Crime remains a major concern for many communities across the United States. From violent offenses like homicide and assault to property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft, crime rates can vary widely from city to city. Understanding which cities have the Highest Crime Rate in America helps policymakers, law enforcement, and residents make informed decisions about safety, infrastructure, and community programs.
This article explores the cities with the highest crime rate in America, based on recent FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and local law enforcement data from late 2024 to early 2025.
What Is a Highest Crime Rate in America?
A crime rate is typically measured as the number of crimes per 100,000 residents. It’s divided into:
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Violent crime: Includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
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Property crime: Includes burglary, theft, arson, and motor vehicle theft.
High crime rates do not necessarily mean a city is unsafe for everyone—it often reflects deeper social, economic, and systemic issues such as poverty, lack of education, or underfunded public services.
Top 10 Cities with the Highest Crime Rate in America (2025)
1. St. Louis, Missouri
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,950 per 100,000 people
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Why It Ranks High: Long-standing issues with poverty, racial segregation, and underfunded police departments.
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Common Crimes: Gun violence, robberies, assaults.
2. Detroit, Michigan
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,850 per 100,000
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Trends: Slight decline over the years, but still high.
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Notable Concerns: Carjackings, gang activity, property crimes in abandoned areas.
3. Baltimore, Maryland
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,750 per 100,000
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Key Issues: Drug trade, lack of trust in law enforcement, housing inequality.
4. Memphis, Tennessee
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,700 per 100,000
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Noteworthy: High murder rate, especially in low-income areas.
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Efforts: New community-policing models introduced in 2024.
5. Cleveland, Ohio
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,600 per 100,000
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Hotspots: East Cleveland sees disproportionately high gun violence and drug-related incidents.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,550 per 100,000
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Rising Trend: Post-pandemic economic instability has fueled a spike in crimes.
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Common Crimes: Armed robbery, homicides, and home invasions.
7. Birmingham, Alabama
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,500 per 100,000
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Challenges: Systemic poverty and gang-related violence.
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Progress: Crime prevention programs slowly gaining traction.
8. Oakland, California
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,450 per 100,000
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Trends: Property crimes like car theft are high; gun violence in certain neighborhoods.
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Initiatives: Investments in social services and violence interrupters.
9. Little Rock, Arkansas
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,400 per 100,000
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Key Concerns: High rates of assault and domestic violence.
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Efforts: Community outreach and neighborhood patrols.
10. Chicago, Illinois
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Violent Crime Rate: ~1,350 per 100,000
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Reality vs. Perception: While crime rates are high in some areas, they are concentrated and not representative of the entire city.
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Noteworthy: Gun crime and youth violence in certain districts.
Factors Contributing to High Crime Rates
Crime doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Cities with higher crime rates often share underlying issues such as:
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Poverty and Unemployment
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Limited economic opportunity is strongly correlated with violent crime.
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Underfunded Education
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Low graduation rates and poor school systems contribute to crime cycles.
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Systemic Racism and Inequality
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Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of both crime and over-policing.
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Drug and Gang Activity
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Drug trafficking and gang influence are present in almost all top-crime cities.
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Lack of Mental Health Services
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Many offenders suffer from untreated mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
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How Highest Crime Rate in America Are Calculated
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is the main source of crime data. Cities report numbers to the FBI, which standardizes them per 100,000 people to allow fair comparison across different population sizes.
Crime Categories in FBI Reports:
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Part I Crimes: Serious offenses like murder, robbery, rape, and arson.
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Part II Crimes: Less severe offenses, including drug abuse violations and disorderly conduct.
Which Cities Are Improving?
Not all is bleak. Several cities once listed among the most dangerous have made notable progress:
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Camden, New Jersey: Once known for extreme violence, has seen a dramatic drop due to community policing.
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Newark, New Jersey: Investing in youth programs and mental health outreach.
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Los Angeles, California: Long-term investments in restorative justice models and prevention programs.
FAQs: Highest Crime Rate in America.
Q1: Which U.S. city has the highest crime rate in 2025?
A: St. Louis, Missouri continues to have the highest violent crime rate among major cities, according to the most recent FBI data.
Q2: Is Chicago the most dangerous city in America?
A: No. While Chicago often has high absolute numbers of shootings and homicides, its per-capita crime rate is lower than cities like St. Louis, Memphis, and Detroit.
Q3: Are crime rates increasing in 2025?
A: Some cities are seeing increases in specific crimes like carjackings or assaults, but national trends are mixed. Property crime has declined in many areas.
Q4: What can reduce crime in high-crime cities?
A: Crime can be reduced through a combination of education reform, economic development, mental health support, community policing, and justice reform.
Q5: Are small towns safer than big cities?
A: Generally, yes—but not always. Some small towns have high crime rates due to concentrated poverty, drug problems, or lack of resources.
Conclusion: Addressing America’s Crime Epidemic
The cities with the highest crime rates in America are often those grappling with deep-rooted social and economic challenges. High crime is not simply a policing problem—it’s a community health issue. From housing instability to racial injustice, solving crime means addressing the root causes.
While the numbers can be alarming, many cities are actively investing in solutions that work—community partnerships, youth outreach, police accountability, and restorative justice. With continued focus and bipartisan support, even the most affected cities have a chance to reverse these troubling trends.
