The aggravated assault rate in the United States is at its highest level since 2007. According to the FBI, about 921,500 cases of violent assault were reported nationwide in 2020, up 12% from the previous year.
The FBI defines aggravated assault as an unlawful physical attack 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.
While cases of assault are surging across the country, some U.S. towns are bucking the national trend, reporting substantial year-over-year declines in cases of aggravated assault per capita.
Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 towns where the aggravated assault rate is falling fastest. Towns – defined as places with populations between 2,500 and 25,000 – are ranked by the year-over-year change in the number of violent assaults per 100,000 people in 2020. Among the towns on this list, the assault rate fell anywhere from 279 to 1,248 assaults per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the national aggravated assault rate climbed by 29 assaults per 100,000 people in 2020.
Aggravated assault – along with rаpe, robbery, and homicide – is one component of the overall violent crime category, and is by far the most common. Assaults accounted for about 70% of the 1.3 million violent offenses reported in 2020. Partially due to a falling aggravated assault rate, the overall violent crime rate also declined in every town on this list in 2020. Here is a look at the metro areas where crime is falling fastest.
The majority of towns on this list are in the South, including six in South Carolina alone. Despite reporting declining assault rates, the aggravated assault remains higher than the national rate of 280 per 100,000 people in nearly half of the towns on this list. However, in 2019, each of these towns had a higher than average assault rate. Here is a look at the U.S. cities with the fewest assaults.
Click here to see the towns where the aggravated assault rate is falling
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Georgetown, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -279.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 3 — 539th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 95.1 — 1,193rd lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -466.0 — 24th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 126.8 — 1,021st lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 7,469
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49. Pittsboro, North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -279.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 10 — 1,363rd highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 225.2 — 855th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -258.6 — 95th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 337.8 — 760th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 4,195
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
48. Silt, Colorado
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -280.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1 — 177th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 31.0 — 443rd lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -280.0 — 81st lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 31.0 — 232nd lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,115
Source: Warren_Price / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Piggott, Arkansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -280.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 0.0 reported — the lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -419.1 — 35th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 57.2 — 451st lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,603
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46. Red Oak, Iowa
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -281.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 11 — 1,278th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 210.3 — 917th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -356.5 — 43rd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 267.7 — 992nd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,362
45. Eatonville, Washington
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -293.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 8 — 1,261st lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 261.6 — 720th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -293.7 — 73rd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 327.0 — 787th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,981
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44. Park City, Utah
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -302.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 23 — 674th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 266.5 — 706th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -325.2 — 57th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 301.2 — 875th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 8,375
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43. Nags Head, North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -305.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4 — 720th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 133.4 — 1,393rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -474.1 — 22nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 133.4 — 1,072nd lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,923
42. Schulenburg, Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -305.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 14 — 1,059th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 479.5 — 300th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -339.8 — 52nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 513.7 — 416th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,899
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41. Susanville, California
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -307.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 132 — 40th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 895.5 — 86th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -367.6 — 39th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 949.8 — 124th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 15,064
40. St. Albans, Vermont
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -308.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 22 — 717th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 324.1 — 533rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -322.8 — 58th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 427.2 — 536th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 6,804
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.jpg%20 "New Horry County Courthouse and county office complex, Conway, South Carolina (18 November 2006) by Pollinator")
39. Loris, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -309.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 21 — 750th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 748.9 — 133rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -456.3 — 25th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 784.6 — 186th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,673
38. Millstadt, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -310.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1 — 177th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 26.0 — 379th lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -361.5 — 42nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 52.1 — 404th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,892
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
37. Sullivan, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -324.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 36 — 399th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 812.5 — 115th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -346.4 — 49th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 812.5 — 172nd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 4,475
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
36. Brusly, Louisiana
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -327.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1 — 177th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 38.2 — 542nd lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -363.7 — 41st lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 38.2 — 305th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,741
35. Silvis, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -328.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 23 — 674th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 307.9 — 584th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -328.3 — 56th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 374.8 — 653rd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 7,497
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34. Gretna, Louisiana
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -331.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 46 — 276th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 260.8 — 723rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -314.0 — 62nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 357.2 — 704th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 17,774
Source: James Griffiths Photography / iStock via Getty Images
33. Page, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -336.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 81 — 113th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,073.4 — 46th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -375.1 — 38th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,285.4 — 48th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 7,531
32. Cache, Oklahoma
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -355.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 3 — 539th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 106.8 — 1,294th lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -532.9 — 13th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 106.8 — 859th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,842
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31. Ozark, Arkansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -364.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 9 — 1,376th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 251.2 — 752nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -448.8 — 28th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 362.8 — 684th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,610
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
30. Beardstown, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -364.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 22 — 717th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 409.5 — 388th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -420.0 — 33rd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 409.5 — 572nd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,682
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29. Muldrow, Oklahoma
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -372.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 8 — 1,261st lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 247.8 — 760th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -341.2 — 50th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 278.8 — 942nd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,270
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28. Liberty, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -380.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 6 — 1,015th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 190.9 — 1,011th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -348.1 — 47th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 318.2 — 814th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,177
27. Woodbury, Tennessee
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -384.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4 — 720th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 137.0 — 1,355th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -349.9 — 46th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 171.3 — 1,348th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,784
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26. Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -392.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 29 — 525th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 535.2 — 239th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -578.3 — 8th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 553.6 — 373rd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,647
25. Brinkley, Arkansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -397.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 16 — 951st highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 632.2 — 180th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -354.9 — 44th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 750.7 — 201st highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,742
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24. Cheraw, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -406.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 27 — 559th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 488.3 — 292nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -494.6 — 19th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 596.9 — 329th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,657
23. Osage City, Kansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -426.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 7 — 1,131st lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 250.4 — 753rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -354.9 — 45th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 322.0 — 800th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,808
22. Cut Bank, Montana
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -435.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 19 — 819th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 617.9 — 186th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -437.0 — 30th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 748.0 — 203rd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,058
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21. Los Fresnos, Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -436.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 16 — 951st highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 201.8 — 961st highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -423.5 — 32nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 239.6 — 1,130th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 7,738
20. Pecos, Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -447.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 38 — 370th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 356.2 — 478th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -505.5 — 17th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 384.4 — 626th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 10,108
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19. Hamburg, Arkansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -451.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4 — 720th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 155.4 — 1,233rd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -527.5 — 14th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 155.4 — 1,238th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,683
Source: Indy beetle / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
18. Windsor, North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -453.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1 — 177th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 29.8 — 424th lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -454.3 — 26th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 89.5 — 721st lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,457
17. Lafayette, Tennessee
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -455.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 7 — 1,131st lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 129.0 — 1,425th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -419.3 — 34th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 221.1 — 1,237th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,171
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16. Laurel, Delaware
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -465.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 23 — 674th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 519.1 — 255th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -507.2 — 16th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 880.2 — 148th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 4,179
Source: Tamara Harding / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Wilburton, Oklahoma
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -468.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1 — 177th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 39.8 — 570th lowest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -387.6 — 37th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 159.2 — 1,268th lowest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,619
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
14. Riverton, Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -473.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 10 — 1,363rd highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 291.5 — 631st highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -415.6 — 36th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 379.0 — 640th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,474
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Source: Jim Williams / iStock via Getty Images
13. Bethel, Alaska
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -484.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 48 — 260th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 722.7 — 142nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -586.4 — 7th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,400.2 — 37th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 6,472
12. Concordia, Kansas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -511.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 11 — 1,278th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 222.5 — 869th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -552.7 — 10th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 262.9 — 1,015th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,070
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11. Mascotte, Florida
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -549.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 11 — 1,278th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 170.1 — 1,133rd highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -448.8 — 29th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 371.1 — 665th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,743
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
10. Marksville, Louisiana
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -557.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 83 — 104th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,566.3 — 14th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -423.6 — 31st lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,792.8 — 15th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 5,432
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9. Red Springs, North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -586.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 23 — 674th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 700.8 — 154th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -550.9 — 11th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,005.5 — 112th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,378
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8. Early, Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -619.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 7 — 1,131st lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 218.4 — 889th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -557.6 — 9th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 312.0 — 834th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,986
7. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -628.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 5 — 873rd lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 195.1 — 992nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -942.4 — 3rd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 234.1 — 1,154th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,565
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6. Osceola, Wisconsin
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -640.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4 — 720th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 156.5 — 1,226th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -640.7 — 6th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 195.6 — 1,408th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,511
5. Snyder, Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -662.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 75 — 130th highest of 2,899 towns
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 681.6 — 162nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -688.4 — 5th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 745.2 — 204th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 11,323
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4. Weed, California
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -676.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 9 — 1,376th lowest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 333.5 — 515th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -938.5 — 4th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 333.5 — 772nd highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 2,669
3. Allendale, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -722.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 47 — 267th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,637.6 — 12th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -543.4 — 12th lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,055.7 — 11th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,009
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
2. Kotzebue, Alaska
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -882.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 19 — 819th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 584.8 — 204th highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -1,676.2 — the lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 677.1 — 251st highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,287
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1. Bishopville, South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported aggravated assaults per 100K people: -1,248.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 36 — 399th highest of 2,899 towns (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,211.7 — 32nd highest of 2,899 towns
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: -1,591.8 — 2nd lowest of 2,893 towns
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,346.3 — 40th highest of 2,898 towns
> Population: 3,103
Methodology
To determine the towns where the aggravated assault rate is falling fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in aggravated assaults rate per 100,000 people from the FBI’s 2019 and 2020 Uniform Crime Reports.
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 towns in these states were not excluded from analysis. Because some state and local agencies changed reporting practices between 2019 and 2020, the figures are not comparable, and the 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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