 479th highest of 1,288 cities
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28. Wheeling, West Virginia
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,029.7
> Number of assaults: 270 — 304th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,258.5 — 33rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 13.8% — 559th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 26,222 — 42nd lowest of 1,288 cities (tied)
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27. Sumter, South Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,079.9
> Number of assaults: 427 — 200th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,241.7 — 36th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 19.2% — 270th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 39,542 — 401st lowest of 1,288 cities
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26. Cleveland, Ohio
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,090.7
> Number of assaults: 4,135 — 20th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,656.7 — 12th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 32.7% — 19th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 379,121 — 49th highest of 1,288 cities
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25. Spartanburg, South Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,091.6
> Number of assaults: 409 — 207th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,430.5 — 21st highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 23.3% — 146th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 37,469 — 360th lowest of 1,288 cities
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24. Newnan, Georgia
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,092.4
> Number of assaults: 466 — 187th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,247.1 — 35th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 15.7% — 442nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 42,658 — 469th lowest of 1,288 cities
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23. Chattanooga, Tennessee
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,097.1
> Number of assaults: 2,021 — 48th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,359.3 — 27th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 17.6% — 342nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 184,211 — 126th highest of 1,288 cities
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22. Wilmington, Delaware
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,121.3
> Number of assaults: 786 — 114th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,590.6 — 14th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 26.0% — 94th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 70,100 — 480th highest of 1,288 cities
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21. Kalamazoo, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,134.7
> Number of assaults: 867 — 101st highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,431.7 — 20th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 28.4% — 61st highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 76,411 — 430th highest of 1,288 cities
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20. Paragould, Arkansas
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,150.6
> Number of assaults: 337 — 244th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,290.6 — 31st highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 18.3% — 310th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,288 — 154th lowest of 1,288 cities
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19. Lansing, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,152.1
> Number of assaults: 1,367 — 65th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,431.9 — 19th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 24.6% — 112th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 118,651 — 216th highest of 1,288 cities
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18. Pontiac, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,159.7
> Number of assaults: 689 — 128th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,413.9 — 23rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 30.7% — 32nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 59,411 — 582nd highest of 1,288 cities
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17. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,164.5
> Number of assaults: 6,860 — 10th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,596.8 — 13th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 25.4% — 99th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 589,105 — 28th highest of 1,288 cities
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16. Springfield, Missouri
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,166.7
> Number of assaults: 1,970 — 49th highest of 1,288 cities (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,507.2 — 16th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 22.9% — 159th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 168,856 — 141st highest of 1,288 cities
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15. Rockford, Illinois
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,195.5
> Number of assaults: 1,731 — 55th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,451.0 — 18th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 22.3% — 176th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 144,795 — 161st highest of 1,288 cities
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14. Terre Haute, Indiana
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,196.3
> Number of assaults: 725 — 123rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,381.1 — 25th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 26.4% — 86th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 60,604 — 565th highest of 1,288 cities
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13. Florence, South Carolina
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,199.6
> Number of assaults: 463 — 189th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,456.1 — 17th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 19.1% — 273rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 38,597 — 379th lowest of 1,288 cities
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12. Kansas City, Missouri
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,216.8
> Number of assaults: 6,076 — 11th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,585.9 — 15th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 16.1% — 427th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 499,335 — 34th highest of 1,288 cities
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11. South Bend, Indiana
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,391.5
> Number of assaults: 1,421 — 63rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,728.4 — 9th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 23.6% — 140th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 102,119 — 282nd highest of 1,288 cities
10. Danville, Illinois
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,416.8
> Number of assaults: 428 — 199th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,671.7 — 11th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 29.4% — 46th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,208 — 181st lowest of 1,288 cities
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9. St. Louis, Missouri
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,433.5
> Number of assaults: 4,278 — 19th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,016.3 — 5th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 21.8% — 182nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 298,422 — 60th highest of 1,288 cities
8. Albany, Georgia
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,457.4
> Number of assaults: 1,043 — 85th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,724.3 — 10th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 30.8% — 30th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 71,567 — 466th highest of 1,288 cities
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7. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,459.1
> Number of assaults: 671 — 132nd highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,848.4 — 7th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 24.4% — 116th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 45,986 — 521st lowest of 1,288 cities
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6. Little Rock, Arkansas
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,535.8
> Number of assaults: 3,036 — 29th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,849.9 — 6th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 16.6% — 393rd highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 197,688 — 115th highest of 1,288 cities
5. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,564.4
> Number of assaults: 637 — 136th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,832.1 — 8th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 26.8% — 75th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,718 — 431st lowest of 1,288 cities
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4. Detroit, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,746.2
> Number of assaults: 11,518 — 6th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,178.5 — 3rd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 35.0% — 11th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 659,616 — 26th highest of 1,288 cities
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
3. Saginaw, Michigan
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,854.8
> Number of assaults: 886 — 97th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,154.2 — 4th highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 34.8% — 13th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,767 — 547th lowest of 1,288 cities
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
2. Memphis, Tennessee
> Assaults per 100k people: 1,917.1
> Number of assaults: 12,479 — 5th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,352.0 — 2nd highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 25.1% — 106th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 650,937 — 27th highest of 1,288 cities
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
1. Monroe, Louisiana
> Assaults per 100k people: 2,582.8
> Number of assaults: 1,217 — 75th highest of 1,288 cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,969.1 — the highest of 1,287 cities
> Poverty rate: 36.8% — 8th highest of 1,288 cities
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,119 — 536th lowest of 1,288 cities
To determine the cities 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.
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 were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though these places were not excluded from analysis.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 five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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