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.
The country’s rising rates of violent assault are being led by surges in some U.S. cities.
Using data from the FBI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 cities where the aggravated assault rate is rising fastest. Cities – defined as places with populations of at least 25,000 – are ranked by the year-over-year change in the number of violent assaults per 100,000 people in 2020. Among the cities on this list, the assault rate climbed anywhere from 159 assaults per 100,000 people to 1,272 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 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 rose in every city on this list with available data. Here is a look at the city where crime is rising fastest in every state.
The majority of cities on this list are in the South, including six in Arkansas alone. In nearly every city on this list, the aggravated assault is higher 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 cities where the aggravated assault rate is soaring
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50. Shreveport, Louisiana
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +158.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,284 — 59th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 691.9 — 68th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +143.5 — 68th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 923.0 — 74th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 192,035
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49. North Miami Beach, Florida
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +158.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 221 — 317th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 510.7 — 157th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +132.4 — 80th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 734.9 — 145th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 42,971
Source: Jeremy Janus / iStock via Getty Images
48. Grand Junction, Colorado
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +159.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 262 — 265th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 408.4 — 225th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +175.0 — 44th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 542.5 — 247th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 62,062
Source: Courtesy of the City Of Novato
47. Novato, California
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +159.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 205 — 337th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 366.6 — 270th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +161.9 — 55th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 425.6 — 378th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 55,642
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46. Reynoldsburg, Ohio
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +160.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 86 — 498th lowest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 222.8 — 483rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +165.7 — 48th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 354.9 — 458th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 38,129
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45. Muskogee, Oklahoma
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +163.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 367 — 198th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 995.0 — 25th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +162.8 — 53rd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,209.2 — 33rd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 37,624
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44. Oak Ridge, Tennessee
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +167.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 130 — 502nd highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 446.1 — 192nd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +191.5 — 32nd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 576.5 — 216th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 29,037
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43. Compton, California
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +169.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 774 — 98th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 810.4 — 45th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +35.4 — 327th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,177.9 — 35th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 96,803
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42. Fort Smith, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +170.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 822 — 90th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 933.3 — 30th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +190.4 — 33rd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,170.6 — 36th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 87,743
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41. Paterson, New Jersey
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +170.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 930 — 77th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 641.6 — 86th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +147.2 — 62nd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 988.6 — 59th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 145,710
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40. Idaho Falls, Idaho
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +173.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 236 — 295th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 371.9 — 264th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +181.6 — 40th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 458.6 — 333rd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 61,459
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39. Kansas City, Missouri
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +176.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 6,076 — 10th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,216.8 — 11th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +154.6 — 59th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,585.9 — 14th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 486,404
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38. Pontiac, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +181.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 689 — 109th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,159.7 — 15th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +127.7 — 84th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,413.9 — 21st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 59,955
37. Allen Park, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +183.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 77 — 449th lowest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 287.2 — 376th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +187.4 — 35th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 365.5 — 451st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 27,216
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36. Springfield, Illinois
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +183.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 771 — 99th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 676.8 — 73rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +169.2 — 46th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 946.3 — 70th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 115,888
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35. New Bern, North Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +184.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 154 — 437th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 512.5 — 154th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +218.3 — 22nd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 632.3 — 183rd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 29,895
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34. Panama City, Florida
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +187.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 232 — 302nd highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 669.1 — 75th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +261.0 — 16th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 873.9 — 89th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 36,640
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33. Spartanburg, South Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +188.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 409 — 180th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,091.6 — 21st highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +243.9 — 17th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,430.5 — 19th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 37,424
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32. Sumter, South Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +192.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 427 — 175th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,079.9 — 23rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +184.7 — 37th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,241.7 — 31st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 39,800
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31. Billings, Montana
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +196.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 715 — 106th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 649.1 — 81st highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: N/A
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 852.4 — 98th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 109,595
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30. Houston, Texas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +198.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 19,180 — 2nd highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 817.5 — 41st highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +184.1 — 38th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,256.3 — 30th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 2,310,432
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29. Riviera Beach, Florida
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +204.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 326 — 218th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 910.7 — 34th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +210.7 — 25th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,195.6 — 34th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 34,702
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28. Dayton, Ohio
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +207.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,045 — 74th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 745.4 — 56th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +124.3 — 88th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,086.4 — 46th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 140,569
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +207.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 342 — 208th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 959.1 — 29th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +189.3 — 34th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,379.8 — 23rd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 32,700
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26. Melbourne, Florida
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +211.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 589 — 127th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 702.8 — 64th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +211.3 — 24th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 903.3 — 81st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 81,468
25. Jacksonville, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +214.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 263 — 263rd highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 932.1 — 31st highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +200.4 — 29th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,158.9 — 39th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 28,456
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24. Burton, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +215.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 157 — 433rd highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 552.3 — 124th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +198.2 — 30th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 675.4 — 168th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 28,654
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
23. Cleveland, Ohio
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +219.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 4,135 — 18th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,090.7 — 22nd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +140.1 — 72nd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,656.7 — 11th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 385,282
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
22. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +226.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 671 — 113th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,459.1 — 7th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +278.6 — 12th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,848.4 — 7th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 47,012
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21. Millville, New Jersey
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +236.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 128 — 506th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 469.3 — 176th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +162.1 — 54th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 634.4 — 181st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 27,721
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20. Chattanooga, Tennessee
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +241.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 2,021 — 42nd highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,097.1 — 20th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +289.2 — 10th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,359.3 — 24th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 179,690
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19. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +244.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 6,860 — 9th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,164.5 — 14th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +264.3 — 15th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,596.8 — 12th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 594,548
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. Paragould, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +244.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 337 — 210th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,150.6 — 17th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +240.9 — 18th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,290.6 — 28th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 28,568
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17. Yakima, Washington
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +248.1
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 508 — 149th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 541.2 — 133rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +234.8 — 19th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 680.8 — 166th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 93,413
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16. Pueblo, Colorado
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +251.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 768 — 100th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 679.6 — 72nd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: N/A
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,045.1 — 51st highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 110,841
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
15. Florence, South Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +261.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 463 — 164th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,199.6 — 12th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +268.5 — 14th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,456.1 — 15th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 38,487
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14. Aiken, South Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +269.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 203 — 343rd highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 654.7 — 79th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +230.6 — 20th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 806.3 — 115th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 30,671
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. Kalamazoo, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +291.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 867 — 86th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,134.7 — 18th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +196.5 — 31st highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,431.7 — 18th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 76,019
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
12. Texarkana, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +299.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 226 — 310th highest of 1,123 cities (tied)
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 762.9 — 53rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +311.0 — 9th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 921.6 — 76th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 29,901
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11. Rockford, Illinois
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +310.2
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,731 — 47th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,195.5 — 13th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +276.8 — 13th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,451.0 — 16th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 147,070
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10. Detroit, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +319.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 11,518 — 6th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,746.2 — 4th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +213.2 — 23rd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,178.5 — 3rd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 674,841
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9. Lansing, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +325.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,367 — 56th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,152.1 — 16th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +328.1 — 8th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,431.9 — 17th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 117,159
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8. Little Rock, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +340.6
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 3,036 — 25th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,535.8 — 6th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +333.1 — 7th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,849.9 — 6th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 197,958
7. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +354.9
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 637 — 117th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,564.4 — 5th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +280.5 — 11th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,832.1 — 8th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 43,091
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6. Goldsboro, North Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +382.4
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 338 — 209th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 992.6 — 27th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +382.6 — 5th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,165.9 — 38th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 34,647
Source: Aaron Yoder / iStock via Getty Images
5. South Bend, Indiana
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +391.0
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,421 — 54th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,391.5 — 10th highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +397.3 — 4th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,728.4 — 9th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 102,037
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4. Rocky Mount, North Carolina
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +397.3
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 496 — 155th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 926.8 — 32nd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +361.4 — 6th highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,149.1 — 42nd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 54,548
Source: Xianghong Garrison / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Memphis, Tennessee
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +490.8
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 12,479 — 5th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,917.1 — 2nd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +450.6 — 3rd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,352.0 — 2nd highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 651,932
Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Saginaw, Michigan
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +576.5
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 886 — 83rd highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 1,854.8 — 3rd highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +679.9 — 2nd highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,154.2 — 4th highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 48,650
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1. Monroe, Louisiana
> Change in reported aggravated assault rate, 2019-2020: +1,271.7
> Aggravated assaults reported in 2020: 1,217 — 65th highest of 1,123 cities
> Aggravated assaults per 100K people in 2020: 2,582.8 — the highest of 1,123 cities
> 1-yr. change in all violent crime: +1,203.5 — the highest of 1,119 cities
> Violent crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,969.1 — the highest of 1,122 cities
> Population: 48,241
Methodology
To determine the cities 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 cities 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.
To concentrate on urban areas, we excluded places with fewer than 25,000 people based on five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
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