10 US Cities With Highest Murder Rates
- St. Louis
- Baltimore
- New Orleans
- Detroit
- Cleveland
- Las Vegas
- Kansas City
- Memphis
- Newark
- Chicago
1. St. Louis
St. Louis has the highest murder rate in the US at 69.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a population of 268,578 residents, St. Louis is the second largest city in Missouri and also a major cultural and economic hub for the state. However, the city is plagued by gang activity and a gun violence epidemic. So, it has a very high rate of crime compared to other cities of the same size. In 2022, there were 200 murders and 722 shootings in St. Louis. The violent crime rate is also 1,472 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 298% higher than the rest of the US.
2. Baltimore
Baltimore has the second-highest murder rate of any major US City. Baltimore is home to 583,132 people and has a murder rate of 51.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. The city has developed a reputation for being dangerous, which many attributed to a high rate of poverty, lack of economic opportunity, and the impacts of the opioid crisis. Most murders in Baltimore are concentrated within a small number of impoverished communities, and about 80% of gun homicides in the city occur within 25% of neighborhoods. The violent crime rate in Baltimore is 1,553 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 320% higher than the rest of the US.
3. New Orleans
New Orleans has the third highest murder rate in the US at 40.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain in Southern Louisiana, New Orleans is a melting pot known for its lively jazz clubs and Creole cuisine. It has a population of 383,282. However, it also suffers from a high rate of poverty, political corruption, and vulnerability to natural disasters. In 2022, there were 266 murders in New Orleans. The violent crime rate is also 1,444 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 291% higher than the national average.
4. Detroit
Detroit also has one of the highest murder rates of any city in the US. Nicknamed the Motor City, Detroit was once the epicenter of the auto industry in America and the birthplace of Motown Records. It's the largest city in Michigan, with a population of 620,376 residents. However, in recent decades, many of the factories that supported the local economy have moved overseas, leading to a sharp economic decline that forced the city to declare bankruptcy in 2013. Today, Detroit is plagued by gun violence, gang activity, and homelessness, which all contribute to its high murder rate. Close to one in five houses in Detroit is abandoned. The murder rate is 39.7 crimes per 100,000 people, and the violent crime rate is 2,028 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 448% higher than the national average.
5. Cleveland
Cleveland also has a very high murder rate compared to the rest of the US. Positioned on the banks of Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio, Cleveland is a major port city and the second largest in Ohio, with a population of 361,706 residents. In recent years, it's gained a reputation for being quite dangerous, which many attribute to economic decline, an unstable population, and a dwindling police force. The murder rate in Cleveland is 33.7 crimes per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate is 1,614 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 336% higher than the rest of the country.
6. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is another Major US city with a high murder rate. Known for its casinos, resorts, and live entertainment, Las Vegas is the gambling and nightlife capital of the US. It's the largest city in Nevada, with a population of 643,929 residents. Nicknamed Sin City, Las Vegas has always had a darker side and suffers from a high rate of poverty, gang activity, and homelessness. It's also a major tourist destination, which contributes to a high rate of theft and robberies as well. The murder rate in Las Vegas is 31.4 crimes per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate is also 516 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 40% higher than the rest of the county.
7. Kansas City
Kansas City is also a major city with a high murder rate and the second on this list from the state of Missouri. With a population of 507,932 residents, Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri. It's known for its delicious barbecue, jazz music, and cultural institutions. However, Kansas City suffers from a high rate of unemployment and limited access to education and healthcare, which all contribute to the high crime rate. In 2022, there were 171 murders in Kansas City, and the murder rate is 31.2 homicides per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate is 1,154 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 301% higher than the national average.
8. Memphis
Memphis also has a very high crime rate compared to the rest of the country. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwestern Tennessee, Memphis is famous for its contributions to blues, rock n roll, and soul music, as well as attractions like Beale Street and Graceland. With 621,056 residents, it's the second largest city in Tennessee after Nashville. Memphis also has a reputation for being very dangerous and suffers from high poverty rates, gang violence, and limited economic opportunity. There are over 100 documented gangs in Memphis, containing over 13,000 members. The murder rate in Memphis is 27.1 homicides per 100,000 people, and the violent crime rate is 1,942 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 555% higher than the rest of the US.
9. Newark
Newark also has one of the highest murder rates in the country. It's the most populous city in New Jersey, with 305,344 residents. It's a major hub for culture and economic activity in the state and home to the Newark Liberty International Airport. Although, it also suffers from poverty, drugs, and gang violence, which make certain neighborhoods quite dangerous. The murder rate is 25.6 homicides per 100,000 residents. However, most of the crime is contained in certain areas, and many parts of Newark are perfectly safe. The violent crime rate is 520 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 41% higher than the national average.
10. Chicago
Chicago is another major US city with a high murder rate. Home to 2.6 million residents, Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third largest in the US after New York and Los Angeles, making it the most populous city on this list. Chicago often gets a bad rap for being especially dangerous, although it's a very large city, and most of the crime tends to be contained to certain areas, specifically the South and West Sides. These areas suffer from a high rate of poverty, gang violence, and drug activity. There were over 725 homicides in Chicago in 2022, which is 200 more than the decade prior. However, due to its large population, the overall murder rate is 24 homicides per 100,000 people, which is lower than some other cities on this list despite a higher number of murders overall. The violent crime rate in Chicago is 540 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 46% higher than the rest of the country.
Methodology
The murder rates come from the 2023 FBI crime report, released in September 2023, which is the last available set of data. Crime data is collected by local law enforcement agencies as a part of their routine procedures and submitted to the FBI annually to be organized and released to the public. Although this is the most reliable way to compare criminal activity in different areas, it reflects only the crime that is reported, which doesn't take into account the crime that goes unreported.