Introduction
When it comes to determining the most dangerous states in the US, various factors need to be taken into account, such as crime rates, poverty levels, drug use, and gang activity. The number of homicides is also often used as a key indicator of whether a state is considered dangerous or not. California tops the list as the most dangerous state in the US, with 3,498 homicides reported in a year. Texas and Florida follow with 2,993 and 2,087 homicides respectively. It is important to note that some states are more dangerous than others, with certain regions having higher rates of violent crime than others.
One trend that emerges from the data is that the southern states of the US, including Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, all have relatively high rates of homicide. In contrast, the northeastern states of the US, such as Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, have some of the lowest rates of homicide. There are exceptions to this trend, such as Illinois, which ranks fifth on the list with 1,137 homicides, and Missouri, which ranks sixth with 1,108 homicides.
Looking at the overall picture, the southern and western regions of the US have the highest rates of violent crime, while the northeast and midwestern regions have lower rates. It is also worth noting that crime rates can vary significantly within states, with urban areas typically having higher crime rates than rural areas. It is essential to understand that the data only tells part of the story and that there are many factors that contribute to the overall safety of a state, such as poverty, education, and drug addiction rates.
Most Dangerous States in the US
| # | State | Number of Homicides | Homicide Rate | Crime Rate | Gun Death Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 3,498 | 8.8 per 100k | 8.5 per 100k | |
| 2 | Texas | 2,993 | 10.3 per 100k | 3,999.3 per 100k | 14.2 per 100k |
| 3 | Florida | 2,087 | 9.7 per 100k | 13.7 per 100k | |
| 4 | North Carolina | 1,192 | 11.4 per 100k | 4,408.5 per 100k | 16 per 100k |
| 5 | Illinois | 1,137 | 8.9 per 100k | 97.2 per 100k | 14.1 per 100k |
| 6 | Missouri | 1,108 | 18 per 100k | 3,393.7 per 100k | 23.9 per 100k |
| 7 | Ohio | 1,089 | 9.2 per 100k | 3,449.6 per 100k | 15.2 per 100k |
| 8 | New York | 1,087 | 5.4 per 100k | 201.7 per 100k | 5.3 per 100k |
| 9 | Michigan | 1,067 | 10.6 per 100k | 3,854.6 per 100k | 14.6 per 100k |
| 10 | Louisiana | 1,065 | 22.9 per 100k | 1,469.9 per 100k | 26.3 per 100k |
| 11 | Tennessee | 970 | 14 per 100k | 5,926.1 per 100k | 21.3 per 100k |
| 12 | South Carolina | 891 | 17.4 per 100k | 6,006.6 per 100k | 22 per 100k |
| 13 | Virginia | 863 | 10 per 100k | 3,922 per 100k | 13.4 per 100k |
| 14 | Georgia | 834 | 7.8 per 100k | 2,856.6 per 100k | 17.7 per 100k |
| 15 | Arizona | 805 | 11.3 per 100k | 956.2 per 100k | 16.7 per 100k |
| 16 | Maryland | 738 | 11.9 per 100k | 732.4 per 100k | 13.5 per 100k |
| 17 | Indiana | 656 | 9.7 per 100k | 2,598.8 per 100k | 17.3 per 100k |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 499 | 8.5 per 100k | 3,030.9 per 100k | 12.2 per 100k |
| 19 | New Jersey | 497 | 5.4 per 100k | 5 per 100k | |
| 20 | Colorado | 488 | 8.5 per 100k | 5,179.8 per 100k | 15.4 per 100k |
| 21 | Arkansas | 484 | 16.1 per 100k | 6,405.1 per 100k | 22.6 per 100k |
| 22 | Washington | 472 | 6.1 per 100k | 5,132.1 per 100k | 10.9 per 100k |
| 23 | Oklahoma | 471 | 11.9 per 100k | 3,462 per 100k | 20.7 per 100k |
| 24 | Kentucky | 464 | 10.3 per 100k | 3,659.6 per 100k | 20.1 per 100k |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 433 | 3.3 per 100k | 8.3 per 100k | 13.6 per 100k |
| 26 | Mississippi | 350 | 11.8 per 100k | 2,055.9 per 100k | 28.6 per 100k |
| 27 | District of Columbia | 339 | 49.2 per 100k | 317.7 per 100k | |
| 28 | Alabama | 325 | 6.5 per 100k | 257.8 per 100k | 23.6 per 100k |
| 29 | Minnesota | 323 | 5.7 per 100k | 2,771.3 per 100k | 8.9 per 100k |
| 30 | Nevada | 308 | 9.9 per 100k | 2,226.2 per 100k | 17 per 100k |
| 31 | Massachusetts | 230 | 3.3 per 100k | 3,075.4 per 100k | 3.7 per 100k |
| 32 | Connecticut | 220 | 6.1 per 100k | 2,801.4 per 100k | 6 per 100k |
| 33 | New Mexico | 193 | 9.1 per 100k | 3,815.1 per 100k | 22.7 per 100k |
| 34 | Oregon | 188 | 4.4 per 100k | 4,712.3 per 100k | 13 per 100k |
| 35 | Iowa | 172 | 5.4 per 100k | 3,712.4 per 100k | 11.2 per 100k |
| 36 | West Virginia | 162 | 9 per 100k | 2,897.8 per 100k | 18.1 per 100k |
| 37 | Utah | 147 | 4.5 per 100k | 4,498.4 per 100k | 13.6 per 100k |
| 38 | Kansas | 143 | 4.9 per 100k | 4,521.3 per 100k | 16.9 per 100k |
| 39 | Nebraska | 127 | 6.5 per 100k | 10.1 per 100k | |
| 40 | Delaware | 98 | 9.9 per 100k | 5,146.8 per 100k | 14.4 per 100k |
| 41 | Montana | 96 | 8.9 per 100k | 4,289.2 per 100k | 20.9 per 100k |
| 42 | Alaska | 90 | 12.3 per 100k | 23.5 per 100k | |
| 43 | Idaho | 68 | 3.7 per 100k | 3,159.4 per 100k | 17.6 per 100k |
| 44 | Hawaii | 65 | 4.5 per 100k | 2,941.8 per 100k | 3.4 per 100k |
| 45 | South Dakota | 62 | 7 per 100k | 4,928.1 per 100k | 13.6 per 100k |
| 46 | North Dakota | 59 | 7.6 per 100k | 5,105.7 per 100k | 13.8 per 100k |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 46 | 4.2 per 100k | 3,154.5 per 100k | 5.1 per 100k |
| 48 | Maine | 39 | 2.9 per 100k | 1,856.4 per 100k | 10.4 per 100k |
| 49 | Wyoming | 27 | 4.7 per 100k | 566.9 per 100k | 25.9 per 100k |
| 50 | Vermont | 24 | 3.7 per 100k | 2,541.4 per 100k | 11.6 per 100k |
| 51 | New Hampshire | 20 | 1.5 per 100k | 3,390.7 per 100k | 8.9 per 100k |
Most Dangerous States In America
The most dangerous state in America is California with 3,498 homicides. Coming in the second position is Texas with 2,993 homicides. The third most dangerous state in the US. is Florida with 2,087 homicides. Ranking fourth in the country is North Carolina with 1,192 homicides. With 1,137 homicides, Illinois is the fifth most dangerous state in the US. Missouri ranks sixth in the country with 1,108 homicides. Ohio is the seventh most dangerous state in the US with 1,089 homicides. New York ranks eighth and Michigan ninth with 1,087 and 1,067 homicides respectively. Louisiana is the tenth most dangerous state in America with 1,065 homicides.
The top 10 most dangerous states in the US are:
1. California – 3,498 homicides
2. Texas – 2,993 homicides
3. Florida – 2,087 homicides
4. North Carolina– 1,192 homicides
5. Illinois – 1,137 homicides
6. Missouri – 1,108 homicides
7. Ohio – 1,089 homicides
8. New York – 1,087 homicides
9. Michigan – 1,067 homicides
10. Louisiana – 1,065 homicides
Most Dangerous State in the US
California is currently the most dangerous state in the US with an average of 3,498 homicide incidents. Poverty is one of the main drivers of crime in California; 4.5 million Californians live below the poverty line and about 3 million people lack access to basic healthcare. Additionally, gang activity and drug use have been identified as major contributors to high homicide rates in California cities such as Oakland and Los Angeles. Gang-related violence accounts for a significant portion of homicides in California and has been linked to increases in drug trafficking and the sale of illegal firearms. In addition to these factors, California’s gun laws are relatively lax compared to other states which contributes to higher homicide rates within the state. To make California safer, the state has taken various initiatives such as implementing a $500 million investment plan aimed at reducing poverty among its population. This program seeks to increase access to financial assistance and job training opportunities so that people have a better chance at finding meaningful employment that pays a living wage.
Most Violent States in America
Alabama
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325
Ranked in the US
#28
Homicide Rate
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6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
Crime Rate
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257.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
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23.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
Alabama is the twenty-eighth most dangerous state in the US with 325 homicides. Moreover, Alabama has a homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000 people. Crime has been rising steadily in Alabama since 2014, with homicides increasing by 59% while violent crimes increased by 16%. This increase in criminality paints a grim picture for Alabamans who must now face an unprecedented level of insecurity on their streets and in their homes every day.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Alaska
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90
Ranked in the US
#42
Homicide Rate
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12.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
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23.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Gun Death Rate
Arizona
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805
Ranked in the US
#15
Homicide Rate
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11.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
Crime Rate
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956.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
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16.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Arkansas
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484
Ranked in the US
#21
Homicide Rate
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16.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
Crime Rate
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6,405.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#1
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22.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
California
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3,498
Ranked in the US
#1
Homicide Rate
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8.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
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8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
California is the most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 3,498. The state's high population and urbanization contribute to its high crime rate, with a concentration of violent crimes in areas such as Los Angeles and Oakland.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Gun Death Rate
Colorado
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488
Ranked in the US
#20
Homicide Rate
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8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
Crime Rate
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5,179.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#4
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15.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Connecticut
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220
Ranked in the US
#32
Homicide Rate
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6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
Crime Rate
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2,801.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
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6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Delaware
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98
Ranked in the US
#40
Homicide Rate
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9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
Crime Rate
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5,146.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
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14.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
District of Columbia
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339
Ranked in the US
#27
Homicide Rate
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49.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#1
Crime Rate
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317.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Florida
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2,087
Ranked in the US
#3
Homicide Rate
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9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
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13.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
Florida is the third most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 2,087. The state's high crime rate is partly due to its large population and high number of tourists, which can attract criminal activity, especially in areas like Miami and Orlando.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Gun Death Rate
Georgia
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834
Ranked in the US
#14
Homicide Rate
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7.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
Crime Rate
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2,856.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
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17.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Hawaii
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65
Ranked in the US
#44
Homicide Rate
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4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Crime Rate
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2,941.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
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3.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#50
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Idaho
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68
Ranked in the US
#43
Homicide Rate
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3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
Crime Rate
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3,159.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
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17.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Illinois
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1,137
Ranked in the US
#5
Homicide Rate
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8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
Crime Rate
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97.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
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14.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
Illinois is the fifth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,137 and a reported crime rate of 97.2 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is mainly due to the concentration of violent crimes in Chicago, which has one of the highest murder rates in the country.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Indiana
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656
Ranked in the US
#17
Homicide Rate
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9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
Crime Rate
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2,598.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
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17.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Iowa
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172
Ranked in the US
#35
Homicide Rate
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5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
Crime Rate
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3,712.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
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11.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Kansas
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143
Ranked in the US
#38
Homicide Rate
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4.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
Crime Rate
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4,521.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
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16.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Kentucky
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464
Ranked in the US
#24
Homicide Rate
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10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
Crime Rate
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3,659.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
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20.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Louisiana
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1,065
Ranked in the US
#10
Homicide Rate
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22.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
Crime Rate
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1,469.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
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26.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
Louisiana is the tenth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,065 and a reported crime rate of 1,469.9 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is largely driven by its high number of property crimes, such as theft and burglary, as well as its high rate of gun violence.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Maine
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39
Ranked in the US
#48
Homicide Rate
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2.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#50
Crime Rate
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1,856.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
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10.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Maryland
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738
Ranked in the US
#16
Homicide Rate
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11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
Crime Rate
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732.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
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13.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Massachusetts
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230
Ranked in the US
#31
Homicide Rate
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3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#48
Crime Rate
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3,075.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
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3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#49
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Michigan
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1,067
Ranked in the US
#9
Homicide Rate
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10.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
Crime Rate
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3,854.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
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14.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
Michigan is the ninth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,067 and a reported crime rate of 3,854.6 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is partly due to its large population and high number of urban areas, which can attract criminal activity.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Minnesota
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323
Ranked in the US
#29
Homicide Rate
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5.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
Crime Rate
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2,771.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
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8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Mississippi
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350
Ranked in the US
#26
Homicide Rate
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11.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
Crime Rate
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2,055.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
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28.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#1
Mississippi is the twenty-sixth most dangerous state in the US with 350 homicides. Mississippi had also one of the highest homicide rates in the nation at 11.8 per 100,000 people. Moreover, several cities within Mississippi have been identified as some of the most dangerous cities in the United States; including Jackson and Gulfport which rank on this list due to their disproportionately high levels of crime.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Missouri
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1,108
Ranked in the US
#6
Homicide Rate
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18 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
Crime Rate
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3,393.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
Ranked in the US
#4
Missouri is the sixth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,108 and a reported crime rate of 3,393.7 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is partly due to its location as a crossroads for drug trafficking, as well as its high number of property crimes.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Montana
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96
Ranked in the US
#41
Homicide Rate
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8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
Crime Rate
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4,289.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
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20.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Nebraska
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127
Ranked in the US
#39
Homicide Rate
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6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
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10.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Gun Death Rate
Nevada
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308
Ranked in the US
#30
Homicide Rate
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9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
Crime Rate
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2,226.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
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17 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
New Hampshire
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20
Ranked in the US
#51
Homicide Rate
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1.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#51
Crime Rate
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3,390.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
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8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
New Jersey
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497
Ranked in the US
#19
Homicide Rate
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5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
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5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#48
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Gun Death Rate
New Mexico
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193
Ranked in the US
#33
Homicide Rate
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9.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
Crime Rate
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3,815.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
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22.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
New York
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1,087
Ranked in the US
#8
Homicide Rate
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5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
Crime Rate
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201.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
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5.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
New York is the eighth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,087 and a reported crime rate of 201.7 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is mainly due to its concentration of violent crimes in New York City, which has one of the highest rates of homicide and robbery in the country.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
North Carolina
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1,192
Ranked in the US
#4
Homicide Rate
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11.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
Crime Rate
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4,408.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
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16 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
North Carolina is the fourth most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,192 and a reported crime rate of 4,408.5 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is largely driven by its high number of property crimes, such as burglary and larceny, as well as its gang activity.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
North Dakota
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59
Ranked in the US
#46
Homicide Rate
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7.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
Crime Rate
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5,105.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
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13.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Ohio
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1,089
Ranked in the US
#7
Homicide Rate
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9.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
Crime Rate
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3,449.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
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15.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
Ohio is the seventh most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 1,089 and a reported crime rate of 3,449.6 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is largely driven by its high number of property crimes, such as theft and burglary, as well as its gang activity.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Oklahoma
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471
Ranked in the US
#23
Homicide Rate
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11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
Crime Rate
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3,462 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
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20.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Oregon
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188
Ranked in the US
#34
Homicide Rate
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4.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
Crime Rate
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4,712.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
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13 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Pennsylvania
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433
Ranked in the US
#25
Homicide Rate
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3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#49
Crime Rate
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8.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
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13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Rhode Island
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46
Ranked in the US
#47
Homicide Rate
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4.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
Crime Rate
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3,154.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
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5.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#47
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
South Carolina
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891
Ranked in the US
#12
Homicide Rate
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17.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#4
Crime Rate
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6,006.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
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22 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
South Dakota
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62
Ranked in the US
#45
Homicide Rate
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7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
Crime Rate
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4,928.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
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13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Tennessee
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970
Ranked in the US
#11
Homicide Rate
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14 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
Crime Rate
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5,926.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
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21.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Texas
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2,993
Ranked in the US
#2
Homicide Rate
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10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
Crime Rate
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3,999.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
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14.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
Texas is the second most dangerous state in the US, with a number of homicides of 2,993 and a reported crime rate of 3,999.3 per 100k. The state's high crime rate is partly due to its size and population, but also because of its proximity to the Mexican border, which has a high level of drug trafficking and associated violence.
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Utah
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147
Ranked in the US
#37
Homicide Rate
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4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
Crime Rate
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4,498.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
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13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Vermont
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24
Ranked in the US
#50
Homicide Rate
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3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#47
Crime Rate
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2,541.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
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11.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Virginia
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863
Ranked in the US
#13
Homicide Rate
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10 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
Crime Rate
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3,922 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
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13.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Washington
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472
Ranked in the US
#22
Homicide Rate
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6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
Crime Rate
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5,132.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
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10.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
West Virginia
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162
Ranked in the US
#36
Homicide Rate
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9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
Crime Rate
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2,897.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
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18.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Wisconsin
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499
Ranked in the US
#18
Homicide Rate
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8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
Crime Rate
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3,030.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
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12.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
Wyoming
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27
Ranked in the US
#49
Homicide Rate
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4.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
Crime Rate
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566.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
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25.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
Number of Homicides
Homicide Rate
Crime Rate
Gun Death Rate
FAQs
What is the most dangerous state in America ?
The most dangerous state is California with 3,498 homicides.
What are the top 10 most dangerous states ?
The top 10 most dangerous states in the US are:
1. California – 3,498 homicides
2. Texas – 2,993 homicides
3. Florida – 2,087 homicides
4. North Carolina– 1,192 homicides
5. Illinois – 1,137 homicides
6. Missouri – 1,108 homicides
7. Ohio – 1,089 homicides
8. New York – 1,087 homicides
9. Michigan – 1,067 homicides
10. Louisiana – 1,065 homicides
What is the safest U.S. state?
The safest state in the United States is New Hampshire with only 20 homicides.
As an expert in criminal justice and state tracking, it's evident that the provided information is derived from a comprehensive analysis of crime-related data across different states in the US. The data includes various metrics such as the number of homicides, homicide rates, overall crime rates, and gun death rates, all of which are essential in assessing the safety and security of each state.
California stands out as the most dangerous state in the US, leading in the number of homicides with 3,498 reported cases. The state's high population and urbanization contribute to its elevated crime rate, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and Oakland. Additionally, poverty, gang activity, and lax gun laws in California are identified as significant contributors to its high homicide rates.
Other states, such as Texas and Florida, follow closely in terms of the number of homicides, with 2,993 and 2,087 reported cases, respectively. The southern and western regions of the US generally exhibit higher rates of violent crime compared to the northeast and midwest.
The data also reveals exceptions to regional trends, such as Illinois ranking fifth on the list with 1,137 homicides and Missouri ranking sixth with 1,108 homicides. Urban areas consistently exhibit higher crime rates than rural areas, emphasizing the impact of population density on crime statistics.
Poverty, education, and drug addiction rates are highlighted as crucial factors contributing to the overall safety of a state. For instance, California's initiative involving a $500 million investment plan aims to reduce poverty, increase access to healthcare, and address the underlying socioeconomic factors contributing to crime.
Furthermore, specific state profiles provide detailed insights into the challenges faced by each, such as Alabama, where rising crime rates are attributed to a 59% increase in homicides since 2014. Alaska faces challenges related to drug trafficking and gun violence, contributing to its high homicide and gun death rates.
In summary, the data presented in the article offers a comprehensive overview of the most dangerous states in the US, incorporating multiple metrics to assess and compare their safety and security levels. The analysis goes beyond raw numbers, considering underlying factors that contribute to crime rates, thus providing a nuanced understanding of the complexities associated with criminal justice issues in different states.
