People have multiple definitions of danger. However, when defining the Top 10 most dangerous places in the US, most think about crime rates. Usually, those are not minor crimes like theft or trespassing but serious ones such as homicide and burglary. Cities, especially megapolises, are the usual culprits in such a chart. Curiously, multicultural settlements such as New York rarely reach the Top 10.
Other cities are labeled dangerous because of old notions or popular culture influences – Detroit, for example. Although the city has a notorious reputation and finds its place in the Top 10, there are attempts to reduce the crime rate. Other towns that put extensive effort into fighting crime and making neighborhoods safe places to live are winning government policy.
How do we determine the Top 10 most dangerous places in the US? We base our chart on official FBI reports that indicate the crime rate around the country per 100,000. The report for 2023 shows that these were the places with the most significant numbers. When you consider moving to one of those, beware of the risks you might be taking.
Ranked: Top 10 Most Dangerous Places In the US
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is the second largest city in the state of Missouri. Its first inhabitants were French settlers, and the town was named after King Louis IX. The city was an Olympic site for the 2020 games. A range of home and international renown companies are based in St. Louis. Although it provides various opportunities for young people and professionals, the city tops the chart of the most dangerous places in the United States.
According to official numbers, the crime rate in St. Louis as of 2023 is 149.6, making it the worst place for settling in terms of crime and peace of life. There is even a popular book telling the story of the most notorious crimes in Missouri. The chart of the top 10 includes another Missouri representative – the city of Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy – Kansas. It’s not exactly a fairy tale material.
Detroit, Michigan
Eddie Murphy, portraying the famous Beverly Hills cop, might have tackled crime in the 80s in Detroit, but things didn’t get any better. The city is infamous for its crime rate. It can also boost notorious fame in drug gangs and related criminal organizations. Young Boys, Detroit-born, were among the first African-American gangs dealing drugs.
In the 80’s, the Chambers Brothers became the biggest drug-related gang in the city. If we look even back in history, the infamous bootlegging Purple gang operated at the beginning of the 20th century. Detroit has its fair share of crime and a long history of notorious citizens.
In 2017, federal agents charged one of the infamous Young Boys with new drug dealing charges. The war on drugs and related crimes never ends in the automobile capital. Well, not in 2023, which records a crime rate of 35 violent crimes per day.
Baltimore, Maryland
Number three in the chart of the Top 10 most dangerous cities, Baltimore is famous as the home to the oldest railroad and the inspiration behind the original poem that developed as the national anthem. It is one of the most historically rich American cities. Nicknamed the Charm City, Baltimore still needs to live up to its fame nowadays.
The crime rate in the city for 2023 is distributed as follows: 16% for violent crimes and 30% for property-related ones. It’s not a pretty statistic for one of the biggest cities in the country. Just for July, the police investigated 20 homicides and 85 shootings that luckily did not result in manslaughter. One of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city is Cherry Hill, with more than 3,000 violent crimes.
Memphis, Tennessee
The famous Elvis Presley city ranks fourth in the chart of the Top 10 most dangerous cities in the USA as of crime records in 2023. It seems the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was inspired in the right place. Memphis is probably among the most popular sites for political assassinations since Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered there in 1968.
At the beginning of 2023, the city’s crime rate almost doubled compared to 2023, indicating more than 43% in property crime. Among these numbers are hidden car thefts, break-ins, and crimes committed at gunpoint. If you plan a Mississippi trip, avoid dangerous areas and wandering at night.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is notorious for child crime rates from the late 80s onwards. Adding to that is their record of 85 murders in 2022, which maintains the high position of the city in the charts of most dangerous settlements. Although there is serious effort from local law enforcement to battle the tendency, Little Rock remains one of the most dangerous cities in the States.
On the other hand, it is still attractive as the starting point for many nature-inspired trips. People who visit the city can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and rich historical background. Let’s hope Little Rock will do better in next year’s chart.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The city of Milwaukee has made a significant impact with its beer culture. Famous brewers operate in the city and organize festivals that locals and guests enjoy. Maybe not surprisingly, the town famous for mild alcohol is also in the country’s top ten most dangerous cities.
The crime rate in Milwaukee is a challenge to businesses. It has a definite impact on the overall depiction of the city. Generally known as a good place for starting a new job, the city experiences trouble convincing families to move in as of the 2023 crime rate. Adding to that issues about race and ethnicity, Milwaukee is facing challenging times.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, certainly has some bad guys looming around. Struggling in its battle with poverty, the city council has yet to find a way to decrease the crime rates of this Ohio city. The city is infamous for one of the country’s highest child and teenage crime rates.
In 2015 the police department in Cleveland began a reform aimed at more sufficient police work and deduction of crime levels. As with most of the major U.S. cities, strong efforts in declining crime numbers saw some hopeful results until 2021. This particular year was a milestone for crime when numbers went up again throughout the whole country.
The home of the Cleveland Cavaliers is notorious for the serial killer case of Michael Madison and Anthony Sowell who were both successfully prosecuted and sentenced for their crimes.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The biggest and most populous city of New Mexico has a lot to offer to visitors and residents. Albuquerque is a diverse town where different cultures are represented in architecture, culture, and social life. The cuisine, the artwork, and various traditions appeal to a wide range of travelers.
Different guides place the city as one of the good places to live since the price of homes is 7% lower compared to other U.S. regions. While Albuquerque is considered a place with ample job opportunities, its place in the top ten crime-record cities is not very favorable. If we are true to numbers, the city compares to one of the most dangerous places in the world such as Bogota.
In fact, in 2020 the city boosted the infamous statistic of the place where the most kidnapping cases were investigated. If you are planning on visiting the city this year, research the safest places to go, and don’t stray from the path!
Kansas City, Missouri
Undoubtedly, Kansas is a vibrant place with great cultural and historical heritage. As the biggest settlement in the state, it offers endless opportunities for both residents and visitors. You can have a great time in the city if you know where to look. In the dark city, Kansas has a high crime rate that is above the average in the States.
While the 80s and the 90s were marked by energy-related crimes, since the region is rich in natural resources such as oil, more modern crime history is marked with serial killer cases and women trafficking. The FBI and local police joined forces against some terrorist activity after the 9th of September, 2011.
Stockton, California
The Sunshine State is also represented in the chart of the most crime-famous cities in the country. Stockton is the winner with 4, 258 crimes per 100, 000 people. The chance to be a victim of a crime is one in every 23 people. Those numbers are higher than the national average.
On the other hand, Stockton is the home of one of the oldest universities in the U.S. and is largely considered a family-friendly city. It is proud of its history heritage, museums, and art diversity. One thing is guaranteed, you can enjoy a great time in the Stockton Marina area.
The dangerous cities in the United States
The list can be expanded to include the 25 most dangerous cities in the United States and you will find other notorious places of crime but also cities known for their world importance and tourist attractions. Sometimes numbers don’t tell the whole story and other important factors should be taken into consideration if we want to determine the actual suitability of a city for living, working, or studying.
Some cities in the U.S. are truly not safe to wonder about (recently San Francisco turned into such a place), while others have well-known issues with poverty and lack of job opportunities. As in any industrialized area, cities have to constantly battle drug-related crimes, gangs, theft, and violence. The efforts to provide education, equal opportunities, and help to all are good countermeasures against crime.