The violent crime rate in the U.S. fell for two years in a row after an increase in 2020, according to annual estimates from the FBI. After spiking by close to 30%, data also indicates the homicide rate was down by about 3% in 2022 compared with that first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property crime – which covers infractions such as vehicle theft and burglary – appeared to increase in 2022 for the first time in two decades, however. And in some states, crime rates per 100,000 residents remained well above the national mark.
As part of the 2024 Best States rankings, U.S. News factored in both the violent crime rate and property crime rate in each state to determine how well they foster public safety, which informs the best states for crime and corrections rankings and the overall Best States rankings.
Places at the bottom of the public safety ranking form this list of the country’s most dangerous states. Among the lower 48, they span from the West Coast to the South, and all but two of the 10 land in the lower half of the overall Best States rankings for 2024.
These are the 10 most dangerous states in the U.S., according to the Best States analysis. For its part, the FBI notes that numerous factors can affect the amount and type of crime in different areas, including population density, economic conditions, climate and family cohesiveness.
You can learn more about how states are assessed for the Best States rankings in our methodology.
Source: 10 Most Dangerous States in America | Best States | U.S. News