5 Most Dangerous Cities In The US In 2024

Memphis, TN Sign (Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash)

There are probably a few places that spring to mind when you think of the most dangerous cities in the country. With any city, there is bound to be some level of crime. Unfortunately, certain places have a reputation for more criminal activity than others. How are the most dangerous cities on our list ranked? Most lists crunch the numbers using data based on crime rates, conflict levels, socioeconomic factors, health risks, law enforcement effectiveness, and international safety reports. Each list tends to weigh the factors differently, so our list features the cities most often named the most dangerous among the seven websites we sourced. Do you agree with our list? Did we miss a city you think should be in the top five? Let us know in the comments below.

The List: Most Dangerous Cities in America, According to Experts

1. Bessemer, Alabama

Bessemer, Alabama pinned on a map (Photo by Dmitrijs Kaminskis on Shutterstock)

Here are some disturbing numbers. According to Traveling Lifestyle, “The odds of becoming a crime victim in Bessemer are 1 in 9.” This places the city of 27,000 at the top of our list of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.

Bessemer is located just 16 miles south of Birmingham, another city that made our list. The New York Post says Bessemer has seen a spike in physical violence, property crime, and motor vehicle theft.

Once called “The Marvel City,” due to its rapid growth in its early years, Kim Komando says Bessemer is now known as the community with the highest crime rate in the nation, clocking 33.18 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

2. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a much different place than it was when Elvis Presley walked the halls of Graceland. Now, it has a crime rate that is 237 percent higher than the national average. According to Property Club, “The most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis are Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and Berclair-Highland Heights.“

If you visit Memphis, Traveling Lifestyle reminds you to “keep your wits about you,” especially at night, so you don’t become a crime victim.

The Memphis police department has spent decades trying to reduce the city’s crime rate. According to U.S. News and World Report, the city uses reporting data to “identify and target crime hot spots around the city.” The data is posted weekly to the police department’s website.

3. St. Louis, Missouri

Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis MO (Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash)

While the St. Louis Arch may be welcoming, you may not get such a homey feeling if you come into harm’s way while visiting St. Louis. According to Property Club, you have a one in 50 chance of being targeted by a criminal in the Gateway to the West. The neighborhoods with the highest crime? Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park West, and College Hill.

It’s been difficult for St. Louis to find its way off this list, due to high poverty rates and unemployment. Norada Real Estate Investments writes, “The concentration of poverty in certain neighborhoods amplifies the strain on social systems and increases the risk of criminal involvement.” The prevalence of firearms also plays a role in the number of violent crimes.

According to The Hill, St. Louis has the third highest crime cost per capita, at $11,055.

4. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is no stranger to danger, coming in at number four on our list. Norada Real Estate Investments says thanks to urban decay many abandoned buildings attract “illicit drug trade, squatters, and gang-related activities.” Efforts remain underway to try to revitalize some of those areas, to reduce crime.

The Motor City may be known for auto manufacturing, but it’s also known for its high crime. Traveling Lifestyle says its crime rate is “several times the national average” making it one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

According to The Hill, Detroit fares a little better than St. Louis when it comes to the cost of crime per capita, coming in at $9291, but it still ranks highly in terms of being dangerous by many experts.

5. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham skyline at dusk (Photo by Zach Farmer on Unsplash)

Another Alabama city rounds out our top five. Traveling Lifestyle reports local authorities in Birmingham have tried to reduce crime, but it remains “higher than 98% of other communities” in the state.

Birmingham is known for being the founding city of Veteran’s Day. Like the other spots on this list, there are a lot of great qualities about the community, but crime still lingers beneath the surface. According to Norada Real Estate Investments, Birmingham’s violent crime index “encompasses homicides, robberies, and assaults” and is off the charts.

When it comes to the cost of crime per capita, The Hill says Birmingham comes in at the top with a whopping cost of $11,392.

Sources used to create our list:

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