The Top 16 Most Dangerous States in America in 2024

Whether it is climate change threatening our very existence or wars spreading throughout the planet, the world is becoming more dangerous. However, when it comes to crime, it has always existed. Pickpockets have lined the streets of Barcelona for more than a hundred years. Domestic abuse is rampant in low-educated areas where men aren’t taught to value women. There’s violent crime everywhere, but in some places, it’s higher than others.

Let’s take a look at the top 16 most dangerous states in America. We’ll highlight each state, its violent crime rate, and a few other facts.

Washington DC

Technically, Washington DC is not a state. It is a district that is home to the capital of the United States. Don’t let the fancy buildings that house the nation’s government officials fool you. Notoriously, Washington DC has been one of the most dangerous cities in the US for many years. The crime rate is so high that even members of Congress have been assaulted in the city.  

Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the nation. It’s also one of the least populated states in the country. One would think that because there aren’t a lot of people, that crime rates would be low. For Alaska, that’s not the case. The remoteness of the state is one of the reasons why violent crimes happen with lagged police action. The two biggest cities in Alaska are very dangerous and have high violent crime rates. 

New Mexico

Here’s another state that is not as populated but the crime rate is high. New Mexico is the state with the second-highest violent crime in the US. Violent crime is most dangerous in Albuquerque, Gallup, and Roswell. The most common crimes in the state are assault and property offenses — whether it’s vandalism or breaking and entering. 

Tennessee

Property crime in Tennessee is on the high and it’s only getting worse. The crime rate in Tennessee is rising slowly and unfortunately, Memphis has the distinction of being the most dangerous city in the country. The crime rate in the city is 237% higher than the country average.

Arkansas

Arkansas has the unfortunate distinction of having a high violent crime rate. The average is about 7.1 per 1,000 people. Property offenses are also high, with people reporting stolen things the most. Little Rock and Helena are some of the most dangerous cities in Arkansas.

Arizona

Arizona is amongst the states with the most violent crime in the country. The most dangerous city in the state is South Tucson and certain neighborhoods in other larger cities like Phoenix and Tempe. However, there is a lot of tourism in the state, which makes it rampant for pickpocketing and muggings. So, be aware of that when you visit the Grand Canyon and other tourist hotspots in the state.

Louisiana

Louisiana is one of the most dangerous states in the US, mainly because of New Orleans, which has one of the highest homicide rates in the country. Several other cities throughout Louisiana also have a high violent crime rate, including property offenses. Though, something to be said about Louisianan crime: it usually happens to people who know each other. Tourists needn’t worry.

Missouri

Although the small towns of Higginsville and Cottleville are considered some of the safest cities in Missouri, the larger cities are infamous for being more crime-ridden. St. Louis in particular is the most dangerous city in the state. The homicide rate of 68 murders per 100,000 people is extremely high and one of the highest in the country. There is also a high share of violent crimes, property offenses, and muggings.

South Carolina

The state as a whole is below the national average, but some cities in particular can be quite dangerous. Charleston is one of the safest cities in the country. But if you go closer to the Atlantic Ocean like in Myrtle Beach, you can see an increase in pickpocketing or muggings. To stay clear of violent crime, your best bet is smaller towns like Fort Mill or Mount Pleasant.

South Dakota

South Dakota has a low population, but like statements earlier in this article, don’t let populations fool you. There is a 1 in 198 chance that you will become a victim of a crime in South Dakota. Property offenses have decreased, but murder rates have increased in recent years. The state also has a high rate of drunk driving. Sioux Falls, the largest city in the state, is considered the state’s most dangerous city.

Michigan

Michigan is one of the most dangerous states because of Detroit, which is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country. It has held the distinction of being one of the most dangerous cities for many years. The crime rate in Detroit is two times the state average and many of the crimes in the city are usually gang-related. In fact, 1 in 44 people are victims of a gang-related crime. 

Montana

Montana is a big state with very few people, so crime is concentrated in its cities. So it’s no surprise that the most dangerous parts of the state are in its cities like Helena and Billings. Billings has a rate of 4,765 property crimes per 100,000 people, making it one of the cities with higher property offenses in the state.

Nevada

Nevada is one of the most dangerous states in the nation. There is a high rate of many crimes like robbery, car thefts, assault, muggings, and forcible rape. When it comes to robbery, Nevada is one of the worst states in the country.

Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma is on the list because of its violent crime rate which includes nearly 7.4 homicides per 100,000 residents. Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which are the state’s most populous cities, are the most dangerous cities in the state. There is also a high property crime rate and high theft rate, as well.

Alabama

The state’s crime rates are higher than the national average and it’s not only violent crime, but also property offenses and gun violence. Because Alabama is an open-carry state, there may be a correlation between the high gun violence and the high rate of Alabamans owning guns.

Texas

The state of Texas rounds out the list of the 16 most dangerous cities. Although Austin, the state capital, is one of the safest cities in the state, others are not. San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston are among the more dangerous cities in the state. Texas has a high rate of homicides, and because of the state’s lax rules in firearm owning, handguns are everywhere. Anyone over the age of 21 can carry a handgun anywhere they go.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the top 16 most dangerous states in America. Many problems exist in cities where robberies are more rampant. However other states are not as populated where violent crime exists. It could happen behind closed doors or out in the open. The state legislatures and individual city governments have a responsibility to address these issues and combat crime. Let’s hope things get better in these states soon!

Top 16 Most Dangerous States in America