During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. violent crime rate rose to its highest level in a decade. 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.
Violent crime is a broad category of offenses that includes rĐ°pe, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. All told, more than 1.3 million violent crimes were reported in the U.S. – or 399 for every 100,000 people – in 2020, an increase of 18 incidents per 100,000 people from the previous year.Â
The increase in violent crime was not uniform across the country, however. In the vast majority of states, there is at least one city where the surge in criminal violence surpassed the national increase.Â
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the city in every state where crime is rising fastest. Cities are ranked by the year-over-year change in violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents. Only cities with populations greater than 25,000 were considered.
It is important to note that in four states – Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Vermont – no city with available data reported an uptick in violent crime. Additionally, in four other states – Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, and Maryland – there were no qualifying cities with available crime data.Â
All but six cities on this list have a higher violent crime rate than the comparable statewide rate, and most have a higher violent crime rate than the U.S. as a whole. Cities with the largest increases in violence are also more likely to have higher than average levels of underlying socioeconomic problems, such as unemployment and poverty. Here is a look at the city where the most people live below the poverty line in every state.Â
Click here to see the city where crime is rising fastest in every state
Click here to see our detailed methodology
Source: BlazenImages / Getty Images
Alabama: No eligible cities
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Alabama: -51.1)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Alabama: 22,322)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Alabama: 24,769)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Alabama: 453.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Alabama: 504.7)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 0
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Source: lippyjr / Getty Images
Alaska: Fairbanks
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +59.0 (Alaska: -27.2)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 260 (Alaska: 6,126)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 247 (Alaska: 6,346)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 843.3 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 784.3 (Alaska: 865.0)
> Population: 31,551
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
Source: ianmcdonnell / Getty Images
Arizona: Yuma
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +121.9 (Arizona: +37.7)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 498 (Arizona: 35,980)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 376 (Arizona: 32,603)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 502.5 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 380.7 (Arizona: 447.1)
> Population: 96,349
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 23
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Arkansas: Little Rock
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +333.1 (Arkansas: +91.1)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 3,657 (Arkansas: 20,363)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 3,009 (Arkansas: 17,547)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,849.9 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,516.8 (Arkansas: 580.8)
> Population: 197,958
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 18
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Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
California: Los Banos
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +176.3 (California: -0.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 220 (California: 174,026)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 143 (California: 174,341)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 528.5 (California: 442.0)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 352.2 (California: 442.1)
> Population: 38,914
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 264
Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
Colorado: Grand Junction
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +175.0 (Colorado: +38.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 348 (Colorado: 24,570)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 235 (Colorado: 22,149)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 542.5 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 367.5 (Colorado: 384.6)
> Population: 62,062
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 20
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Connecticut: Hartford
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +134.1 (Connecticut: -3.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,208 (Connecticut: 6,459)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,049 (Connecticut: 6,583)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 992.2 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 858.1 (Connecticut: 184.6)
> Population: 123,088
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 19
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Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
Delaware: Wilmington
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +92.5 (Delaware: +9.2)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,115 (Delaware: 4,262)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,058 (Delaware: 4,128)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,590.6 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,498.1 (Delaware: 422.7)
> Population: 70,644
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
Source: RobHainer / Getty Images
Florida: Panama City
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +261.0 (Florida: +5.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 303 (Florida: 83,368)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 228 (Florida: 81,291)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 873.9 (Florida: 383.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 612.9 (Florida: 378.2)
> Population: 36,640
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 92
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Georgia: No eligible cities
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Georgia: +73.9)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Georgia: 42,850)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Georgia: 34,666)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Georgia: 400.1)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Georgia: 326.2)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 0
Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
Hawaii: No eligible cities
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Hawaii: -10.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Hawaii: 3,576)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Hawaii: 3,745)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Hawaii: 264.5)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 0
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Source: Richard Schafer / Getty Images
Idaho: Idaho Falls
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +181.6 (Idaho: +10.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 291 (Idaho: 4,432)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 172 (Idaho: 4,162)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 458.6 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 277.0 (Idaho: 232.6)
> Population: 61,459
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 10
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Illinois: Rockford
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +276.8 (Illinois: +10.7)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 2,101 (Illinois: 53,612)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,711 (Illinois: 52,601)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,451.0 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,174.2 (Illinois: 415.3)
> Population: 147,070
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 76
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Indiana: South Bend
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +397.3 (Indiana: -13.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,765 (Indiana: 24,161)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,357 (Indiana: 25,006)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,728.4 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,331.1 (Indiana: 371.5)
> Population: 102,037
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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Source: cosmonaut / Getty Images
Iowa: Dubuque
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +209.2 (Iowa: +15.9)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 231 (Iowa: 9,601)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 110 (Iowa: 9,086)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 398.9 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 189.7 (Iowa: 287.6)
> Population: 58,196
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 15
Source: Ayodeji Afolabi / iStock via Getty Images
Kansas: Shawnee
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +75.8 (Kansas: +19.5)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 191 (Kansas: 12,385)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 141 (Kansas: 11,811)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 288.5 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 212.7 (Kansas: 405.5)
> Population: 65,540
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 5
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Source: Ivelin Denev / iStock via Getty Images
Kentucky: Nicholasville
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +64.1 (Kentucky: +38.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 67 (Kentucky: 11,600)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 47 (Kentucky: 9,872)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 214.8 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 150.7 (Kentucky: 220.7)
> Population: 30,301
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 14
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
Louisiana: Monroe
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +1,203.5 (Louisiana: +79.7)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,399 (Louisiana: 29,704)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 843 (Louisiana: 26,072)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,969.1 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,765.6 (Louisiana: 559.7)
> Population: 48,241
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 8
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Maine: Bangor
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +48.7 (Maine: -7.5)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 51 (Maine: 1,466)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 35 (Maine: 1,562)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 158.5 (Maine: 108.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 109.8 (Maine: 116.1)
> Population: 32,095
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 4
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Maryland: No eligible cities
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Maryland: -54.5)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Maryland: 24,215)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Maryland: 27,511)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Maryland: 399.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Maryland: 454.4)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 0
Massachusetts: Braintree Town
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +106.9 (Massachusetts: -19.9)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 85 (Massachusetts: 21,288)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 45 (Massachusetts: 22,662)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 228.0 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 121.1 (Massachusetts: 328.7)
> Population: 37,220
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 47
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Michigan: Saginaw
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +679.9 (Michigan: +39.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,029 (Michigan: 47,641)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 707 (Michigan: 43,793)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,154.2 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,474.3 (Michigan: 438.6)
> Population: 48,650
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 42
Source: StevenGaertner / Getty Images
Minnesota: Minneapolis
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +229.1 (Minnesota: +40.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 5,025 (Minnesota: 15,698)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 3,990 (Minnesota: 13,395)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,154.9 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 925.7 (Minnesota: 237.5)
> Population: 420,324
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 28
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Mississippi: Hattiesburg
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +142.2 (Mississippi: +30.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 171 (Mississippi: 8,638)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 106 (Mississippi: 7,779)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 372.8 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 230.6 (Mississippi: 261.2)
> Population: 46,098
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 4
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Source: TriggerPhoto / Getty Images
Missouri: Kansas City
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +154.6 (Missouri: +43.1)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 7,919 (Missouri: 33,385)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 7,099 (Missouri: 30,680)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,585.9 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,431.4 (Missouri: 499.6)
> Population: 486,404
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 10
Source: akpakp / Getty Images
Montana: Missoula
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +80.7 (Montana: +51.9)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 376 (Montana: 5,077)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 310 (Montana: 4,472)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 491.7 (Montana: 469.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 411.0 (Montana: 417.9)
> Population: 73,710
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
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Source: Matt Bills / Getty Images
Nebraska: Omaha
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +18.5 (Nebraska: +29.5)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 3,032 (Nebraska: 6,473)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 2,883 (Nebraska: 5,887)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 631.3 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 612.8 (Nebraska: 304.6)
> Population: 475,862
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 2
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Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
Nevada: No cities where violent crime increased
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Nevada: -35.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Nevada: 14,445)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Nevada: 15,334)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Nevada: 460.3)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Nevada: 496.1)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 1
New Hampshire: Concord
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +42.7 (New Hampshire: -11.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 84 (New Hampshire: 2,000)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 65 (New Hampshire: 2,152)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 192.1 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 149.4 (New Hampshire: 158.1)
> Population: 43,244
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 8
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New Jersey: Millville
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +162.1 (New Jersey: -11.4)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 173 (New Jersey: 17,353)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 130 (New Jersey: 18,382)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 634.4 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 472.2 (New Jersey: 206.7)
> Population: 27,721
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 35
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
New Mexico: No cities where violent crime increased
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (New Mexico: -45.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (New Mexico: 16,393)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (New Mexico: 17,302)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (New Mexico: 824.0)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 1
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Source: benedek / Getty Images
New York: Ithaca
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +185.1 (New York: +2.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 98 (New York: 70,339)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 41 (New York: 70,260)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 316.9 (New York: 363.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 131.7 (New York: 361.0)
> Population: 30,569
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 23
North Carolina: Goldsboro
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +382.6 (North Carolina: +40.6)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 397 (North Carolina: 44,451)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 267 (North Carolina: 39,773)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,165.9 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 783.3 (North Carolina: 378.7)
> Population: 34,647
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 31
North Dakota: Minot
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +52.4 (North Dakota: +27.6)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 155 (North Dakota: 2,518)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 130 (North Dakota: 2,302)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 322.2 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 269.8 (North Dakota: 301.4)
> Population: 48,261
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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Ohio: Reynoldsburg
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +165.7 (Ohio: +12.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 137 (Ohio: 36,104)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 73 (Ohio: 34,618)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 354.9 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 189.2 (Ohio: 296.0)
> Population: 38,129
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 44
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Oklahoma: Muskogee
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +162.8 (Oklahoma: +22.3)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 446 (Oklahoma: 18,255)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 389 (Oklahoma: 17,279)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,209.2 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,046.4 (Oklahoma: 436.3)
> Population: 37,624
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 15
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Oregon: McMinnville
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +73.6 (Oregon: -1.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 95 (Oregon: 12,380)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 69 (Oregon: 12,382)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 271.1 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 197.5 (Oregon: 293.7)
> Population: 34,010
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 19
Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images
Pennsylvania: No cities where violent crime increased
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Pennsylvania: +83.6)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Pennsylvania: 49,793)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Pennsylvania: 39,160)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Pennsylvania: 306.0)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 1
Source: EunikaSopotnicka / iStock via Getty Images
Rhode Island: East Providence
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +105.3 (Rhode Island: +8.1)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 112 (Rhode Island: 2,440)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 62 (Rhode Island: 2,357)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 235.6 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 130.3 (Rhode Island: 222.7)
> Population: 47,483
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images
South Carolina: Florence
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +268.5 (South Carolina: +20.6)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 562 (South Carolina: 27,691)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 447 (South Carolina: 26,307)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,456.1 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,187.6 (South Carolina: 510.1)
> Population: 38,487
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 13
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
South Dakota: Rapid City
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +150.1 (South Dakota: +104.3)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 673 (South Dakota: 4,476)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 540 (South Dakota: 3,523)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 857.4 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 707.3 (South Dakota: 397.1)
> Population: 75,258
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Tennessee: Memphis
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +450.6 (Tennessee: +73.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 15,310 (Tennessee: 46,328)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 12,367 (Tennessee: 40,908)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,352.0 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,901.4 (Tennessee: 598.9)
> Population: 651,932
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 27
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Texas: Houston
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +184.1 (Texas: +24.7)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 29,474 (Texas: 131,084)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 25,257 (Texas: 122,263)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,256.3 (Texas: 446.5)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,072.2 (Texas: 421.8)
> Population: 2,310,432
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 57
Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
Utah: Salt Lake City
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +210.1 (Utah: +23.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,865 (Utah: 8,471)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,442 (Utah: 7,588)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 922.4 (Utah: 260.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 712.4 (Utah: 236.9)
> Population: 197,756
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 20
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Vermont: No cities where violent crime increased
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: N/A (Vermont: -33.8)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: N/A (Vermont: 1,081)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: N/A (Vermont: 1,293)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A (Vermont: 173.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: N/A (Vermont: 207.2)
> Population: N/A
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 1
Source: tmersh / Getty Images
Virginia: Suffolk
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +98.9 (Virginia: -0.7)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 366 (Virginia: 17,925)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 270 (Virginia: 17,916)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 394.1 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 295.1 (Virginia: 209.4)
> Population: 90,093
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 20
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Source: BehindTheLens / Getty Images
Washington: Yakima
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +234.8 (Washington: -9.6)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 639 (Washington: 22,596)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 420 (Washington: 23,095)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 680.8 (Washington: 293.7)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 446.0 (Washington: 303.3)
> Population: 93,413
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 38
Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
West Virginia: Huntington
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +101.1 (West Virginia: +37.0)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 368 (West Virginia: 6,352)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 330 (West Virginia: 5,725)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 823.6 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 722.5 (West Virginia: 318.9)
> Population: 46,667
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 2
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Milwaukee
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +264.3 (Wisconsin: +26.3)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 9,407 (Wisconsin: 18,861)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 7,874 (Wisconsin: 17,305)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,596.8 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,332.5 (Wisconsin: 297.1)
> Population: 594,548
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 29
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Wyoming: Cheyenne
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: +35.7 (Wyoming: +19.3)
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 244 (Wyoming: 1,364)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 220 (Wyoming: 1,247)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 376.8 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 341.1 (Wyoming: 215.0)
> Population: 63,607
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 2
Methodology
To determine the cities where crime is rising fastest in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in violent crime rate per 100,000 people from the FBI’s 2019 and 2020 Uniform Crime Reports. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rаpe, robbery, and aggravated assault.
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 cities in these states were not excluded from analysis. Because some state and local agencies changed reporting practices between 2019 and 2020, the figures in these areas are not comparable, and these areas were excluded.
Population figures are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. However, these estimates were not used to calculate crime rates. Crime rates per 100,000 people were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 and 2019 UCR.
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