America's Most Dangerous Cities

The United States of America is well-known as the promising land of opportunities, but it is also plagued by its own problems. All is not well with the superpower. Crime is a multiple headed monster that keeps raising its ugly head in the various cities spread across America. This Buzzle article is a listing of America's most dangerous cities according to latest crime statistics.

This listing of the most dangerous cities in America is based on the published crime statistics and surveys conducted by national journals during 2010. Just as some cities are renowned in the United States for being the safest, there are certain cities which have the notoriety of being America's most dangerous cities. While moving around in these cities and its certain neighborhoods, you need to really watch out for yourself and your family. With a high crime rate of every kind ranging from burglary, robbery, assault, murder, rape and motor vehicle theft, these are by far some of the most dangerous places to move around in the United States.

This article has no intention of spreading paranoia or unnecessary fear, but is only meant to alert US citizens about these crime ridden areas. Another reason for making this list is to drive the US government's attention towards these cities, hoping that the authorities may be able to do something about the conditions that lead a man to take the path of crime in such cities. This article draws heavily from the data provided by the FBI. Let it be noted that statistics can be deceptive and they can be misguiding, as not all crimes are reported. So it must be kept in mind, that the crime statistics provided here are approximate. Many cities that deserve being reported may not be included in here, due to statistical flaws and incapability of numbers in bringing out the true picture.

Top Ten of America's Most Dangerous Cities

The reason for the spread of crimes is quite complex. There exist many sociological and psychological reasons for a person to take up crime. Ignorance, deprivation, poverty, misguided aggression, aimlessness of life are some of the reasons which give rise to crime. While surveying for the most dangerous cities, particular emphasis was given to violent crimes. Out of surveys made in more than 300 cities around the United States, these were the cities that turned out to have the notoriety of being America's most dangerous. These 10 dangerous cities rank high on all kinds of violent crimes. These ranking are based on 2010 crime statistics obtained from FBI's 'Uniform Crime Reports'.

America's Most Dangerous Cities
Rank	City	State	Violent Crime Rate*	Murder*	Forcible Rape*	Aggravated Assault*	Robbery*	Burglary*	Property Crime*	Arson*	Motor Vehicle Theft	Larceny/Theft*
1	Detroit	Michigan	1,887.4	34.5	45	1,192.2	615.7	1,900.1	5,312.9	120.3	1,401.1	2,011.8
2	Memphis	Tennessee	1,541.5	13.2	62.6	985.2	480.4	1,943.7	6,255.2	48.7	583.4	3,728
3	Springfield	Illinois	1,237	6	88.6	854.5	287.9	1,846.1	6,446.4	48.6	204.5	4,395.9
4	Flint	Michigan	2,207.9	48.5	84.2	1,461.9	613.3	3,339.3	5,709.2	314	597.7	1,772.2
5	Anchorage	Alaska	837.7	4.5	90.9	585.9	156.4	421.2	3,518	29.6	280.0	2,816.8
6	Lubbock	Texas	878.1	4.4	39.9	689.9	143.9	1,353	5,437.8	23.7	222.1	3,862.8
7	Stockton	California	1,380.9	16.8	36.6	843.7	483.8	1,534.7	5,539.2	21.2	698.9	3,305.6
8	Tallahassee	Florida	1,032.6	7.4	74.5	668.7	281.9	1,673.2	4,915.9	12	200	3,042.7
9	Las Vegas	Nevada	893	7.6	46	556.8	282.6	976	3,051.3	16.9	505.8	1,569.5
10	Rockford	Illinois	1,454.7	13.4	70.4	1,053.9	316.9	1,520.7	4,997.4	57	280.4	3,196.3

* Per 100,000 Residents, 2010 Data

#1: Detroit, Michigan
With 337 homicides in 2011 (a 13.5% rise over 2010), Detroit tops the list of most dangerous cities. Once known as the murder capital of America, Detroit is rapidly heading towards gaining back its lost notoriety. Though burglary and robbery showed pronounced decline, there was an overall rise in rape and murder cases in 2011. It was ranked by Forbes to be the most dangerous city in USA today, according to latest crime statistics. It reported a crime rate volume of 1,887.4 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens in 2010. The economic recession, coupled with downsizing and drop in automobile production in Detroit may be some reasons for rise in crime.

#2: Memphis, Tennessee
The largest city in Tennessee by population, Memphis has risen to attain be the second most dangerous city in USA, due to a high number of violent crimes in recent times. Though the violent crime rate has dropped substantially, it still remains considerably high, compared to other cities. Robbery, homicide and aggravated assault remain to be the biggest headaches for the city's police department. It recorded 1,541.5 crimes of violent nature per 100,000 citizens in 2010. Poverty and unemployment are some of the prime reasons why Memphis exists in this top 10 list.

#3: Springfield, Illinois
The capital city of Illinois, Springfield ranks third in the list of most dangerous cities, owing to its high violent crime rate. The high percentage of theft, burglary, arson and assaults in the city have made it a dangerous place to live. In 2010, about 1,237 violent crimes were recorded, per hundred thousand citizens, with murder, forcible rape, property theft and aggravated assault featuring prominently.

#4: Flint, Michigan
With a record 2,207.9 violent crimes reported in 2010, per 100,000 citizens, Flint has stayed in news for years, as one of America's most high crime rate metropolises. Rising unemployment and poverty have played a role in raising the crime rate over the years. It lies at the top of the list in almost every crime department, as reported by FBI's 2010 crime statistics.

#5: Anchorage, Alaska
The largest city in Alaska, also has the highest crime rate in the state, with 837.7 violent crimes recorded per 100,000 citizens. What puts Anchorage high on the list is one of the highest numbers of forced rape cases, as well as larceny and theft. Drug usage and related crime is another menace which plagues this city, making it the fifth most dangerous city in USA.

#6: Lubbock, Texas
Drug trade, shootings and gang wars, with 878.1 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens, have made Lubbock, to be one of the most crime ridden cities in USA. The health care and economic hub of Texas has a drug problem, which needs to be solved soon, before it tarnishes its image as one of the most promising business centers in Texas.

#7: Stockton, California
With a count of 1,380.9 violent crimes per 100,000 natives, Stockton is another city plagued with drug related crimes. Due to proximity to drug trade routes, Stockton continues to suffer. Though crime rate has decreased since a past few years, it still remains considerably high. It ranks high, due to a high incidence of property crimes too.

#8: Tallahassee, Florida
An educational hub, Tallahassee, situated in Leon county, Florida, has earned itself the eight position, in this list of US cities with the highest violent crime rates. Violent crimes and property related crimes top the list in Tallahassee. Its count amounts to 1,032.6 violent crimes, per 100,000 residents, with the likelihood of being a victim, being as high as 1 in 14. Homicide, forced rape, larceny and property theft top the crime charts in this city. Vehicle theft is also known to be quite high in this city.

#9: Las Vegas, Nevada
The 'Sin City' has ironically lived up to its name with a crime rate of 893 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens with high incidences of property crime, larceny and theft, followed by aggravated assault and motor vehicle theft. Surveys reveal the probability of being a victim in Las Vegas are 1 in 41, which is lesser than all the above cities, but still quite high compared to the Nevada average. It is one of America's most dangerous cities.

#10: Rockford, Illinois
Known as the 'Forest City', Rockford has shot up in notoriety to become one of the most dangerous cities in USA, with a violent crime rate of 1,454.7 per 10,000 in 2010. There is also a high incidence of property crimes and theft.

Here are some more cities, which don't feature among the top 10, but certainly deserve to be counted among 'America's Most Dangerous Cities'.

City	Violent Crime Rate 2010 (Per 100,000 Citizens)
Camden, New Jersey	2,328
Saginaw, Michigan	2,232.5
Wilmington, Delaware	1,909.4
St. Louis, Missouri	1,747.1
Pontiac, Michigan	1,698.8
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	1,641.8
Irvington, New Jersey	1,606.6
Spartanburg, South Carolina	1,597.1
New Haven, Connecticut	1,595.4
Oakland, California	1,529.6
Little Rock, Arkansas	1,522.9
Baltimore, Maryland	1,455.8
Trenton, New Jersey	1,433.8
Buffalo, New York	1,357.5

Most of these cities are prosperous and have a high concentration of wealth and amenities, compared to regions around. This unequal distribution of resources over the country attracts people towards the cities. With unemployment and lack of opportunities, drug addiction and aimlessness in life, crime rises. The spread of organized crime in such cities is one of the main reasons for their listing as the most dangerous cities in America. Strict law enforcement, gun control, better education and employment opportunities are the solutions that can bring the crime rate down. The authorities need to address the root causes of crime rise in these cities. Only then can these cities become safer.