9 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in St. Louis
- Gravois Park
- JeffVanderLou
- Central West End
- Dutchtown
- Tower Grove South
- Bevo Mill
- Carondelet
- Downtown St. Louis
- Downtown West
1. Gravois Park
The most dangerous neighborhood in St. Louis is Gravois Park. This area has a population of 5,567 and is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in the city. Gravois Park has a crime rate of 9,919 per 100,000 which is 323% higher than the national average. Residents have an astounding 1 in 11 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2022 there were 271 crimes reported in Gravois Park, with 38 robberies, 47 assaults, 45 burglaries, and 27 stolen vehicles.
2. JeffVanderLou
JeffVanderLou (JVL) is another dangerous St. Louis neighborhood. It is located in central St. Louis and has a population of 4,209. The crime rate in JVL is 10,339 per 100,000, which is 341% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were a total of 241 crimes, with three murders, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, and 28 burglaries. JVL has issues stemming from poverty and unemployment, with a median income of $20,499, which is 63% higher than the national average.
3. Central West End
The Central West End is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis. It has a population of 15,762 and has some of the worst violent crimes in the city. As of 2022, this part of the city alone was ranked as being 208% more dangerous than the national average, with a crime rate of 7,217. Residents have a 1 in 14 chance of becoming a victim, with gun violence, homicides, burglaries, and car thefts being rampant.
4. Dutchtown
Another one of the worst areas in St. Louis for crime is Dutchtown. This neighborhood has a population of 17,000 and a crime rate of 6,731 per 100,000 people. Dutchtown was originally a German settlement but is now home to a diverse immigrant population. Dutchtown’s crime rate is 187% higher than the US average, and the neighborhood has had decades-long problems stemming from poverty and urban decay. In 2022, there were two homicides, 47 robberies, 132 assaults, 88 burglaries, and 49 reports of stolen vehicles.
5. Tower Grove South
Tower Grove is also one of the most violent areas in St. Louis. This neighborhood is located in South St. Louis and has a population of 13,719. With a crime rate of 5,110 per 100,000, Tower Grove is 66% higher than the Missouri average. In 2022 Tower Grove reported 363 crimes, with 49 burglaries, 216 larcenies, 25 assaults, and 35 stolen vehicles. The median income in Tower Grove is $45,919, which is 17% lower than the national average.
6. Bevo Mill
Bevo Mill is also one of the worst St. Louis neighborhoods due to its high crime rates. Named after its historic mill in the neighborhood’s center, Bevo Mill has a population of 11,941. The crime rate in Bevo Mill is 4,731 per 100,000, which is 102% higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. Bevo Mill is a diverse neighborhood and is home to many immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. Crime in Bevo Mill has been slowly improving, but the area remains generally unsafe.
7. Carondelet
Carondelet has a population of 8,588 and a crime rate that is 175% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were 315 crimes, with 15 robberies, 47 assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 larcenies, and 40 vehicle thefts. Most of the crime in Carondelet is property crime, with no murders being recorded in 2022. Carondelet has issues stemming from poverty, with a median income of $33,642.
8. Downtown St. Louis
Downtown is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis. This area has consistently been amongst the most violent and worst parts of St. Louis. In 2022, there were over 672 reported crimes, including two homicides, 27 robberies, 26 burglaries, and hundreds of counts of larceny. Police can’t offer adequate protection in this part of the city, and going out after dark isn’t advised.
9. Downtown West
Downtown West has a population of 4,690 and a crime rate that is 38% higher than the US average. Downtown West has 3,241 crimes per 100,000 people, with residents having a 1 in 31 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2022, there were 16 burglaries, 311 counts of larceny, 42 robberies, and 52 assaults.