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NeighborhoodScout’s Most Dangerous Cities – 2023

Jan 12, 2023 | by: The NeighborhoodScout Team | Crime, Top Lists
NeighborhoodScout’s Most Dangerous Cities – 2023

2023 Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S.

Our research reveals the 100 most dangerous cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents.  Violent crimes include rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.  The data used for this research are the number of violent crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and the population of each city.  Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2021 and released in October 2022, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.

This year, Monroe, LA was replaced by Bessemer, AL, dropping from its two-year ranking as the number one most violent city in America to the ranking of third.  Bessemer has 33.18 violent crimes per 1,000 population, and the chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 30.

There are 10 newcomers to the list this year.  Mobile, AL leads among other newcomers with a violent crime rate of 27.94, with the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime at one in 36 in compared to all of Alabama, which is one in 168.  Cities Winston-Salem and Statesville, both in North Carolina, follow Mobile, AL with respective violent crime rates of 11.49 and 11.23.  This state is the only with more than one newcomer that has made the list.  Denver, the largest community in Colorado, is safer than only one percent of U.S. cities.

Many of the dangerous cities on the list this year have appeared on past lists.  For those who live in these cities, NeighborhoodScout can help you find the safest neighborhoods nearby any city using our Create feature.  For example, by searching for the lowest crime rate within 15 miles of the number one most dangerous city, Bessemer, AL you can find the neighborhood of New Hope in Birmingham, AL is safer than 99% of neighborhoods nationwide.  Similarly, a search for the lowest crime rate within 10 miles from the seventy-second most dangerous city, Dayton OH, you will find the Oakwood West neighborhood right in Dayton is safer than 96% of neighborhoods nationwide.  We encourage you to use this feature to find your own safe neighborhoods among dangerous cities.

See the complete dangerous U.S. cities list below.  Click on any city name for a complete crime report and neighborhood crime map.

For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the most dangerous cities in America

1. Bessemer, AL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 33.1
  • Your chance of being a victim: 1 in 30

2. Mobile, AL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 27.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 35

3. Monroe, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 26.3
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 38

4. Saginaw, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 25.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 39

5. Memphis, TN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 25.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 39

6. Detroit, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 23.0
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 43

7. Birmingham, AL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 20.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 49

8. Pine Bluff, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 20.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 48

9. Little Rock, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 20.2
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 49

10. Alexandria, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 18.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 53

11. Cleveland, OH

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 17.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 58

12. Kalamazoo, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 16.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 59

13. Milwaukee, WI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 16.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 59

14. Albany, GA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 16.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 61

15. Gadsden, AL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

16. Danville, IL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

17. Lansing, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

18. Baltimore, MD

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

19. Springfield, MO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 64

20. Spartanburg, SC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.2
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 65

21. Rockford, IL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.0
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

22. Wilmington, DE

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 15.0
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

23. St. Louis, MO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

24. San Bernardino, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 67

25. Kansas City, MO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 68

26. Canton, OH

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 68

27. Chester, PA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 68

28. South Bend, IN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 69

29. Inkster, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 14.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 70

30. Albuquerque, NM

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 71

31. Chattanooga, TN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 71

32. Terre Haute, IN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 71

33. New Orleans, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 72

34. Camden, NJ

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 72

35. East Point, GA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 73

36. Minneapolis, MN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 74

37. Florence, SC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 13.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 75

38. Elkhart, IN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 77

39. Pueblo, CO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

40. Stockton, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

41. Oakland, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

42. Flint, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

43. Houston, TX

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 80

44. Jacksonville, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

45. Myrtle Beach, SC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

46. Paragould, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

47. Battle Creek, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 12.0
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

48. Tacoma, WA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 83

49. Baton Rouge, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 83

50. Jackson, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

51. North Little Rock, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

52. Nashville, TN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

53. Pontiac, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

54. Wichita, KS

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

55. Newnan, GA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

56. Compton, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

57. Riviera Beach, FL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 86

58. Winston-Salem, NC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 87

59. Anchorage, AK

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 87

60. Statesville, NC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.2
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

61. Fort Smith, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

62. Springfield, OH

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.0
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 90

63. Palm Springs, FL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 91

64. Beaumont, TX

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 91

65. East Chicago, IN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 91

66. Tulsa, OK

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 91

67. Lubbock, TX

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

68. Toledo, OH

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

69. York, PA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

70. Barstow, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

71. Farmington, NM

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 93

72. Dayton, OH

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

73. Bossier City, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

74. North Charleston, SC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

75. Aurora, CO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98

76. Daytona Beach, FL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 10.1
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98

77. South Salt Lake, UT

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

78. Salt Lake City, UT

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

79. Billings, MT

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.9
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

80. Washington, DC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 101

81. Grand Rapids, MI

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.8
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 101

82. Louisville, KY

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 102

83. Fayetteville, NC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

84. Huntsville, AL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

85. Denver, CO

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.7
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

86. Goldsboro, NC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

87. Holyoke, MA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

88. Wheeling, WV

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

89. Vallejo, CA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

90. Shreveport, LA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

91. Muskogee, OK

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.6
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

92. Panama City, FL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 104

93. Dover, DE

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

94. Atlanta, GA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

95. Jackson, TN

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.5
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

96. Texarkana, AR

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.4
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

97. Lake Worth Beach , FL

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106

98. Chamblee, GA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106

99. Springfield, MA

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106

100. Rocky Mount, NC

  • Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107