Multiple Sources · 50 states
Most Dangerous States in America
Violent crime remains a serious concern in certain US states, with rates varying dramatically across the country. States with the highest violent crime rates tend to have higher poverty, greater income inequality, larger urban populations, and histories of underinvestment in education and social services. Alaska consistently ranks among the most dangerous, partly due to geographic isolation, substance abuse issues, and limited law enforcement coverage. Southern states like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas also rank high, reflecting deep structural poverty. Crime data should be understood in context — most violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods, while suburban and rural areas may be very safe.
Key Findings
- 1Arkansas leads with a violent crime rate per 100,000 of 729.6, followed by Indiana (674.4) and New Mexico (648.5).
- 2The gap between #1 Arkansas and #50 Vermont (187.1) is 54250.0 percentage points.
- 3The national median across all states is 419.1 (Michigan at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Arkansas, Indiana, New Mexico, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Colorado.
Full Ranking: Most Dangerous States in America
Source: Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | Safety Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 415.2 | 1,620.5 | C |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 322.3 | 1,533.5 | B |
| 3 | West Virginia | 483.9 | 1,573 | C |
| 4 | Washington | 401.8 | 2,055 | C |
| 5 | Virginia | 523.7 | 1,967.4 | C |
| 6 | Vermont | 187.1 | 1,199.2 | B |
| 7 | Utah | 403.5 | 1,872.7 | C |
| 8 | Texas | 436.4 | 2,021.6 | C |
| 9 | Tennessee | 359.7 | 1,955.6 | C |
| 10 | South Dakota | 276.5 | 1,795.8 | B |
| 11 | South Carolina | 262.7 | 1,719 | B |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 562.4 | 1,832.2 | C |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 544.3 | 1,758.4 | C |
| 14 | Oregon | 335.4 | 1,807.1 | C |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 378.3 | 2,125.4 | C |
| 16 | Ohio | 483.3 | 2,042.3 | C |
| 17 | North Dakota | 211.1 | 1,760.5 | B |
| 18 | North Carolina | 533.3 | 1,910.1 | C |
| 19 | New York | 373.3 | 1,958.2 | C |
| 20 | New Mexico | 648.5 | 2,107.1 | C |
| 21 | New Jersey | 535.6 | 1,825.5 | C |
| 22 | New Hampshire | 530.5 | 2,071.4 | C |
| 23 | Nevada | 411.6 | 2,049.7 | C |
| 24 | Nebraska | 240.4 | 1,849.7 | B |
| 25 | Montana | 442.4 | 1,427.4 | C |
| 26 | Missouri | 527.6 | 2,148.6 | C |
| 27 | Mississippi | 193.5 | 1,636.2 | B |
| 28 | Minnesota | 242.6 | 1,519.9 | B |
| 29 | Michigan | 419.1 | 1,792.2 | C |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 350.5 | 1,981 | C |
| 31 | Maryland | 592 | 1,917.5 | C |
| 32 | Maine | 609.2 | 1,370.6 | C |
| 33 | Louisiana | 542.8 | 2,067.2 | C |
| 34 | Kentucky | 334.8 | 1,743.5 | C |
| 35 | Kansas | 497.1 | 2,132.5 | C |
| 36 | Iowa | 389.1 | 1,440.7 | C |
| 37 | Indiana | 674.4 | 1,606.8 | C |
| 38 | Illinois | 381.3 | 1,929.7 | C |
| 39 | Idaho | 392.8 | 1,921 | C |
| 40 | Hawaii | 534.8 | 1,346.7 | C |
| 41 | Georgia | 547.1 | 1,601.1 | C |
| 42 | Florida | 499.7 | 1,998.3 | C |
| 43 | District of Columbia | 460.2 | 2,317.9 | C |
| 44 | Connecticut | 363.6 | 1,811.7 | C |
| 45 | Colorado | 538.8 | 2,074.6 | C |
| 46 | California | 469.5 | 2,011.4 | C |
| 47 | Arkansas | 729.6 | 1,616.1 | C |
| 48 | Arizona | 535.4 | 1,972.6 | C |
| 49 | Alaska | 208.2 | 1,404.5 | B |
| 50 | Alabama | 359.7 | 1,951.5 | C |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Arkansas has the highest violent crime rate per 100,000 at 729.6, according to Census ACS 2023 data. Indiana and New Mexico round out the top three.
Vermont has the lowest violent crime rate per 100,000 at 187.1. Mississippi is second-lowest at 193.5.
The median across all 50 states is 419.1. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently — the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS data (currently 2023 5-Year estimates). The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually, typically in September. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.