Is Indiana Dangerous?
Indiana is a relatively safe state with a crime rate of 1,851 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. The chances of falling victim to a violent crime in Indiana are 1 in 328. However, like any state, Indiana has its safe areas and its more dangerous ones.
The worst areas in Indiana for crime are its large cities, which struggle with higher rates of drug additction, robberies, carjackings, and assaults.
Most Dangerous Cities in Indiana
- South Bend
- Clarksville
- Evansville
- Indianapolis
- Gary
- Kokomo
- Lafayette
- East Chicago
- Anderson
- Shelbyville
1. South Bend
The most dangerous city in Indiana is South Bend. It is also the fourth-largest city in the state. South Bend has a population of 324,501 and atotal crime rate that is 130% above the national average. South Bend has an exorbitantly high violent crime rate, and is known as the murder capital of Indiana. Robberies, shootings, and assaults are also quite common. Incidents involving theft and burglary numbered over 3,746 recorded incidents in 2023.
2. Clarksville
Clarksville is another one of the worst cities in Indiana due to crime. This city is located along the Ohio River in the southeastern region of Indiana. Clarksville has a population of roughly 22,333, with a total crime rate that is 113% above the national average. While the city’s violent crime rate is below the national average, Clarksville’s property crime rate is the driving factor of crime in the city. The most common type of crime includes assaults, burglary, and property theft.
3. Evansville
Evansville is also one of the most dangerous cities in Indiana. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County in southern Indiana. The city has a population of 118,414 and a total crime rate that is 85% above the national average. The most common types of crime include burglary, assault, and theft. There were 19 murders and 79 robberies recorded in Evansville in 2022. Much of Evansville struggles with poverty and unemployment, with drug trafficking being a problem in the area.
4. Indianapolis
Located in Marion County, Indianapolis is the state’s largest city and capital. It’s also one of the most dangerous cities in Indiana. Indianapolis has a population of 887,642 and a crime rate that is 77% above the national average.
Violent crime is a major problem in the city with 236 murders 1,730 robberies, and 3,857 assaults recorded during 2023. Drug related offenses are also common, with Indianapolis being one of the worst cities in Indiana for drug abuse. Incidents involving property theft numbered in the tens of thousands during the same year.
5. Gary
Located just outside of Chicago, Gary is a city in Lake County that has long had a reputation for being extremely violent. In the 1990s, it was even named the murder capital of the US. Gary is so dangerous because the city suffered a major economic collapse after the local steel plants shut down, leading to rampant poverty and crime. Out of a population of 69,093, Gary has a total crime rate that is 75% above the national average. Gary has longstanding issues with crime, poverty, and urban decay. Shootings and homicides are common in Gary, with 57 murders in 2022. Other common crimes include robbery, burglaries, and vehicle theft, including car hijacking.
6. Kokomo
Kokomo is a dangerous Indiana city located in Howard County in the north-central part of the state. Kokomo has a population of 59,604 and a violent crime rate that is 61% above the national average. The most common types of crime were robbery, assault, burglary, and theft. There were four murders recorded in the city in the 2022 year.
7. Lafayette
Lafayette is also one of the most dangerous cities in Indiana. Lafayette is located in Tippecanoe County, near Indianapolis and Chicago. The city’s population is 70,783, and the local crime rate is 55% above the national average. Lafayette has longstanding issues with poverty, crime, and unemployment, which contribute to the city’s high crime rate. The most common crimes in Lafayette are robbery, assault, burglary, and theft. There were six murders recorded in the city during the year 2022.
8. East Chicago
Located 18 miles from downtown Chicago, East Chicago is a city in Lake County. Out of a population of 29,698, East Chicago has a crime rate that is 37% above the national average. Noted for its high violent crime rate, many homicides, shootings, gang conflicts, and robberies occur annually in the city. Other common crimes include assault, burglary, and property theft. Despite being a high crime area, many of Indiana’s famous musicians, athletes, and politicians have hailed from East Chicago.
9. Anderson
Anderson is also one of the worst cities in Indiana due to its high crime rate. The city is located in Madison County in the central part of the state. The city’s population is 54,788, and it has a crime rate that is 27% above the national average. Common types of crime involve assault, burglary, theft, vehicle theft, and homicide. In 2022, there were six murders and 29 robberies in Anderson. Much of the area struggles with poverty, with drug addiction being a major health concern in the city and surrounding area.
10. Shelbyville
Shelbyville is a small and dangerous city in Shelby County in central Indiana. With a population of 20,067, Shelbyville’s crime rate is 12% above the national average. Violent crime is the most common type of crime with one murder, six robberies, and 117 assaults in 2022. Other crimes included burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Drug trafficking and addiction are continuous problems in the area.