Crime Rate by State in the US in 2023
Each state within the US carries its own unique narrative, etched by contrasting statistics and realities. One particularly sobering set of numbers paints a picture in shades of law and order: crime rates. With every fluctuation, a different story unfolds. It’s an ever-evolving conversation, full of twists and revelations.
Familiarizing oneself with these crime rates isn’t just a study in numbers—it’s a roadmap to understanding American society, and taking a step towards safety and justice.
Let’s navigate this complex tableau together, decipher the tales behind these figures, and find our place in shaping a safer, better America. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it could be our mightiest weapon against crime.
Crime Rates in the US
In the American landscape, the shadow of crime is ever-present, albeit receding over the past quarter-century. Strategically, the US government dissects crime into two broad categories.
First category is the violent crimes, which encompass severe physical confrontations like aggravated assault, heinous acts such as robbery, the grim reality of homicide – be it deliberate or accidental, and sexual crimes such as rape. In 2020, aggressive assault topped the charts, followed by robbery, as the most frequent violent crimes. While homicides continue to make headlines, they accounted for merely five in every 100,000 incidents.
Second, property crimes form the other half of the equation. This bucket includes acts of arson, break-ins, theft, and offenses involving motor vehicles. Thus, understanding the nature of crime in the US involves unweaving this complex interplay of violent and property-related offenses.
20 States with the Highest Crime Rates
The table below showcases the states with the highest crime rates.
Rank | State | Number of Reported Crimes | Population (2020) | Crime Rate | Number of Violent Crimes | Violent Crime Rate | Number of Non-Violent Crimes | Non-Violent Crime Rate |
20 | California | 178,304 | 39,501,653 | 4,720 | 174,026 | 442.05 | 1,684,108 | 4,277.85 |
19 | Alabama | 26,596 | 5,031,362 | 4,727 | 22,322 | 453.56 | 210,322 | 4,273.51 |
18 | Kansas | 16,783 | 2,937,919 | 4,823 | 12,385 | 425.05 | 128,154 | 4,398.17 |
17 | North Carolina | 48,904 | 10,449,445 | 4,872 | 44,451 | 419.32 | 472,052 | 4,452.98 |
16 | Texas | 135,574 | 29,232,474 | 4,937 | 131,084 | 446.46 | 1,318,320 | 4,490.07 |
15 | Arizona | 40,435 | 7,179,943 | 4,940 | 35,980 | 484.81 | 330,646 | 4,455.30 |
14 | Hawaii | 8,399 | 1,451,043 | 5,077 | 3,576 | 254.16 | 67,856 | 4,822.72 |
13 | Utah | 13,400 | 3,283,785 | 5,190 | 8,471 | 260.66 | 160,182 | 4,928.86 |
12 | Alaska | 10,647 | 732,923 | 5,359 | 6,126 | 837.85 | 33,056 | 4,521.05 |
11 | Missouri | 38,447 | 6,153,998 | 5,605 | 33,385 | 542.71 | 311,396 | 5,062.07 |
10 | Oregon | 17,698 | 4,244,795 | 5,610 | 12,380 | 291.88 | 225,564 | 5,318.02 |
9 | Tennessee | 51,314 | 6,925,619 | 5,658 | 46,328 | 672.70 | 343,350 | 4,985.60 |
8 | Washington | 28,061 | 7,724,031 | 5,759 | 22,596 | 293.70 | 420,446 | 5,464.87 |
7 | Oklahoma | 23,666 | 3,964,912 | 5,870 | 18,255 | 458.58 | 215,410 | 5,411.25 |
6 | Arkansas | 25,590 | 3,014,195 | 5,899 | 20,363 | 671.93 | 158,400 | 5,226.82 |
5 | South Carolina | 33,133 | 5,131,848 | 5,973 | 27,691 | 530.68 | 283,974 | 5,442.16 |
4 | Colorado | 30,238 | 5,784,865 | 6,091 | 24,570 | 423.06 | 329,164 | 5,667.70 |
3 | Louisiana | 35,473 | 4,651,664 | 6,408 | 29,704 | 639.44 | 267,978 | 5,768.78 |
2 | New Mexico | 22,077 | 2,118,390 | 6,462 | 16,393 | 778.28 | 119,718 | 5,683.75 |
1 | District of Columbia | 14,113 | 670,868 | 7,986 | 7,127 | 999.84 | 49,798 | 6,986.10 |
In the District of Columbia, crime rates top the chart across the US, with almost 1,000 incidents for every 100,000 inhabitants. Recent police data indicate a concerning rise in various crimes including homicides, robberies, burglaries, and vehicle thefts.
Alaska follows closely with the second-greatest crime rate nationwide, clocking 837.85 incidents per 100,000 residents. Despite an unnervingly high violent crime rate, the most in the US, Alaskans seem unperturbed, creating a disparity between reality and their perception of crime severity.
Third on the list is New Mexico, despite seeing a decline in both property and violent crimes. A crime rate of 778.28 per 100,000 residents still places it high on the national crime ladder.
Tennessee is grappling with the fourth-highest crime rate in the US at 672.70 incidents per 100,000 citizens. The upswing in property crimes, notably burglaries in Memphis and Shelby County, along with a surge in motor vehicle thefts, propels its crime statistics upward.
Arkansas, with its crime rate of 671.93 per 100,000 residents, secures the fifth spot. This southern state grapples with high firearm death rates and high violence levels in specific cities, with Pine Bluff and Little Rock reporting violent crime rates well beyond the national mean.
Tips to Reduce High Crime Rates
🔑 Enhancing Community Policing: Strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve can lead to increased trust and better crime-solving partnerships.
🧠 Prioritizing Mental Health Services: Many instances of crime stem from untreated mental health issues. By bolstering mental health resources, we can proactively reduce crime at its source.
💡 Fostering Education and Job Training: By investing in quality education and vocational training, we can provide viable alternatives to criminal activities, particularly in impoverished areas.
⚖️ Implementing Restorative Justice Programs: These programs focus on rehabilitating offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community, leading to reduced recidivism rates.
👥 Supporting Neighborhood Watch Groups: These groups can act as the eyes and ears of local law enforcement, leading to faster crime detection and deterrence.
💼 Promoting Employment Opportunities: Lowering unemployment rates can lead to a reduction in crime, as economic stability often lessens the incentive for illegal activities.
🎯 Targeting High-Crime Areas: By focusing resources and initiatives in areas with high crime rates, law enforcement can more effectively disrupt patterns of criminal behavior.
🚸 Creating Safe Spaces for Youth: Community centers, after-school programs, and sports leagues can provide positive outlets for young people, steering them away from potential criminal involvement.
🏛️ Legislating Sensible Drug Policies: Reforming drug laws and prioritizing treatment over punishment can help decrease the number of non-violent offenders in the criminal justice system.
States with the Lowest Crime Rate
Find below the list of the ten states with the lowest crime rates.
Rank | State | Population (2020) | Number of Violent Crimes | Violent Crime Rate | Reported Crimes | Crime Rate | Number of Non-Violent Crimes | Non-Violent Crime Rate |
10 | New York | 20,108,296 | 70,339 | 363.76 | 73,160 | 3,185 | 545,576 | 2,821.44 |
9 | West Virginia | 1,791,420 | 6,352 | 355.90 | 9,151 | 3,155 | 49,952 | 2,798.76 |
8 | Virginia | 8,636,471 | 17,925 | 208.66 | 20,838 | 3,121 | 250,228 | 2,912.82 |
7 | Rhode Island | 1,096,345 | 2,440 | 230.81 | 4,931 | 2,722 | 26,332 | 2,490.91 |
6 | Vermont | 642,893 | 1,081 | 173.42 | 3,515 | 2,607 | 15,172 | 2,433.96 |
5 | New Jersey | 9,271,689 | 17,353 | 195.37 | 19,669 | 2,512 | 205,750 | 2,316.39 |
4 | Idaho | 1,849,202 | 4,432 | 242.59 | 6,656 | 2,466 | 40,626 | 2,223.75 |
3 | Maine | 1,363,557 | 1,466 | 108.58 | 3,778 | 2,421 | 31,220 | 2,312.35 |
2 | Massachusetts | 6,995,729 | 21,288 | 308.81 | 23,394 | 2,415 | 145,204 | 2,106.37 |
1 | New Hampshire | 1,378,587 | 2,000 | 146.38 | 4,198 | 2,344 | 30,028 | 2,197.80 |
Crime Rate by State in the US: The Bottom Line
As we draw this exploration of US crime rates to a close, the emphasis remains on the gravity of crime levels in specific areas, namely the District of Columbia, Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Their unique challenges remind us of the necessity for varied, tailored approaches in crime reduction. We’re reminded, too, that progress is happening, as some regions show downward trends in crime types.
FAQs
What is meant by "crime rate by state"?
The term "crime rate by state" refers to the number of crimes committed per 100,000 people within a specific U.S. state, giving a comparative perspective on safety and security.
What types of activities are considered violent crimes?
Violent crimes encompass acts like aggravated assault, robbery, intentional or accidental homicide, and rape. These incidents, due to their severe nature, have a considerable impact on violent crime rates.
How are violent crime rates calculated?
Violent crime rates are computed by local law enforcement agencies and the FBI, tallying the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people. This standard approach ensures comparisons are meaningful, taking population differences into account.
Is motor vehicle theft a violent crime?
No, motor vehicle theft falls under property crimes, not violent crimes. However, its frequency can significantly influence overall property crime rates and is a key element in crime statistics.
What does "national average" refer to in terms of crime rates?
The "national average" provides a benchmark for crime rates, be it violent or property crimes, calculated by combining data from all states. It offers a broad perspective, enabling comparisons between individual states and the entire country.
How do property crime rates differ from violent crime rates?
While violent crimes involve harm or threat to an individual, property crimes include offenses like burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. These influence property crime rates and are more common than violent crimes, according to crimes reported.
How do drug abuse and gun violence impact crime rates?
Drug abuse and gun violence are key factors contributing to high crime rates. Areas with high levels of drug abuse often see more crimes, while gun violence can elevate homicide rates. Both play a significant role in overall crime statistics.
What measures can be taken to reduce crime rates?
To reduce crime, one can foster community engagement, improve educational opportunities, implement drug abuse treatment programs, and strengthen local law enforcement agencies. A multi-faceted approach is often most effective in combating crime.
How reliable are the crime rates provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)?
FBI data is highly trusted and frequently referenced due to its rigorous collection and validation process. However, it's important to remember that not all crimes are reported, so the actual crime rates may be somewhat higher than the ones stated.