19 of the Most Dangerous Small Towns in America
This post may contain affiliate links.
Traveling off the beaten path can be thrilling, especially for those who seek adventure and a deeper connection to local history. While small towns often evoke images of charming streets and friendly locals, some have earned a reputation for being somewhat dangerous.
From hidden dangers lurking in quiet alleys to eerie local legends, these towns prove that big trouble can come in small packages.
Camden, New Jersey
Situated across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden has faced chronic issues of poverty, unemployment, and urban decay, which have fueled its high crime rates. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program reports that Camden has a violent crime rate of approximately 2,268 incidents per 100,000 residents.
This category includes serious offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime is also a considerable issue in Camden, with a reported rate of 2,551 incidents per 100,000 residents. Property crimes include burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Visit during daylight hours and stick to well-populated areas.
Española, New Mexico
Despite its rich Native American culture and historic landmarks, Española reports approximately 5,327 property-related crime incidents per 100,000 residents. This includes burglaries, larceny thefts, and motor vehicle thefts.
The violent crime rate is approximately 1,265 incidents per 100,000 residents. This encompasses offenses such as aggravated assault, robbery, and homicide.
East St. Louis, Illinois
As you wander through its streets, the palpable sense of history mingles with an undercurrent of caution. According to an FBI report, the violent crime rate in East St. Louis is staggering: 3,833 incidents per 100,000 residents, far exceeding the national average.
This includes crimes such as aggravated assault, and homicide. Though slightly lower, property crimes are still significant, with a rate of 5,153 incidents per 100,000 residents. This includes larceny, and motor vehicle theft.
Florida City, Florida
Nestled at the gateway to the Florida Keys, Florida City might initially seem like a picturesque starting point for a tropical adventure. With a population of just over 12,000, this small town has earned a rather daunting distinction due to its unsettling crime rates and natural hazard vulnerabilities.
The violent crime rate is 25.84 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is a staggering 94.17 per 1,000 residents, reports the NeighborhoodScout. Its proximity to hurricane-prone areas adds another layer of risk.
Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama, may be famed for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, but it has a violent crime rate of 19.76 per 1,000 residents. This includes crimes such as assault, robbery, and even homicide.
Property crime is no less worrisome, at 57.36 per 1,000 residents. This encompasses burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Daytime visits to historical sites are generally safe.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Nestled in the heart of Jefferson County, Pine Bluff, Arkansas (population of approximately 42,000) is an agricultural and industrial hub facing economic decline. The town has a violent crime rate of 17.7 per 1,000 residents – robbery, assault, and even homicide.
Property crime is equally concerning, with a rate of 54.3 per 1,000 residents, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. These statistics reflect the struggles the town faces with unemployment and poverty, factors that often contribute to higher crime rates.
Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa has a violent crime rate of approximately 12.5 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes are also prevalent, with a rate of around 39.2 per 1,000 people.
Cocoa has invested in technology, such as surveillance cameras and License Plate Recognition Systems, to enhance public safety and deter criminal activity.
Gallup, New Mexico
Nestled along historic Route 66, Gallup, New Mexico, has long been a vibrant cultural crossroads. However, the town has a property crime rate of approximately 4,200 incidents per 100,000 people, nearly double the national average.
Violent crime is a serious concern, with a rate of about 1,500 incidents per 100,000 people. Stay alert, particularly at night.
Muskegon Heights, Michigan
Muskegon Heights has faced issues with violent crimes, including aggravated assaults, robberies, and homicides.
The town has a violent crime rate of 2,126 per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the national average of 398 per 100,000. Visit during the day and remain vigilant.
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw has a violent crime rate of 15.47 per 1,000 residents and a property-related crime rate of 28.88 per 1,000 residents. The high crime rates in Saginaw stem from various factors, including economic hardship, unemployment, and social instability.
Partnerships with organizations such as the Saginaw Community Foundation aim to provide youth programs, mental health support, and economic opportunities vital to creating a safer environment. Stick to main roads and well-lit areas.
Bastrop, Louisiana
Bastrop has a violent crime rate of approximately 1,745 incidents per 100,000 people, with a reported property-related crime rate of 5,015 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a poverty rate hovering around 40%, many residents face limited job opportunities, which can lead to increased criminal activity.
Enhanced policing strategies, including community policing efforts, have been implemented to foster better relationships between law enforcement and the community. Moreover, youth programs and job training initiatives are being promoted to provide alternatives to criminal activities and break the cycle of poverty.
Cleveland, Mississippi
With a population of just over 12,000, Cleveland has a violent crime rate that stands at approximately 630 incidents per 100,000 residents, while property crime rates are also elevated, with around 3,100 incidents per 100,000 residents, indicating frequent occurrences of theft, burglary, and vehicle theft.
Eerie local legends also caution travelers about Cleveland. Stories of haunted sites and ghostly apparitions abound, adding a layer of suspense for the adventurous but wary traveler. Initiatives such as neighborhood watch groups and youth outreach programs aim to divert young people from potential criminal activities.
West Memphis, Arkansas
Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, this small town faces significant issues related to crime, particularly violent crime. West Memphis has a violent crime rate of approximately 1,970 incidents per 100,000 residents, far exceeding the national average of 398.5 per 100,000.
Property crime rates are also alarmingly high, with 5,892 incidents per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 2,109.9 per 100,000. The city has invested in surveillance technologies and increased patrols in high-crime areas to deter criminal activity.
Bessemer, Alabama
Once a booming steel town, a key concern for residents and visitors alike is the high level of violent crime – 1,196 incidents per 100,000 people, well above the national average. This rate includes crimes such as murder, assault, and robbery.
Property crime is also prevalent, with a rate of 4,691 incidents per 100,000 people, encompassing burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Initiatives focusing on youth engagement, such as after-school programs and mentorship opportunities, are being promoted to reduce juvenile delinquency.
Flint, Michigan
Once a bustling hub for the automobile industry, Flint has faced significant economic downturns, leading to widespread poverty and a spike in crime rates. Flint’s violent crime rate stands at approximately 22.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, and its property crime rate is around 34.4 incidents per 1,000 residents.
The water crisis that began in 2014 brought national attention to the town’s infrastructure problems and health risks, further complicating life for its residents.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
This small town, with a population of approximately 54,000, reports a violent crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents and a property-related crime rate of 40.2 per 1,000 residents.
The local police department has implemented community policing strategies to build stronger relationships with residents, which, in turn, help in crime prevention and identification. The town has also invested in surveillance technologies and increased patrols in high-crime areas to deter criminal acts.
Hobbs, New Mexico
Hobbs might initially seem like a typical small town with its oil derricks and wide-open landscapes. However, Hobbs reports a violent crime rate of approximately 850 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is nearly double the national average.
Property crimes are also a pressing issue, with a rate of 4,500 incidents per 100,000 people. Initiatives have included increasing police patrols in high-crime areas, establishing neighborhood watch programs, and launching community outreach efforts to foster trust between law enforcement and residents.
Danville, Illinois
Nestled in Vermilion County, Danville has a violent crime rate of 9.84 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average. Violent crimes in this town include aggravated assaults, murders, robberies, and rapes.
Property crimes are also notably high, with 46.24 per 1,000 residents. These offenses encompass burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. Through workforce development programs and educational outreach, the town has invested in social services to address the root causes of crime.
Tukwila, Washington
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program reports that Tukwila’s violent crime rate is approximately 980 incidents per 100,000 residents. This figure includes offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The property crime rate of 13,000 incidents per 100,000 residents includes burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Initiatives aimed at job creation, education, and affordable housing are essential components of the town’s long-term strategy to reduce crime and improve its residents’ overall quality of life.
13 American Things That Make Other Powerful Nations Envious and Wish They Could Have
From the purple mountains’ majesty to its shining seas and vast amber waves, the United States inspires awe and admiration around the globe. Love it or loathe it, this land has bred an ethos of ambition, progress, and outreach, leading to many achievements that continue to make America the gold standard in the eyes of many.
13 American Things That Make Other Powerful Nations Envious and Wish They Could Have
15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
Embarking on a journey to explore the World’s most beautiful beaches is akin to opening a book filled with tales of nature’s grandeur, radiant sunshine, azure waters, and the soothing rhythm of waves. These beaches, scattered across the globe, promise authentic experiences that evoke a sense of awe at the sheer beauty of our planet.
15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!
Do you dream of owning a beachfront property? Of hearing the waves lap against your shoreline and feeling the sand between your toes while you drink in the salty sea air? Well, you’re not alone! Many people have made their beachfront dreams a reality by buying their perfect waterfront home.
Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!
