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 in 2020 nationwide, a 12% spike 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.
The country’s rising rates of violent assault are being driven by surges in some major metropolitan areas.
Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 metro areas where the aggravated assault rate is rising fastest. Metro areas are ranked by the year-over-year change in the number of violent assaults per 100,000 people in 2020. Among the metro areas on this list, the assault rate climbed anywhere from 54 assaults per 100,000 people to 499 assaults per 100,000 people. 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 by far the most common. Assaults accounted for about 70% of the 1.3 million violent offenses reported in 2020. Partially due to the rise in the aggravated assault rate, the overall violent crime rate also climbed in every metro area with available data on this list. Here is a look at the city where crime is rising fastest in every state.
The metro areas that reported the largest increases in assault cases per capita span the country, though Michigan alone is home to seven, more than any other state. The majority of metro areas on this list have a higher overall aggravated assault rate than the national rate of 280 per 100,000 people. Here is a look at the U.S. cities with the fewest assaults.
Click here to see the metros where the aggravated assault rate is soaring
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +53.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 893 — 91st highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 291.0 — 85th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +62.8 — 34th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 363.6 — 103rd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 307,707
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
49. Pittsfield, MA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +57.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 419 — 70th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 339.0 — 57th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +50.5 — 45th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 431.2 — 69th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 124,944
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Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
48. Missoula, MT
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +58.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 373 — 60th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 308.1 — 77th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +54.6 — 38th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 404.0 — 84th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 119,600
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
47. Gainesville, FL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +59.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,872 — 47th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 565.7 — 13th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +68.2 — 29th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 760.3 — 13th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 328,517
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46. Jacksonville, FL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +59.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 6,019 — 15th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 380.8 — 46th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +25.1 — 82nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 499.8 — 45th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 1,559,514
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
45. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +59.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 9,131 — 8th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 463.7 — 28th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +45.8 — 52nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 616.3 — 26th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 1,933,860
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44. Vallejo, CA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +62.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,446 — 61st highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 323.5 — 64th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +52.8 — 43rd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 525.7 — 39th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 447,643
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Source: Better Planet Media / iStock via Getty Images
43. Ann Arbor, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +62.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,145 — 75th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 310.4 — 73rd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +56.9 — 37th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 412.3 — 81st highest of 212 metros
> Population: 367,601
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
42. Bismarck, ND
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +63.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 325 — 51st lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 250.6 — 104th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +28.2 — 78th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 333.9 — 93rd lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 129,115
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
41. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +64.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,284 — 36th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 349.3 — 52nd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +61.3 — 35th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 500.4 — 44th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 644,367
40. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +66.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 637 — 100th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 226.1 — 85th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +67.3 — 30th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 289.6 — 78th lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 283,111
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39. Idaho Falls, ID
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +69.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 353 — 57th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 228.1 — 88th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +79.1 — 25th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 283.6 — 74th lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 151,516
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
38. Battle Creek, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +70.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 723 — 102nd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 541.5 — 14th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +39.6 — 58th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 663.6 — 21st highest of 212 metros
> Population: 134,159
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
37. New Bern, NC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +71.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 363 — 58th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 292.8 — 84th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +79.6 — 24th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 363.8 — 102nd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 127,904
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36. Goldsboro, NC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +71.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 502 — 83rd lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 407.6 — 39th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +66.7 — 31st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 481.4 — 51st highest of 212 metros
> Population: 123,131
Source: aguilar3137 / iStock via Getty Images
35. Chico, CA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +72.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 786 — 100th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 362.3 — 50th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +49.0 — 47th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 492.8 — 47th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 219,186
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34. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +72.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,724 — 53rd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 440.2 — 32nd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +64.5 — 32nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 605.7 — 28th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 392,563
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
33. Florence, SC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +73.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,444 — 62nd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 704.2 — 8th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +36.8 — 63rd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 860.2 — 8th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 204,911
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
32. Fort Wayne, IN
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +76.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 953 — 84th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 229.3 — 89th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +29.9 — 70th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 334.9 — 94th lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 413,263
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31. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +77.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 19,336 — 2nd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 448.8 — 30th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +53.3 — 41st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 570.2 — 34th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 4,319,629
Source: EunikaSopotnicka / iStock via Getty Images
30. Rapid City, SD
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +77.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 616 — 99th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 428.1 — 35th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +132.9 — 7th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 665.1 — 19th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 142,191
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29. Grand Junction, CO
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +80.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 417 — 69th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 270.6 — 94th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +83.1 — 22nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 366.6 — 98th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 154,210
24/7 Wall St.
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
28. Sioux Falls, SD
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +83.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,056 — 79th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 386.8 — 42nd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +89.5 — 21st highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 477.7 — 54th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 268,833
Source: dustin77a / iStock via Getty Images
27. Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +83.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 455 — 74th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 314.8 — 71st highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +112.7 — 12th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 428.3 — 73rd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 144,670
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26. Burlington, NC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +84.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 663 — 105th lowest of 213 metros (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 386.2 — 43rd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +70.1 — 27th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 477.7 — 53rd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 169,509
25. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +85.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,278 — 69th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 338.3 — 59th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +109.5 — 13th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 475.9 — 55th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 378,923
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
24. Bakersfield, CA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +87.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4,579 — 20th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 509.9 — 19th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +71.2 — 26th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 692.3 — 16th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 900,202
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
23. Twin Falls, ID
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +87.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 350 — 56th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 308.5 — 76th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +96.6 — 18th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 383.4 — 87th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 109,784
22. Lansing-East Lansing, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +88.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,074 — 41st highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 376.9 — 47th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +68.2 — 28th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 498.1 — 46th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 550,391
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21. Greeley, CO
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +89.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 747 — 101st highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 225.5 — 84th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +108.3 — 14th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 324.2 — 90th lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 324,492
Source: ovidiuhrubaru / iStock via Getty Images
20. Sumter, SC
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +93.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 974 — 83rd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 693.7 — 9th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +93.4 — 19th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 812.0 — 10th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 140,466
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19. Dubuque, IA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +96.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 173 — 23rd lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 177.3 — 58th lowest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +134.2 — 6th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 268.6 — 65th lowest of 212 metros
> Population: 97,311
Source: tacojim / E+ via Getty Images
18. Springfield, IL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +97.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,008 — 81st highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 490.8 — 22nd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +82.6 — 23rd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 666.5 — 18th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 207,003
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
17. Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +103.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 468 — 76th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 315.0 — 70th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +28.4 — 74th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 450.2 — 61st highest of 212 metros
> Population: 149,527
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
16. Alexandria, LA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +103.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,190 — 74th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 786.7 — 5th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +118.6 — 9th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 967.8 — 6th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 152,037
Source: Omegaforest / iStock via Getty Images
15. Yakima, WA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +103.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 708 — 103rd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 282.3 — 91st highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +105.6 — 16th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 385.2 — 86th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 250,873
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14. Decatur, IL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +105.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 394 — 62nd lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 383.5 — 45th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +106.3 — 15th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 525.6 — 40th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 104,009
24/7 Wall St.
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13. Jonesboro, AR
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +107.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 681 — 105th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 503.0 — 21st highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +103.6 — 17th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 659.6 — 23rd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 133,860
Source: sarkophoto / iStock via Getty Images
12. Fairbanks, AK
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +110.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 206 — 30th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 625.7 — 11th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +46.8 — 49th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 841.4 — 9th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 96,849
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11. Danville, IL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +115.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 615 — 98th lowest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 822.9 — 3rd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +114.6 — 10th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,050.3 — 4th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 75,758
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
10. Billings, MT
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +116.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 901 — 90th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 490.5 — 23rd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: N/A
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 627.1 — 24th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 181,667
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
9. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +117.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,064 — 42nd highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 525.4 — 17th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +119.8 — 8th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 683.0 — 17th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 394,706
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8. Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +129.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,369 — 65th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 515.0 — 18th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +90.7 — 20th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 663.3 — 22nd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 265,066
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
7. Rockford, IL
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +143.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,034 — 44th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 610.9 — 12th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +136.2 — 5th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 770.7 — 12th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 336,116
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Source: coophil / iStock via Getty Images
6. Niles, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +149.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 817 — 94th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 535.7 — 15th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +113.4 — 11th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 664.2 — 20th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 153,401
Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Saginaw, MI
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +151.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,234 — 70th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 653.3 — 10th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +171.0 — 3rd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 794.6 — 11th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 190,539
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4. Pueblo, CO
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +160.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 791 — 99th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 469.8 — 26th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: N/A
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 722.2 — 15th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 168,424
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
3. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +162.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 5,748 — 17th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 769.4 — 6th highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +156.6 — 4th highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 938.8 — 7th highest of 212 metros
> Population: 744,483
2. Pine Bluff, AR
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +235.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 801 — 97th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 925.6 — 2nd highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +202.4 — 2nd highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,097.8 — 3rd highest of 212 metros
> Population: 89,437
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
1. Monroe, LA
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +499.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,236 — 37th highest of 213 metros
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,123.2 — the highest of 213 metros
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +496.0 — the highest of 209 metros
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,308.5 — the highest of 212 metros
> Population: 200,261
Methodology
To determine the metro areas where the aggravated assault rate is rising fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in the number of aggravated assaults per 100,000 people from the FBI’s 2019 and 2020 Uniform Crime Reports. Crime rates were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 and 2019 UCR.
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 the areas were excluded.
Listed population figures are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
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3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
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