The U.S. murder rate is at its highest level in nearly two and half decades. A total of 21,570 murders were committed 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. communities, however, murder rates are far higher than the national average. Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the town with the most murders in each state. 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, at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people. In Hawaii, there are no eligible towns with available crime data.
Though each of the towns on this list ranks as having the highest murder rate in its respective state, homicide rates in these places vary considerably, from 4.3 murders per 100,000 people to 236 per 100,000. Still, in every town on this list, homicide rates exceed the comparable rate across the state as a whole.
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 of the towns on this list, the overall violent crime rate exceeds the comparable rate across the state as a whole.
Click here to see the town with the most murders in every state
Click here to see our detailed methodology
Alabama: Eufaula
> Murders per 100,000 people: 25.9 (Alabama: 9.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Alabama: 471)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 821.2 (Alabama: 453.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,568 (Alabama: 4,921,532)
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Source: troutnut / Getty Images
Alaska: Kotzebue
> Murders per 100,000 people: 61.6 (Alaska: 6.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Alaska: 49)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 677.1 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,249 (Alaska: 731,158)
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Arizona: Clarkdale
> Murders per 100,000 people: 45.1 (Arizona: 6.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Arizona: 513)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 135.3 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,433 (Arizona: 7,421,401)
Arkansas: Helena-West Helena
> Murders per 100,000 people: 138.8 (Arkansas: 10.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 (Arkansas: 321)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,635.9 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,086 (Arkansas: 3,030,522)
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California: Artesia
> Murders per 100,000 people: 24.1 (California: 5.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (California: 2,203)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 301.0 (California: 442.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 16,610 (California: 39,368,078)
Colorado: Alamosa
> Murders per 100,000 people: 31.0 (Colorado: 5.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Colorado: 294)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 755.0 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,669 (Colorado: 5,807,719)
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Connecticut: Groton
> Murders per 100,000 people: 11.3 (Connecticut: 3.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Connecticut: 140)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 259.6 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,861 (Connecticut: 3,557,006)
Delaware: Laurel
> Murders per 100,000 people: 22.6 (Delaware: 7.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Delaware: 73)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 880.2 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,431 (Delaware: 986,809)
Source: Patrick Baehl de Lescure / iStock via Getty Images
Florida: Palatka
> Murders per 100,000 people: 57.5 (Florida: 5.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Florida: 1,290)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 536.6 (Florida: 383.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,436 (Florida: 21,733,312)
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Georgia: College Park
> Murders per 100,000 people: 65.8 (Georgia: 8.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 (Georgia: 943)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,756.1 (Georgia: 400.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,204 (Georgia: 10,710,017)
Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
Hawaii: No eligible towns
> Murders per 100,000 people: N/A (Hawaii: 2.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Hawaii: 41)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: N/A (Hawaii: 1,407,006)
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Idaho: Bonners Ferry
> Murders per 100,000 people: 37.7 (Idaho: 2.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Idaho: 41)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 452.5 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,652 (Idaho: 1,826,913)
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Illinois: Maywood
> Murders per 100,000 people: 69.4 (Illinois: 9.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 (Illinois: 1,151)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 941.2 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 23,055 (Illinois: 12,587,530)
Indiana: Cumberland
> Murders per 100,000 people: 32.8 (Indiana: 7.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Indiana: 505)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 278.8 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,097 (Indiana: 6,754,953)
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Iowa: Fort Dodge
> Murders per 100,000 people: 21.0 (Iowa: 3.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Iowa: 111)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 757.7 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 23,755 (Iowa: 3,163,561)
Kansas: Garnett
> Murders per 100,000 people: 31.1 (Kansas: 3.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Kansas: 100)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 310.9 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,216 (Kansas: 2,913,805)
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Kentucky: Shively
> Murders per 100,000 people: 31.8 (Kentucky: 7.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Kentucky: 323)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 495.7 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,735 (Kentucky: 4,477,251)
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Louisiana: Bogalusa
> Murders per 100,000 people: 140.0 (Louisiana: 15.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 (Louisiana: 734)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,689.0 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,427 (Louisiana: 4,645,318)
Maine: Gardiner
> Murders per 100,000 people: 17.7 (Maine: 1.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Maine: 22)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 35.5 (Maine: 108.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,639 (Maine: 1,350,141)
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Maryland: Takoma Park
> Murders per 100,000 people: 11.2 (Maryland: 9.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Maryland: 553)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 342.1 (Maryland: 399.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 17,831 (Maryland: 6,055,802)
Massachusetts: Dover
> Murders per 100,000 people: 16.2 (Massachusetts: 2.3)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Massachusetts: 160)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 97.2 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,176 (Massachusetts: 6,893,574)
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Source: jferrer / Getty Images
Michigan: Highland Park
> Murders per 100,000 people: 56.2 (Michigan: 7.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 (Michigan: 754)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,919.5 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,680 (Michigan: 9,966,555)
Source: YinYang / iStock via Getty Images
Minnesota: Ely
> Murders per 100,000 people: 29.9 (Minnesota: 3.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Minnesota: 190)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 209.3 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,344 (Minnesota: 5,657,342)
Source: rustyl3599 / Getty Images
Mississippi: Vicksburg
> Murders per 100,000 people: 51.4 (Mississippi: 10.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 (Mississippi: 315)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 770.3 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,420 (Mississippi: 2,966,786)
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Source: Courtesy of City of Vinita Park, MO via Facebook
Missouri: Vinita Park
> Murders per 100,000 people: 127.8 (Missouri: 11.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 (Missouri: 723)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,461.1 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,951 (Missouri: 6,151,548)
Source: lucentius / iStock via Getty Images
Montana: Wolf Point
> Murders per 100,000 people: 36.4 (Montana: 5.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Montana: 54)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,202.6 (Montana: 469.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,744 (Montana: 1,080,577)
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
Nebraska: Nebraska City
> Murders per 100,000 people: 13.7 (Nebraska: 3.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Nebraska: 69)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 178.3 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,292 (Nebraska: 1,937,552)
Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
Nevada: Elko
> Murders per 100,000 people: 24.2 (Nevada: 5.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Nevada: 180)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 478.3 (Nevada: 460.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 20,697 (Nevada: 3,138,259)
New Hampshire: Wolfeboro
> Murders per 100,000 people: 15.5 (New Hampshire: 0.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (New Hampshire: 12)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 155.4 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,433 (New Hampshire: 1,366,275)
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New Jersey: Salem
> Murders per 100,000 people: 236.0 (New Jersey: 3.7)
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 (New Jersey: 329)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,059.6 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,661 (New Jersey: 8,882,371)
New Mexico: Gallup
> Murders per 100,000 people: 23.3 (New Mexico: 7.8)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (New Mexico: 164)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,775.4 (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,460 (New Mexico: 2,106,319)
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New York: Little Falls
> Murders per 100,000 people: 21.7 (New York: 4.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (New York: 808)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 260.6 (New York: 363.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,604 (New York: 19,336,776)
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock via Getty Images
North Carolina: Henderson
> Murders per 100,000 people: 67.3 (North Carolina: 8.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 (North Carolina: 852)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,038.9 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,861 (North Carolina: 10,600,823)
North Dakota: Mandan
> Murders per 100,000 people: 4.3 (North Dakota: 4.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (North Dakota: 32)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 357.4 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 23,221 (North Dakota: 765,309)
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
Ohio: Lockland
> Murders per 100,000 people: 58.1 (Ohio: 7.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Ohio: 820)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 697.7 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,440 (Ohio: 11,693,217)
Oklahoma: Mannford
> Murders per 100,000 people: 62.4 (Oklahoma: 7.4)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Oklahoma: 296)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 187.1 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,207 (Oklahoma: 3,980,783)
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Oregon: Winston
> Murders per 100,000 people: 36.2 (Oregon: 2.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Oregon: 125)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 235.2 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,528 (Oregon: 4,241,507)
Pennsylvania: Larksville
> Murders per 100,000 people: 22.9 (Pennsylvania: 7.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Pennsylvania: 1,009)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 22.9 (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,376 (Pennsylvania: 12,783,254)
Rhode Island: Central Falls
> Murders per 100,000 people: 10.2 (Rhode Island: 3.0)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Rhode Island: 32)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 455.7 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 19,530 (Rhode Island: 1,057,125)
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South Carolina: Allendale
> Murders per 100,000 people: 104.5 (South Carolina: 10.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (South Carolina: 549)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,055.7 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,870 (South Carolina: 5,218,040)
Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
South Dakota: Mitchell
> Murders per 100,000 people: 12.7 (South Dakota: 4.5)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (South Dakota: 40)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 464.2 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,726 (South Dakota: 892,717)
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
Tennessee: Ripley
> Murders per 100,000 people: 65.1 (Tennessee: 9.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 (Tennessee: 663)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,717.4 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,686 (Tennessee: 6,886,834)
Texas: San Saba
> Murders per 100,000 people: 126.4 (Texas: 6.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Texas: 1,931)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 410.9 (Texas: 446.5)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,164 (Texas: 29,360,759)
Utah: Moab
> Murders per 100,000 people: 37.3 (Utah: 3.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Utah: 102)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 876.5 (Utah: 260.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,362 (Utah: 3,249,879)
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Vermont: Newport
> Murders per 100,000 people: 23.7 (Vermont: 2.2)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Vermont: 14)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 686.9 (Vermont: 173.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,222 (Vermont: 623,347)
Virginia: Lebanon
> Murders per 100,000 people: 64.1 (Virginia: 6.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Virginia: 524)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 96.2 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,118 (Virginia: 8,590,563)
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Source: catscandotcom / iStock via Getty Images
Washington: Fife
> Murders per 100,000 people: 38.8 (Washington: 3.9)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (Washington: 301)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,378.5 (Washington: 293.7)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,301 (Washington: 7,693,612)
West Virginia: Madison
> Murders per 100,000 people: 38.0 (West Virginia: 6.6)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (West Virginia: 117)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 266.1 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,631 (West Virginia: 1,784,787)
Wisconsin: Barron
> Murders per 100,000 people: 30.2 (Wisconsin: 5.3)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Wisconsin: 308)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 211.6 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,308 (Wisconsin: 5,832,655)
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Source: Jared Kail / iStock via Getty Images
Wyoming: Lander
> Murders per 100,000 people: 26.9 (Wyoming: 3.1)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Wyoming: 18)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 26.9 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,441 (Wyoming: 582,328)
Methodology
To determine the town with the most murders in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed murder figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. The rate of murders per 100,000 people was 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 and the population within the jurisdictions reporting figures to the FBI are also from the 2020 FBI UCR.
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