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
While rates of violence are rising in much of the country, many major metropolitan areas are bucking the national trend, reporting year-over-year declines in criminal violence.Â
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 metro areas where crime is falling. Metro areas are ranked by the year-over-year change in violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents in 2020.Â
Among the metro areas on this list, the violent crime rate fell by anywhere from 8 incidents to 159 incidents per 100,000 people from 2019 to 2020. The largest share of metro areas on this list are in the West, including seven in California alone.Â
The majority of these cities have a lower violent crime rate than the U.S. as a whole. Even before the recent decline in violence, most metro areas on this list had a lower than average violent crime rate. Still, despite the decline, some metro areas on this list, such as Anchorage, Alaska, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, still rank among the most dangerous cities in the country. Here is a look at America’s most dangerous city.
Click here to see metros where crime is falling
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. St. George, UT
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -8.4
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 294 — 30th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 299 — 31st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 161.5 — 13th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 169.9 — 17th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 177,556
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49. Naples-Marco Island, FL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -9.9
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 876 — 102nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 896 — 101st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 223.8 — 45th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 233.7 — 55th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 384,902
48. Winchester, VA-WV
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -10.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 214 — 16th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 226 — 20th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 150.8 — 9th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 160.8 — 14th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 139,125
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
47. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -10.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,522 — 75th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,619 — 68th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 163.9 — 14th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 174.2 — 20th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 943,332
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46. Kingston, NY
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -10.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 246 — 21st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 266 — 24th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 139.8 — 5th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 150.2 — 11th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 177,573
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
45. Richmond, VA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -12.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 2,811 — 40th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 2,932 — 36th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 215.7 — 39th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 227.7 — 49th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 1,290,866
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
44. Manchester-Nashua, NH
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -12.1
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 913 — 104th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 957 — 97th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 217.7 — 40th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 229.8 — 50th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 417,025
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
43. Norwich-New London, CT
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -13.8
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 313 — 33rd lowest of 209 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 339 — 38th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 180.1 — 20th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 193.8 — 27th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 265,206
Source: DavieJones13 / Getty Images
42. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -14.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,528 — 74th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,588 — 70th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 360.8 — 102nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 375.1 — 87th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 423,163
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
41. Modesto, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -15.1
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 2,823 — 39th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 2,908 — 37th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 514.0 — 39th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 529.1 — 34th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 550,660
Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images
40. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -15.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,686 — 69th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,830 — 62nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 200.7 — 33rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 216.0 — 39th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 846,006
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39. Ames, IA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -15.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 228 — 19th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 249 — 22nd lowest of 209 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 183.8 — 21st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 199.3 — 32nd lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 123,351
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
38. Victoria, TX
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -15.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 449 — 54th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 463 — 58th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 448.8 — 61st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 464.4 — 51st highest of 209 metros
> Population: 99,090
Source: tadphoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. Madison, WI
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -16.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,354 — 84th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,452 — 76th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 201.7 — 35th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 217.8 — 40th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 664,865
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
36. Lafayette, LA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -16.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 2,205 — 56th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 2,283 — 45th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 450.0 — 60th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 466.5 — 49th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 489,207
Source: tristanbnz / iStock via Getty Images
35. Coeur d’Alene, ID
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -17.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 343 — 38th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 362 — 42nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 201.5 — 34th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 219.0 — 42nd lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 165,697
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34. Johnson City, TN
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -22.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 625 — 75th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 668 — 80th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 306.1 — 84th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 328.6 — 103rd lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 203,697
Source: William Reagan / iStock via Getty Images
33. Eau Claire, WI
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -22.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 326 — 35th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 363 — 43rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 191.7 — 29th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 214.3 — 37th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 169,304
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
32. Anchorage, AK
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -23.1
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 3,576 — 32nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 3,657 — 29th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,171.5 — 2nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,194.6 — the highest of 209 metros
> Population: 396,317
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Source: John Callery / Getty Images
31. Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -23.2
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 657 — 78th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 715 — 89th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 223.4 — 43rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 246.7 — 62nd lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 290,536
Source: stresstensor / iStock via Getty Images
30. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -24.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 12,399 — 7th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 13,556 — 7th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 253.8 — 61st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 277.7 — 77th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 4,873,019
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29. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -25.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 850 — 99th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 945 — 98th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 240.2 — 53rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 265.1 — 69th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 355,873
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
28. Columbia, SC
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -25.4
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 4,729 — 24th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 4,909 — 24th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 558.0 — 35th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 583.4 — 21st highest of 209 metros
> Population: 839,039
Source: 147576648@N07 / Flickr
27. Walla Walla, WA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -25.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 129 — 4th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 145 — 7th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 212.3 — 38th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 237.9 — 57th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 60,760
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26. Morristown, TN
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -25.8
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 519 — 61st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 552 — 68th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 361.9 — 101st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 387.6 — 80th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 142,749
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
25. Peoria, IL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -26.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 1,689 — 68th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,807 — 63rd highest of 209 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 425.7 — 72nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 451.9 — 53rd highest of 209 metros
> Population: 400,912
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24. Barnstable Town, MA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -26.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 635 — 76th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 691 — 83rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 300.2 — 80th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 326.8 — 101st lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 212,990
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
23. Pocatello, ID
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -30.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 260 — 25th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 287 — 30th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 268.8 — 66th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 299.4 — 89th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 94,588
Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
22. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -30.7
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 20,814 — 5th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 22,317 — 4th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 440.1 — 65th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 470.8 — 48th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 4,731,803
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21. Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -31.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 2,005 — 62nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 2,148 — 50th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 350.0 — 101st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 381.0 — 83rd highest of 209 metros
> Population: 568,521
20. Kankakee, IL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -33.2
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 387 — 43rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 424 — 52nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 355.4 — 105th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 388.6 — 78th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 109,862
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19. Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -34.2
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 581 — 68th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 651 — 77th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 242.9 — 54th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 277.1 — 75th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 235,099
18. Grand Island, NE
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -35.2
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 257 — 24th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 285 — 29th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 340.5 — 98th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 375.7 — 86th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 75,553
Source: SEASTOCK / iStock via Getty Images
17. Bellingham, WA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -35.4
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 428 — 49th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 502 — 62nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 184.7 — 23rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 220.1 — 44th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 229,247
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16. Albuquerque, NM
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -37.1
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 9,296 — 13th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 9,580 — 12th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,006.4 — 5th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 1,043.4 — 2nd highest of 209 metros
> Population: 914,480
15. Muskegon, MI
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -41.1
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 714 — 84th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 786 — 99th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 412.3 — 79th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 453.4 — 52nd highest of 209 metros
> Population: 173,566
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14. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -41.4
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 379 — 40th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 449 — 56th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 226.7 — 47th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 268.1 — 71st lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 167,488
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Ceri Breeze / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
13. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -42.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 597 — 71st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 709 — 87th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 218.8 — 42nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 261.4 — 68th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 271,473
Source: choicegraphx / iStock via Getty Images
12. Punta Gorda, FL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -44.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 292 — 29th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 367 — 44th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 152.2 — 10th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 196.2 — 29th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 188,910
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Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -44.3
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 780 — 92nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 885 — 103rd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 268.9 — 67th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 313.2 — 94th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 284,809
Source: mvp64 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -47.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 11,077 — 11th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 11,935 — 8th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 478.7 — 50th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 525.7 — 37th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 2,266,715
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Source: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images News via Getty Images
9. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -47.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 970 — 99th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 1,106 — 92nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 357.1 — 104th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 404.6 — 74th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 273,213
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
8. Manhattan, KS
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -54.8
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 490 — 59th lowest of 209 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 563 — 69th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 376.1 — 90th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 430.9 — 57th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 130,285
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
7. Stockton, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -65.7
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 5,517 — 22nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 5,952 — 20th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 722.8 — 14th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 788.5 — 9th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 762,148
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
6. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -70.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 741 — 89th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 882 — 104th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 326.9 — 91st lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 397.5 — 77th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 222,195
Source: ghornephoto / iStock via Getty Images
5. Bloomington, IL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -71.0
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 483 — 57th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 610 — 72nd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 282.8 — 73rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 353.8 — 98th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 171,517
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4. Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -86.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 219 — 17th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 352 — 39th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 135.1 — 4th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 221.6 — 46th lowest of 209 metros
> Population: 159,923
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
3. Lawton, OK
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -113.4
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 759 — 90th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 897 — 100th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 603.0 — 27th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 716.4 — 12th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 126,043
Source: Spondylolithesis / iStock via Getty Images
2. Napa, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -148.5
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 539 — 64th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 753 — 95th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 394.9 — 82nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 543.4 — 30th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 137,744
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Source: garytog / iStock via Getty Images
1. Madera, CA
> 1-yr. change in violent crimes per 100K people: -158.6
> Violent crimes reported in 2020: 578 — 67th lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes reported in 2019: 830 — 103rd lowest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 369.4 — 94th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2019: 528.0 — 35th highest of 209 metros
> Population: 157,327
MethodologyÂ
To determine the metro areas where crime is falling, 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.
Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though metro areas in these states were not excluded from analysis. Only metro areas for which the boundaries defined by the FBI match the boundaries as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau were considered. Because some state and local agencies changed reporting practices between 2019 and 2020, the figures are not comparable, and those states and areas were excluded.
Population figures are one-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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