Crime rates can vary widely across the United States. While many communities report relatively low levels of violent and property crime, others continue to deal with serious public safety issues.
FBI data from 2022 highlights just how much those differences can be. States such as New Mexico and Alaska recorded more than 700 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents, while Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine each reported fewer than 200.
Property crime is far more common than violent crime across the country. In 2022, the FBI reported nearly 2,000 property crimes per 100,000 people, compared with about 381 violent crimes. Many cities have made progress in recent years, but some still struggle with high rates of assaults, robberies, thefts, and other offenses. Here are several cities that continue to face ongoing crime challenges.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix has long dealt with a high number of aggravated assaults, making them the city’s most common violent offense. While that remains a concern, there has been encouraging progress.
According to AH Datalytics, the number of homicides fell during 2024 compared with previous years. The Phoenix Police Department also rolled out a crime reduction plan focused on repeat violent offenders and crimes such as robbery and aggravated assault.
Public safety remains a major focus as Phoenix continues to grow. At the same time, reports of fatal police shootings in Maricopa County have kept conversations about policing and community safety in the spotlight.
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New York, New York
New York City has seen crime trends move in a positive direction over the past few years. Data released by the city shows fewer major crimes during the first part of 2024, including declines in shootings and homicides.
Grand larceny remains one of the city’s most common reported offenses, though many other crime categories have fallen. The subway system has also become safer than it was in recent years, helping improve confidence among riders.
New York remains one of the busiest cities in the country, and staying aware of your surroundings is still a smart habit, especially in crowded areas.
Stockton, California
Stockton continues to report violent crime levels that exceed both the California and national averages.
During the first months of 2024, homicides increased sharply, reaching roughly half of the previous year’s total by May. Across San Joaquin County, violent crime has remained a serious issue for years, with hundreds of homicides recorded over the past decade.
Stockton offers affordable housing and a growing downtown, but crime continues to be one of the city’s biggest obstacles.
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Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta has made steady progress in reducing gun violence. Early 2024 numbers showed shootings continuing to decline after improvements seen the year before.
While violent crime has fallen in many neighborhoods, vehicle theft has become a larger concern. That shift highlights how crime patterns can change over time, even while overall safety improves.
Atlanta remains a major business and entertainment hub, though residents and visitors should still take common-sense precautions.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore continues to face one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, with aggravated assaults making up a large share of reported offenses.
The city recorded fewer violent crimes during the first part of 2024 than during the same period a year earlier, and homicides also declined. Still, shootings, robberies, and carjackings continue to affect many neighborhoods.
Local officials have credited focused policing and community programs for some of the progress, but reducing violent crime remains a long-term challenge.
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Orlando, Florida
Millions of visitors travel to Orlando every year, yet the city also reports property crime levels that are higher than the national average.
Burglaries, vehicle thefts, and larceny account for many of the reported crimes. City leaders have pointed to declines in violent crime during 2024, offering encouraging signs that public safety efforts are making a difference.
Tourists and residents alike should stay alert, particularly in unfamiliar neighborhoods and crowded areas.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee saw encouraging results during the early months of 2024, with homicides dropping well below the previous year’s numbers.
Aggravated assaults remain the city’s largest violent crime issue, though several major crime categories also moved lower. By late spring, homicides were still below where they had been the year before.
Local leaders hope those improvements continue while working to reduce violent crime across the city.
Houston, Texas
Houston has reported one of its strongest improvements in public safety in recent years.
During 2024, homicides dropped by nearly one-quarter compared with the previous year. Reports of robbery, rape, and aggravated assault also declined, placing Houston among several large cities experiencing lower violent crime.
While those numbers point in the right direction, aggravated assaults remain a concern in many parts of the city, and law enforcement continues to focus resources on reducing violent offenses.
