Top 9 Most Dangerous Cities in America (2025 Updated)

In recent years, the United States has experienced notable fluctuations in crime rates.

According to the FBI’s Quarterly Uniform Crime Report for January through June 2024, there was a 10.3% decrease in reported violent crimes compared to the same period in 2023.

Specifically, murders decreased by 22.7%, rapes by 17.7%, robberies by 13.6%, and aggravated assaults by 8.1%.

9. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, known for its vibrant arts scene and beautiful lakes, has been grappling with a notable increase in violent crime. In 2024, the city reported 76 homicides, up from 72 the previous year, and significantly higher than the 48 homicides recorded in 2019.

Themovecrew notes that the violent crime rate stands at 1,155 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 316.2% higher than the state average and 197.8% above the national average. Aggravated assaults are a significant concern, contributing to the city’s elevated violent crime rate.

Property crimes are also prevalent, with a rate of 4,558 incidents per 100,000 residents, marking a 114.5% increase over the state average and 132.8% above the national average.

Burglaries have seen a slight uptick, while other property crimes have experienced declines according to Minnesota Reformer.

Efforts to address these challenges include community engagement initiatives and targeted law enforcement strategies aimed at reducing violence and improving public safety.

8. Seattle, Washington

Seattle, celebrated for its tech industry and natural beauty, faces significant crime challenges. The violent crime rate is 777 incidents per 100,000 residents, notably higher than the national median of 400.

Property crime is particularly concerning, with a rate of 5,110 incidents per 100,000 residents, more than double the national median of 1,900 according to the neighborhoodscout.com.

In 2024, the city recorded 5,870 violent crimes and 38,587 property crimes.

Neighborhoods such as South Park and Rainier Beach experience higher crime rates, while areas like Hawthorne Hills and Matthews Beach are among the safer communities.

Factors contributing to Seattle’s crime rates include challenges related to homelessness and drug addiction.

The city has implemented various initiatives to address these issues, including increased funding for social services and law enforcement efforts focused on high-crime areas.

7. Portland, Oregon

Violent crime has been on the decline in Portland since 2020.https://t.co/uzHl7cOY5I

— KATU News (@KATUNews) May 19, 2024

Portland, known for its vibrant culture and progressive values, has faced significant challenges with crime rates in recent years. However, recent data indicates a positive trend in reducing violent crimes.

Oregon Public Broadcasting says that in the first six months of 2024, Portland experienced a 17% decrease in homicides compared to the same period in 2023.

Additionally, there were reductions in aggravated assaults, robberies, and rapes during this timeframe. These improvements align with a national downturn in violent crime observed in many major U.S. cities.

Contributing Factors

• Community Policing Initiatives: Enhanced collaboration between law enforcement and community members has fostered trust and improved crime reporting.
• Investment in Social Services: Increased funding for mental health services, housing assistance, and addiction treatment has addressed the root causes of criminal behavior.
• Focused Deterrence Strategies: Targeted interventions aimed at high-risk individuals and groups have effectively reduced violent incidents.

Despite these positive trends, Portland continues to grapple with property crimes.

The city reported a larceny-theft rate of 3,841 incidents per 100,000 residents and a motor vehicle theft rate of 1,723 per 100,000 residents, both of which are among the highest for large U.S. cities as noted by The Zebra.

Factors such as high housing costs and understaffed police agencies have contributed to these property crime issues.

Efforts to hire more officers are underway to address these challenges.

6. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, despite its picturesque setting and unique cultural appeal, has faced significant safety challenges. However, recent data indicates notable improvements in public safety.

Deseret News noted that in 2023, Salt Lake City experienced an 11% overall reduction in crime, reaching a 15-year low.

Violent crimes decreased by 10%, while property crimes saw a 12% decline. Notably, the number of homicides remained unchanged during this period.

Contributing Factors

• Enhanced Law Enforcement Strategies: The Salt Lake City Police Department implemented data-driven approaches to allocate resources effectively, focusing on high-crime areas.
• Community Engagement: Initiatives fostering collaboration between law enforcement and residents have built trust and encouraged public participation in crime prevention efforts.
• Economic Development Programs: Efforts to revitalize economically disadvantaged neighborhoods have addressed some root causes of crime, providing residents with better opportunities and resources.

Despite these improvements, Salt Lake City still faces challenges.

The city’s crime rate remains higher than the national average, with a crime rate of 67 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the highest in America compared to all communities of all sizes.

Residents have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime.

Continued efforts are necessary to sustain and build upon the progress made in reducing crime rates according to NeighborhoodScout.

5. Little Rock, Arkansas

This city has long been recognized for its rich history and vibrant culture. However, in recent years, the city has faced significant challenges related to crime.

In 2024, Little Rock reported 37 homicides, marking a 42% decrease from the 64 homicides recorded in 2023 according to arktimes.com.

KARK News notes that the reduction in homicides and violent crimes in 2024 indicates progress in Little Rock’s efforts to enhance public safety. Despite these improvements, the city’s violent crime rate remains a concern, being 299% higher than the national average.

• High Overall Crime Rate: The city’s crime rate is 193% higher than the Arkansas average, indicating the need for sustained efforts to address both violent and property crimes according to getsafeandsound.com.
• Property Crimes: Neighborhoodscout notes that the residents face a 1 in 18 chance of becoming victims of property crime, underscoring the necessity for enhanced security measures and community awareness.

4. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis has long grappled with high violent crime rates, particularly homicides. In 2017, the city reported a violent crime rate of 2,082 incidents per 100,000 residents and a murder rate of 64.9 per 100,000, totaling 205 homicides.

However, recent data indicates a positive trend: in 2023, homicides decreased by 21%, with 158 cases reported compared to 200 the previous year, marking the lowest number in a decade.

Shootings also saw a significant decline, from 722 incidents in 2022 to 550 in 2023, and the number of shooting victims decreased by 23%. These improvements are attributed to targeted crime prevention and intervention strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.

3. Detroit, Michigan

Apnews notes that Detroit has historically faced significant challenges with violent crime, driven by factors such as economic decline and high poverty rates. In 2018, the city reported a violent crime rate of 2,007.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, with 261 homicides.

Encouragingly, preliminary data for 2024 indicates a substantial decrease in violent crime, with 203 homicides reported—the lowest since 1965. Nonfatal shootings, assaults, carjackings, sexual assaults, and robberies also saw reductions.

Mayor Mike Duggan attributes this decline to collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies and community programs like ShotStoppers, which aim to reduce homicides and shootings through local initiatives.

Additionally, the city has bolstered its police force by adding 340 officers over the past two years.

2. Memphis, Tennessee

Renowned for its rich musical heritage and vibrant culture, has faced significant challenges with crime rates in recent years. However, 2024 has seen notable improvements in public safety metrics, reflecting the city’s concerted efforts to enhance security and community well-being according to the City of Memphis 2024 Crime Report.

WREG News notes that the 13% reduction in total crime and the significant decreases in homicides and motor vehicle thefts indicate positive trends in Memphis’s public safety landscape. These improvements are attributed to strategic initiatives implemented by city leadership and law enforcement agencies.

Contributing Factors to Crime Reduction

• Enhanced Law Enforcement Strategies: The Memphis Police Department has intensified its focus on high-crime areas, employing data-driven approaches to allocate resources effectively.
• Community Engagement: Initiatives fostering collaboration between law enforcement and community members have been pivotal in building trust and encouraging public participation in crime prevention efforts.
• Economic Development Programs: Efforts to revitalize economically disadvantaged neighborhoods have addressed some root causes of crime, providing residents with better opportunities and resources.

While citywide crime has decreased, downtown Memphis still experiences higher crime rates compared to previous years. Specifically, violent crime in downtown has decreased by nearly 34%, yet remains higher than in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This indicates a need for targeted interventions in the downtown area as noted by localmemphis.com.

Actionnews5.com says that as of August 2024, Memphis led the nation in homicide rates, underscoring the necessity for sustained efforts to combat violent crime.

1. Detroit, Michigan

Often associated with high crime rates, has recently experienced significant improvements in public safety. In 2024, the city reported 203 homicides, marking a 19% decrease from the previous year and the lowest number since 1965 according to detroitmi.gov.

• Community Engagement: Initiatives like the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) program have been instrumental. In six designated zones, violent crime reductions ranged from 37% to 83% in the last quarter of 2024 as noted by detroitmi.gov.
• Law Enforcement Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation among city, county, state, and federal agencies has led to more effective crime prevention and response strategies.
• Economic Development: Marketwatch.com notes that Efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and increase affordable housing have contributed to safer communities.

Despite these positive trends, Detroit continues to face challenges.

The city’s population has declined over the decades, and while crime rates have decreased, the per capita rates remain a concern.

Sustaining and building upon the progress made in 2024 will require ongoing commitment from both law enforcement and community members.

In summary, Detroit’s recent achievements in reducing crime are encouraging, reflecting the city’s resilience and the effectiveness of targeted interventions.

Continued focus on community engagement, economic development, and inter-agency collaboration will be essential to maintain and further these gains.

Crime rates can impact a city’s appeal, but some urban areas continue to grow at an impressive pace despite these challenges. For example, several of the fastest-growing cities in North America are attracting new residents due to economic opportunities and infrastructure development.

Methodology

We analyzed official crime reports, FBI statistics, and city-specific law enforcement data.

We used 2024 crime reports from government websites, news outlets, and crime databases.

Crime rates were compared year-over-year to track trends and shifts in safety concerns.

Focused on top cities with the highest violent and property crime rates.

Included law enforcement statements and urban policy reports to explain crime trends.

Highlighted both crime reduction efforts and persistent challenges to provide a complete picture.