February 13th 2024.
According to a recent study conducted by StudyFinds, the top five most dangerous cities in the United States are not the ones you might expect. While major urban hubs like New York City and Los Angeles often dominate headlines for their crime rates, it's actually smaller cities that top this list. These lesser-known cities face significant challenges that contribute to their high crime rates, as explained by StudyFinds.
However, it's worth noting that different lists may use different criteria to determine the most dangerous cities. In this particular study, StudyFinds considered factors such as crime rates, socioeconomic factors, levels of conflict, law enforcement effectiveness, health risks, and global safety reports. After analyzing data from seven different websites, they compiled a list of the most dangerous cities in the US.
At the top of the list is a city that many people, even Americans, may not have heard of: Bessemer, Alabama. Located just 15 miles south of Birmingham, this city of 27,000 has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest crime rate in the country, with 33.18 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. According to Traveling Lifestyle, the odds of becoming a crime victim in Bessemer are 1 in 9.
In second place is Memphis, Tennessee, home to the famous Graceland mansion of Elvis Presley. Despite its tourist appeal, Memphis has a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. The most dangerous neighborhoods within the city, according to Property Club, are downtown, Berclair-Highland Heights, and Parkway Village-Oakhaven. Law enforcement has been working to decrease the crime rate in Memphis for many years.
St. Louis, Missouri takes the third spot on the list. Known for the iconic Gateway Arch, which symbolizes the gateway to the West, this city has a one in 50 chance of being a target of crime. With high poverty and unemployment rates, St. Louis has a crime cost per capita of $11,055, making it an expensive place to live in terms of safety, according to The Hill. As Norada Real Estate Investments explains, the concentration of poverty in certain neighborhoods can amplify the risk of criminal involvement.
At number four is Detroit, Michigan, also known as Motor City for its history in automobile manufacturing. This city of around 600,000 people has a crime cost per capita of $9,291, according to The Hill. The city is also plagued by many abandoned buildings, which serve as hotspots for illicit activities such as drug trade and gang-related activities, according to Norada Real Estate Investments.
Rounding out the top five most dangerous cities according to StudyFinds is Birmingham, Alabama. With a population of nearly 200,000, this city is known for founding Veterans Day and its history as a steel and iron producer. However, it also has a high crime index that includes homicides, robberies, and assaults, as reported by Norada Real Estate Investments. Despite efforts to reduce its crime rate, Birmingham still remains 98% higher than other places in the state, according to Traveling Lifestyle.
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