Over the last decade, the risk to public safety posed by fires has grown in the United States. The change has been driven in part by the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, which typically start either naturally or through human carelessness. Each year, however, there are also thousands of cases of arson reported in the U.S. – in which private homes or other structures, vehicles, and even grasslands and forests are set on fire deliberately. (So far, these have been the 30 most destructive wildfires in the U.S. this century.)
According to data compiled by the United States Bomb Data Center, a division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a total of 33,628 cases of arson were reported nationwide between 2017 and 2021. Over that five-year period, arson cases resulted in 447 deaths and nearly 900 injuries. The vast majority of these reported arson cases were concentrated in just a handful of states. Â
Reviewing data from the USBDC’s five most recent annual Arson Incident Reports, collected as part of the Bomb Arson Tracking System, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the number of arson cases in each state between 2017 and 2021 and ranked them from fewest to most. It is important to note that arson data compiled by the ATF is dependent on real-time reported incidents and likely undercounts the actual number of arson cases.Â
Click here to see states most plagued by arson.
In most cases, the motive for arson is unknown or unreported. In cases where motive was identified, however, revenge, vandalism, and concealment of another crime and the most common reasons.Â
While many of the states with the most reported arson cases are also some of the largest by population, there are several notable exceptions. For example, Kansas, a state home to fewer than three million people, had over 1,800 cases of arson in the last five years. Meanwhile, in New York, a state with a population of over 20 million, had fewer than 700 over the same period. (Here is a look at America’s most dangerous states.)
Source: John Pennell / iStock via Getty Images
50. Alaska
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.1 — the fewest
> Population (2020): 733,391 — 3rd smallest
[in-text-ad]
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
49. Hawaii
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 3
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.2 — 2nd fewest
> Population (2020): 1,455,271 — 11th smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
47. Vermont
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 4
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.6 — 4th fewest
> Population (2020): 643,077 — 2nd smallest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
47. Wyoming
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 4
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.7 — 5th fewest
> Population (2020): 576,851 — the smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
46. Nebraska
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 24
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 1.2 — 8th fewest
> Population (2020): 1,961,504 — 14th smallest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
45. Montana
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 26
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 2.4 — 14th fewest
> Population (2020): 1,084,225 — 7th smallest
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
44. Massachusetts
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 31
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.4 — 3rd fewest
> Population (2020): 7,029,917 — 15th largest
24/7 Wall St.
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
43. Idaho
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 32
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 1.7 — 11th fewest
> Population (2020): 1,839,106 — 13th smallest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
42. North Dakota
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 34
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 4.4 — 25th fewest
> Population (2020): 779,094 — 4th smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
41. Connecticut
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 37
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 1.0 — 7th fewest
> Population (2020): 3,605,944 — 22nd smallest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
40. Delaware
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 38
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.8 — 22nd fewest
> Population (2020): 989,948 — 6th smallest
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
39. Mississippi
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 44
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 1.5 — 9th fewest
> Population (2020): 2,961,279 — 17th smallest
Source: EunikaSopotnicka / iStock via Getty Images
38. South Dakota
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 45
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 5.1 — 25th most
> Population (2020): 886,667 — 5th smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
37. Arkansas
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 48
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 1.6 — 10th fewest
> Population (2020): 3,011,524 — 18th smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
36. Maine
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 58
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 4.3 — 23rd fewest
> Population (2020): 1,362,359 — 9th smallest
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
35. Arizona
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 63
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 0.9 — 6th fewest
> Population (2020): 7,151,502 — 14th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images
34. Rhode Island
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 75
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 6.8 — 19th most
> Population (2020): 1,097,379 — 8th smallest
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. Oklahoma
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 99
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 2.5 — 15th fewest
> Population (2020): 3,959,353 — 23rd smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. New Mexico
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 120
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 5.7 — 22nd most
> Population (2020): 2,117,522 — 15th smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
31. Oregon
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 128
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.0 — 17th fewest
> Population (2020): 4,237,256 — 24th smallest
Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
30. Iowa
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 136
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 4.3 — 24th fewest
> Population (2020): 3,190,369 — 20th smallest
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. New Hampshire
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 159
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 11.5 — 14th most
> Population (2020): 1,377,529 — 10th smallest
Source: JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images
28. Wisconsin
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 176
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.0 — 16th fewest
> Population (2020): 5,893,718 — 20th largest
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
27. Minnesota
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 179
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.1 — 18th fewest
> Population (2020): 5,706,494 — 22nd largest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
26. Utah
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 182
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 5.6 — 23rd most
> Population (2020): 3,271,616 — 21st smallest
Source: Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
25. Michigan
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 211
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 2.1 — 12th fewest
> Population (2020): 10,077,331 — 10th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
24. Alabama
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 260
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 5.2 — 24th most
> Population (2020): 5,024,279 — 24th largest
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
23. Pennsylvania
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 288
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 2.2 — 13th fewest
> Population (2020): 13,002,700 — 5th largest
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
22. Colorado
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 334
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 5.8 — 21st most
> Population (2020): 5,773,714 — 21st largest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Aneese / iStock via Getty Images
21. New Jersey
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 342
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.7 — 21st fewest
> Population (2020): 9,288,994 — 11th largest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
20. Louisiana
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 363
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 7.8 — 17th most
> Population (2020): 4,657,757 — 25th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
19. North Carolina
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 384
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.7 — 20th fewest
> Population (2020): 10,439,388 — 9th largest
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
18. South Carolina
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 447
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 8.7 — 15th most
> Population (2020): 5,118,425 — 23rd largest
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Nevada
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 504
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 16.2 — 10th most
> Population (2020): 3,104,614 — 19th smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
16. Tennessee
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 532
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 7.7 — 18th most
> Population (2020): 6,910,840 — 16th largest
Source: Eloi_Omella / iStock via Getty Images
15. New York
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 672
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 3.3 — 19th fewest
> Population (2020): 20,201,249 — 4th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
14. Virginia
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 750
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 8.7 — 16th most
> Population (2020): 8,631,393 — 12th largest
24/7 Wall St.
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
13. West Virginia
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 796
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 44.4 — 2nd most
> Population (2020): 1,793,716 — 12th smallest
Source: thyegn / iStock via Getty Images
12. Washington
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 955
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 12.4 — 13th most
> Population (2020): 7,705,281 — 13th largest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
11. Kentucky
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 981
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 21.8 — 6th most
> Population (2020): 4,505,836 — 25th smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. Indiana
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1,063
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 15.7 — 11th most
> Population (2020): 6,785,528 — 17th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
9. Maryland
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1,475
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 23.9 — 5th most
> Population (2020): 6,177,224 — 18th largest
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
8. Georgia
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1,813
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 16.9 — 9th most
> Population (2020): 10,711,908 — 8th largest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Kansas
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1,840
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 62.6 — the most
> Population (2020): 2,937,880 — 16th smallest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
6. Missouri
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 1,948
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 31.6 — 3rd most
> Population (2020): 6,154,913 — 19th largest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Ohio
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 2,316
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 19.6 — 7th most
> Population (2020): 11,799,448 — 7th largest
[in-text-ad]
Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images
4. California
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 2,391
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 6.0 — 20th most
> Population (2020): 39,538,223 — the largest
24/7 Wall St.
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
3. Illinois
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 3,556
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 27.8 — 4th most
> Population (2020): 12,812,508 — 6th largest
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
2. Florida
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 3,688
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 17.1 — 8th most
> Population (2020): 21,538,187 — 3rd largest
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Barbara Smyers / iStock via Getty Images
1. Texas
> Cases of reported arson (2017-2021): 3,835
> Arson cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021): 13.2 — 12th most
> Population (2020): 29,145,505 — 2nd largest
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
