Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America - Crime Time!
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Updated Aug 07, 2024
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America
Check out the top 10 most dangerous cities in America, where crime rates are highest. This list highlights areas with significant safety concerns, including high rates of violent crime. Learn about the challenges these cities face and how crime impacts their communities. Stay informed about the most critical safety issues across the country.
Memphis
Memphis has a high level of violent crime, with a rate of 24.37 incidents per 1,000 people. The most common type of crime is aggravated assault. The city is working hard to reduce crime through special police efforts and community programs. Even with these actions, crime still affects the lives of people in Memphis, affecting their job opportunities and overall safety.
About
Memphis is a city in southwest Tennessee along the Mississippi River, known for its important blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll music. Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash made records at the famous Sun Studio, and Elvis's home, Graceland, is a popular spot to visit. The city also has notable music sites like the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
- State: Tennessee
- Population: 6.21 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 901
- Demonym: Memphian
- Elevation: 337 ft (103 m)
- Founded: May 22, 1819
- Incorporated: December 19, 1826
- Named for: Memphis, Egypt
St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. with a violent crime rate of 14.70 per 1,000 people, mostly due to aggravated assaults. The high crime rate is linked to wider social and economic issues. The city is working on strategies and community programs to reduce these high crime numbers.
About
St. Louis is a big city in Missouri by the Mississippi River. Its famous 630-foot Gateway Arch, built in the 1960s, celebrates the early 19th-century explorations of Lewis and Clark and America's westward expansion. You can see the arch from replica paddlewheel boats on the river. The Soulard area is known for its barbecue restaurants and blues music clubs.
- State: Missouri
- Population: 2.87 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 314/557
- CSA: St. Louis–St. Charles–Farmington, MO–IL
- Demonym(s): St. Louisan; Saint Louisan
- Elevation: 466 ft (142 m)
- Founded: February 14, 1764
- Incorporated: 1822
Little Rock
Little Rock has a high rate of violent crime, especially aggravated assaults, with a rate of 18.25 per 1,000 people. Although it's a smaller city, its crime rate is similar to that of larger cities. The city is working on community policing and crime prevention programs to improve safety.
About
Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is located on the Arkansas River. It features the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, which includes a replica of the Oval Office and presidential artifacts. The Old State House Museum, housed in an 1800s Greek Revival building, showcases Arkansas's history. MacArthur Park offers a pond and the Arkansas Arts Center, known for its extensive collection of drawings.
- State: Arkansas
- Population: 2.03 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 501
- Demonym: Little Rocker
- Elevation: 279 ft (85 m)
- Founded: June 1, 1821
- Incorporated (city): November 2, 1835
Minneapolis
Minneapolis has a high rate of violent crimes, especially aggravated assaults, with 12.45 incidents per 1,000 people. Recent increases in these crimes have led city officials to explore better ways to reduce them. The city is working on community-based programs to cut down on crime and improve the connection between police and local residents.
About
Minneapolis is a big city in Minnesota that, along with St. Paul, forms the "Twin Cities." The city is split by the Mississippi River and is known for its parks and lakes. It has cultural spots like the Walker Art Center, which is a modern art museum, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, famous for the "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture by Claes Oldenburg.
- State: Minnesota
- Population: 4.25 lakhs (2022)
- Elevation: 253 m
- Area code: 612
- Demonym: Minneapolitan
- Founded by: Franklin Steele and John H. Stevens
- Incorporated: 1867
Detroit
Detroit is often mentioned when talking about urban decline and crime in the U.S. The city has a high violent crime rate of 20.59 per 1,000 people, with many cases of aggravated assaults and robberies. Economic struggles and a shrinking population have added to these problems. However, Detroit is working on improving the city and reducing crime through social programs and community efforts to make it safer.
About
Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, is known for its neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts, which features Diego Rivera's famous Detroit Industry Murals. The city, nicknamed "Motor City" due to its connection to the auto industry, is also the birthplace of Motown Records. You can explore the history of Motown at Hitsville U.S.A., its original headquarters.
- State: Michigan
- Population: 6.2 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 313
- Demonym: Detroiter
- Elevation: 656 ft (200 m)
- Founded: July 24, 1701
- Incorporated: September 13, 1806
Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, has a high rate of violent crimes, with 14.83 incidents per 1,000 people, mostly due to aggravated assaults. The city is working on improving safety through better policing and community programs that involve residents in preventing crime.
About
Kansas City is located on Missouri's western edge, near the Kansas border. It's famous for its barbecue, jazz music, and fountains. In the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, you can visit the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the same building. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, known for its giant shuttlecock sculptures outside, has nearly 40,000 pieces of art, from ancient to modern.
- State: Missouri
- Population: 5.09 lakhs (2022)
- Area codes: 816, 975
- Demonym: Kansas Citian
- Elevation: 910 ft (277 m)
- Incorporated (City): March 28, 1853; 171 years ago
- Incorporated (Town): June 1, 1850; 174 years ago
New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its lively culture but struggles with high levels of violent crime, especially aggravated assaults. The city's violent crime rate is 14.46 per 1,000 people, much higher than the national average. To tackle these issues, the city is working on improving community policing and adding more surveillance in risky areas to help reduce crime and make the city safer for everyone.
About
New Orleans, a city in Louisiana on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico, is nicknamed the "Big Easy." It's famous for its nonstop nightlife, lively music scene, and unique cuisine influenced by French, African, and American cultures. The city is best known for Mardi Gras, a late-winter festival with lively parades and street parties.
- State: Louisiana
- Population: 3.7 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 504
- Demonym: New Orleanian
- Elevation: −6.5 to 20 ft (−2 to 6 m)
- Founded: 1718; 306 years ago
- Named for: Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (1674–1723)
- Parish: Orleans
Cleveland
Cleveland has a high rate of violent crimes, with 16.27 incidents per 1,000 people, mainly due to aggravated assaults. The city is working to improve safety through community involvement and enhanced policing. These efforts aim to address the root causes of crime and reduce the impact on residents.
About
Cleveland, officially known as the City of Cleveland, is located in Ohio, along the southern shore of Lake Erie. It's situated across the maritime border from Canada and about 60 miles west of Pennsylvania.
- State: Ohio
- Population: 3.62 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 216
- Demonym: Clevelander
- Elevation: 653 ft (199 m)
- Founded: July 22, 1796
- Incorporated (city): March 5, 1836
Houston
Houston struggles with a high rate of violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, with a rate of 11.35 per 1,000 residents. To address this, the city has introduced various strategies like community policing and focused interventions in crime-prone areas. These efforts aim to reduce violent crime and enhance safety for everyone in the community.
About
Houston is a large city in Texas, extending to Galveston Bay. It is closely connected with Space Center Houston, which is NASA’s center for astronaut training and flight control. The city's compact Downtown area features the Theater District, known for the Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, which boasts 19th-century architecture and upscale restaurants.
- State: Texas
- Population: 23 lakhs (2022)
- Area codes: 713, 281, 832, 346
- Demonym: Houstonian
- Elevation: 80 ft (32 m)
- Incorporated: June 5, 1837; 187 years ago
- Named for: Sam Houston
Milwaukee
Milwaukee struggles with high levels of violent crime, particularly aggravated assaults, with a rate of 15.18 per 1,000 residents. As one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., Milwaukee is working on tackling crime by targeting high-risk areas and enhancing law enforcement strategies. These efforts are designed to lower crime rates and strengthen community safety.
About
Milwaukee is a city in Wisconsin, located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. It's famous for its breweries, many of which offer tours highlighting the city's beer industry history. The Harley-Davidson Museum, overlooking the Menomonee River, features classic motorcycles, including one that belonged to Elvis Presley. Nearby, the Milwaukee Public Museum showcases a European Village and a recreation of historic Milwaukee.
- State: Wisconsin
- Population: 5.63 lakhs (2022)
- Area code: 414
- Demonym: Milwaukeean
- Elevation: 617 ft (188 m)
- Founded by: Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George H. Walker
- Incorporated: January 31, 1846; 178 years ago
- Named for: Potawatomi for "gathering place by the water"