In the United States, certain cities stand out for their alarming rates of violent crime, particularly murder. Let’s take a sobering look at the cities with the highest murder rates in each state. From bustling metropolises to quiet towns, no area is immune to the scourge of homicide.
America’s Deadliest Cities: Where Murder Reigns
Philadelphia, PA: The City with the Highest Murders
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania stands tall as the city with the most murders in the state. Its population of 1,586,916 witnessed a staggering 311 murders in 2019, leading to a murder rate of 19.6 per capita. Despite being known as the City of Brotherly Love; Philadelphia is grappling with a concerning rise in violent crimes.
Cleveland, OH: A Dangerous Urban Landscape
In Ohio, Cleveland takes the unfortunate title of the most dangerous city. With a population of 384,666, it recorded 75 murders in 2019, translating to a murder rate of 19.4 per capita. Its streets bear witness to a troubling pattern of violence that needs urgent attention.
Atlanta, GA: Georgia’s Murder Capital
Georgia’s most populous city, Atlanta, reported 89 murders in 2019 among its 496,106 residents, resulting in a murder rate of 17.9 per capita. Despite its vibrant culture and economic prowess, Atlanta grapples with a darker side marked by escalating violence.
Milwaukee, WI: A City in Crisis
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, witnessed 97 murders between 2018 and 2019, with a population of 595,619. This grim statistic places its murder rate at 16.2 per capita. The city struggles to combat the root causes of violence amidst socioeconomic challenges.
St Louis, MO: A Troubled Urban Landscape
St. Louis, Missouri, holds the grim distinction of being the deadliest city in the state. With 177 murders reported in 2019 and a population of 306,875, its murder rate skyrockets to 57.7 per capita. The city grapples with systemic issues contributing to its high crime rates.
Peoria, IL: A Surprising Murder Capital
While Chicago often dominates headlines for its violence, Peoria, Illinois, emerges as the state’s murder capital. Despite its smaller size, Peoria recorded 22 murders in 2019 among its 112,595 residents, leading to a murder rate of 19.5 per capita.
Memphis, TN: A City Plagued by Violence
Tennessee’s largest city, Memphis, faces a grave challenge with 166 murders reported in 2019. With a population of 396,374, its murder rate stands at a staggering 25.4 per capita. The city grapples with deep-rooted issues contributing to its high crime rates.
Elizabeth, NJ: A Hidden Danger
Elizabeth, New Jersey, may not garner as much attention as Newark, but its murder rate of 41.8 per capita is alarming. With 54 murders reported in 2019 among its 102,915 residents, the city faces significant challenges in curbing violence.
New Orleans, LA: Louisiana’s Troubled Gem
New Orleans, Louisiana, boasts a vibrant culture but struggles with a high murder rate. With 148 murders reported in 2019 among its 396,374 residents, the city’s murder rate climbed to 37.3 per capita. It grapples with crime amidst its unique cultural landscape.
Baltimore, MD: A City in Crisis
Baltimore, Maryland, continues to grapple with violence, recording 291 murders in 2019 among its 605,436 residents. This translates to a staggering murder rate of 48.06 per 100,000 people. The city faces multifaceted challenges in addressing its crime epidemic.
Norfolk, VA: A Hidden Danger
Norfolk, Virginia, may not be as well-known as other cities, but its murder rate of 13.5 per capita is concerning. With 24 murders reported between 2018 and 2019 among its 244,347 residents, the city faces challenges in ensuring public safety.
Detroit, MI: A City with a Troubled Past
Detroit, Michigan, has long struggled with violence, recording 243 murders in 2019 among its 671,275 residents. This places its murder rate at 36.1 per capita, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the city and its residents.
Little Rock, AR: A Small City with Big Problems
Little Rock, Arkansas, faces significant challenges, recording 39 murders in 2019 among its 199,288 residents. With a murder rate of 19.56 per capita, the city grapples with addressing the root causes of violence in its communities.
Fort Wayne, IN: A City in Peril
Fort Wayne, Indiana, recorded 35 murders in 2019 among its 267,634 residents, resulting in a murder rate of 13.0 per capita. The city faces ongoing struggles in combating crime and ensuring the safety of its residents.
Jackson, MS: Mississippi’s Troubled Capital
Jackson, Mississippi, reported 94 murders between 2018 and 2019 among its 166,024 residents, leading to a staggering murder rate of 56.61 per capita. The city grapples with deep-seated issues contributing to its high crime rates.
Tuscaloosa, AL: A City in Distress
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, faces challenges with violence, recording seven murders between 2018 and 2019 among its 101,764 residents. This places its murder rate at 6.8 per capita, highlighting the need for community-based solutions to address crime.
Anchorage, AK: Alaska’s Troubled Urban Center
Anchorage, Alaska, grapples with violence, recording 26 murders between 2018 and 2019 among its 291,992 residents. With a murder rate of 8.9 per capita, the city faces significant challenges in ensuring public safety.
Tucson, AZ: Arizona’s Hidden Danger
Tucson, Arizona, recorded 53 murders in 2019 among its 537,392 residents, resulting in a murder rate of 9.9 per capita. The city faces ongoing challenges in addressing crime and ensuring the safety of its communities.
Bakersfield, CA: A City in Crisis
Bakersfield, California, faces significant challenges with violence, recording 36 murders in 2019 among its 385,609 residents. With a murder rate of 9.33 per capita, the city grapples with addressing crime and ensuring public safety.
Denver, CO: A Troubled Urban Landscape
Denver, Colorado, recorded 63 murders in 2019 among its 720,745 residents, resulting in a murder rate of 8.7 per capita. The city faces ongoing challenges in combating crime and ensuring the safety of its communities.
Hartford, CT: Connecticut’s Hidden Danger
Hartford, Connecticut, recorded 24 murders in 2019 among its 123,117 residents, leading to a murder rate of 19.5 per capita. The city faces significant challenges in addressing crime and ensuring public safety.
Wilmington, DE: Delaware’s Urban Challenge
Wilmington, Delaware, faces significant challenges with violence, recording 23 murders in 2019 among its 71,157 residents. With a murder rate of 32.3 per capita, the city grapples with addressing crime and ensuring public safety.
To sum up, looking at the data on most murders by city across the US reveals the terrible truth about the violence that occurs in the cities. These figures highlight how critical it is to have all-encompassing policies to combat crime and protect locals. We can contribute to the creation of safer cities where each person can live without fear by highlighting social justice, community involvement, and efficient law enforcement techniques.
