America's 50 Most Dangerous Metropolitan Areas

Hot Springs is one of five metro areas in Arkansas to rank among the 50 most dangerous U.S. cities. There were 583 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the metro area in 2020, well above the national violent crime rate. The local violent crime rate is also rising rapidly — increasing by 11.3% in the last year, more than double the national increase.

Crime in the United States is often disproportionately concentrated in poor communities, and in Hot Springs, 17.4% of the population live below the poverty line, compared to 12.3% of the U.S. population.

WIth a violent crime rate of 591 incidents per 100,000 people, Tulsa, Oklahoma, ranks among the 50 most dangerous metro areas in the country. The local homicide rate of 9.3 murders per 100,000 is also among the highest of U.S. metro areas and well above the 6.5 per 100,000 national rate.

Violent crime has risen rapidly in the metro area last year, up nearly 12% over 2019. Some local officials attribute the high and rising crime rates in the area to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fresno is one of four California metro areas to rank among the 50 most dangerous cities in the United States. Nearly 6,000 violent crimes were reported in Fresno in 2020, or 597 for every 100,000 people.

Rates of violence are often higher in places with limited economic opportunity — and in Fresno, 20.6% of the population live below the poverty line and average unemployment in 2020 was 11.3%. This compares to the national 12.3% poverty rate and 8.1% jobless rate that year. Local police point to gang activity as a driver of violence in the area.

Merced is one of several metro areas in California’s Central Valley to rank among the 50 most dangerous cities in the country. A total of 1,660 violent crimes were reported in the metro area in 2020, or 599 for every 100,000 people. Like much of the country, Merced is suffering from a surge in violent crime, particularly homicide. There were 24 murders in the metro area in 2020, double the number reported in 2019. The spike in homicide contributed to an 8.2% increase in the overall violent crime rate.

While violence is on the rise in Merced, property crimes are becoming less common. Over the last year, cases of motor vehicle theft have fallen by 4.1% in the metro area, burglaries were down 10.2%, and cases of larceny theft have declined by nearly 20%.

Lawton is the most dangerous metro area in Oklahoma and one of the 50 most dangerous in the United States. There were a total of 759 violent crimes reported in the metro area in 2020, or 603 for every 100,000 people. The local homicide rate is especially high. With 12.7 murders for every 100,000 people, homicide is nearly twice as common in Lawton as it is on average nationwide.

Rates of violence are relatively high in Lawton despite falling 15.8% since 2019. The decline was driven by fewer reported cases of rаpe and aggravated assault.

The overall violent crime rate in Kokomo, Indiana, climbed 8.8% last year and now stands at 604 incidents per 100,000 people, higher than in the vast majority of other U.S. metro areas. To address the high and rising rates of violence, the Kokomo mayor recently announced the reinstatement of a crime analyst within the city police department. The position was created to take a proactive approach to crime reduction by providing recommendations related to resource allocation through data analysis.

While violence is on the rise in Kokomo, property crimes are becoming less common. Over the last year, cases of motor vehicle theft have fallen by 7.9% in the metro area, while both burglaries and cases of larceny theft were each down by over 20%.

Of the 50 most dangerous metro areas in the United States, six are in Texas — more than in any other state. The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area is one of them, with a violent crime rate of 606 incidents per 100,000 people.

Overall rates of violence in the Beaumont metro area are up by nearly 12% year over year. The district attorney for Jefferson County, Texas, which covers both the cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur, has pointed to pandemic-related delays in criminal trials leading to a backlog of cases and resulting in violent offenders remaining on the street longer than they otherwise would.

Nearly 3,500 violent crimes were reported in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, metro area in 2020 — or 613 for every 100,000 people, a 16.6% increase from the previous year. Rising crime rates in the area were led by a 25.0% rise in murder cases and a 34.5% surge in robberies.

Much of the violence in and around the city involves firearms. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly called the scourge of gun violence an epidemic, as shootings the city have continued to rise into 2021. As of early July, there were 114 shootings reported in the city proper, up from 79 at the same time in 2020 and 69 in 2019. Kelly pointed to poverty and a lack of opportunity as some of the underlying conditions that lead to gun violence. Chattanooga’s poverty rate of 12.7% is only slightly higher than the 12.3% national rate.

The violent crime rate in Fort Smith, Arkansas, of 615 incidents for every 100,000 people is among the highest in the country. Driven by a rise in homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault, Fort Smith’s violent crime rate climbed by 5% last year, in line with the national increase.

While violence is on the rise in Fort Smith, property crimes are becoming less common. Over the last year, the burglary has fallen by 13.8% in the metro area, and the larceny theft rate declined by 11.1%.

Up 8% from 2019, the violent crime rate in the Nashville, Tennessee, metro area stands at 616 incidents per 100,000 people — well above the national rate. The increase in violent crime in the Nashville area was led by homicides, which surged by nearly 29% year over year.

Rising rates of deadly violence have continued well into 2021 in Nashville. As of early July, 68 homicides were committed in the city proper, up from 43 at the same point in 2020 and 30 the previous year.

The violent crime rate in the New Orleans metro area of 624 incidents for every 100,000 people is among the highest in the nation. The local violent crime rate climbed by 13.2% last year, more than double the national increase. The homicide rate is especially high in the area. There were 277 murders in New Orleans in 2020, or 21.7 for every 100,000 people, fourth highest among U.S. metro areas and more than triple the national homicide rate.

While violence is on the rise in New Orleans, property crimes are becoming less common. Cases of burglary have fallen by 11.8% in the metro area in 2020, and larceny theft cases declined by 16.1%.

Jackson is the second most dangerous metro area in Tennessee and one of the most dangerous nationwide. A total of 1,115 violent crimes were reported in the metro area in 2020, or 625 for every 100,000 people. Though cases of rаpe, robbery, and homicide declined in 2020, aggravated assault cases increased, resulting in a 1.8% year-over-year overall uptick in the local violent crime rate.

In the early months of 2021, gang violence has been on the rise in Jackson, as have drug-related crimes. In an attempt to reverse the trend, the Jackson Police Department is reinstating its Blue Impact Program, which among other tactics, uses community policing — a strategy based on public-facing events designed to develop trust between police and community members.

There were 1,152 violent crimes reported in the Billings, Montana, metro area in 2020, or 627 for every 100,000 people. Like much of the country, the area is suffering from a surge in violence. According to the Billings Police Department, domestic violence calls increased by 25% in 2020 and assaults on police officers and assaults with a weapon each increased by 50%.

In response to the rising violence, Billings residents passed a ballot initiative in November 2021 that will allocate $7.1 million to address the rising rates of violence. That money is in addition to the extra $5 million allocated to public safety in 2020.

Springfield is the only metro area in Missouri to rank among the 50 most dangerous cities in the United States. There were 2,993 violent crimes reported in Springfield in 2020, or 632 for every 100,000 people. Though the metro area’s overall violent crime rate declined slightly in 2020, the reported number of homicides soared by over 50% — from 17 in 2019 to 26 in 2020.

Crime in the United States is often disproportionately concentrated in poor communities, and in Springfield, 15.4% of the population live below the poverty line, compared to 12.3% of the U.S. population.

There were 45,368 violent crimes committed in Houston — one of the largest metro areas in the country — last year. Even after adjusting for its large population, the local violent crime rate is higher than in most of the rest of the country, at 632 incidents per 100,000 people. The metro area’s robbery rate of 168 incidents for every 100,000 people is particularly high, ranking in the top 10 metros for robberies.

Violence in Houston has continued to increase in 2021. Homicides in the city are up 29% so far this year compared to the same period last year. Firearms are a common factor in many violent crimes across the metro area.

South Bend is the most dangerous metro area in Indiana and one of the most dangerous nationwide. There were 2,121 violent crimes reported in South Bend in 2020, or 655 for every 100,000 people.

In a State of the City address earlier this year, South Bend Mayor James Mueller acknowledged the rising rates of violence in the city during the pandemic and called for residents to work together to reduce crime committed — often with firearms — by local youth. There were 133 shooting victims in South Bend proper in the first seven months of 2021 alone.

Over half of the 50 most dangerous U.S. metro areas are in the South with five are in Arkansas alone — and Jonesboro is one of them. After jumping 18.6% year over year, Jonesboro’s violent crime rate stands at 660 incidents for every 100,000 people. The increase was driven by a surge in cases of aggravated assault.

Crime in the United States is often disproportionately concentrated in poor communities, and in Jonesboro, 18.9% of the population live below the poverty line, compared to 12.3% of the U.S. population.

Farmington, New Mexico, is one of only 10 metro areas located in a Western state to rank among the 50 most dangerous metro areas in the country. There were 817 violent crimes reported in Farmington in 2020, or 661 for every 100,000 people.

Rates of violence are often higher in places with limited economic opportunity — and in Farmington, 21.2% of the population live below the poverty line, and average unemployment in 2020 was 10.0%. This compares to the national 12.3% poverty rate and 8.1% jobless rate that year.

After jumping 15.9% year over year, the violent crime rate in the Kalamazoo-Portage, Michigan, metro area stands at 663 incidents for every 100,000 people. The increase was driven by a 33% surge in aggravated assault cases and a 67% spike in homicide cases.

Rising rates of gun violence are contributing to the trend. All but one of the homicides reported in Kalamazoo proper were carried out with a firearm, and the number of non-fatal shootings in the city doubled from 2019 to 2020. Gun violence shows no signs of slowing as shootings year to date are higher in 2021 than they were in 2020.

Battle Creek is one of five Michigan metro areas to rank among the 50 most dangerous U.S. cities. There were 886 violent crimes reported in the metro area in 2020, or 664 for every 100,000 people. Homicides in Battle Creek more than doubled year over year, from six in 2019 to 14 in 2020.

Rates of violence are often higher in places with limited economic opportunity — and in Battle Creek, 13.4% of the population live below the poverty line and average unemployment in 2020 was 9.7%. This compares to the national 12.3% poverty rate and 8.1% jobless rate that year.

After jumping 20.6% year over year, the violent crime rate in the Niles, Michigan, metro area stands at 664 incidents for every 100,000 people — higher than in the vast majority of U.S. metro areas. The increase was driven by a 38% surge in cases of aggravated assault and a 60% spike in homicide cases.

As is often the case in metro areas with high rates of criminal violence, Niles is home to a disproportionately large share of residents facing severe financial hardship. The local poverty rate of 16.2% is considerably higher than the comparable 12.3% national rate.

Rapid City is the only metro area in South Dakota, and one of 13 in the Midwest, to rank among the 50 most dangerous U.S. cities. There were 957 violent crimes reported in Rapid City in 2020, or 665 for every 100,000 people — a 25% increase from the previous year.

While reports of every category of violent crime increased in Rapid City in 2020, none climbed more than homicide. A total of 15 murders were committed in the metro area last year, triple the reported number in 2019.

There were 1,369 violent crimes reported in the Springfield, Illinois, metro area in 2020, or 667 for every 100,000 people. Like much of the country, Springfield is suffering from a surge in violence. Though reported cases of rаpe and robbery declined in the area year over year, homicides climbed by 20% and cases of aggravated assault surged by nearly 25%.

Springfield is one of three metro areas in Illinois to rank among the 50 most dangerous U.S. cities. In early November 2021, Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order classifying the gun violence afflicting much of the state as a public health emergency. The creation of the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, tasked with coordinating efforts to prevent violence, is one of the measures the executive order will implement.

There were 1,787 violent crimes reported in the Amarillo, Texas, metro area in 2020, or 673 for every 100,000 people. Like much of the country, Amarillo is suffering from a surge in violence. Though reported cases of rаpe and robbery declined in the area year over year, homicides climbed by 12.5% and cases of aggravated assault surged by 21%. As a result, the overall violent crime rate climbed 13% year over year.

Rising rates of violence have continued into 2021 in Amarillo. City police report an uptick in gun violence — often involving stolen firearms — and homicide.

Milwaukee-Waukesha is the only metro area in Wisconsin to rank among the 50 most dangerous U.S. cities. After jumping 17.4% year over year, the violent crime rate in the metro area stands at 678 incidents for every 100,000 people — higher than in the vast majority of U.S. metro areas. The increase was led by an 86% surge in homicides, from 111 in 2019 to 206 in 2020.

The majority of homicides in Milwaukee proper in 2020 were committed in an area that, due to redlining and other racist housing policies, is both poor and predominantly Black. Some local officials connect the rising violence in the area to an influx of firearms and increased tensions between police and the communities they serve.

Following a 21.3% spike, the violent crime rate in the Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, metro area stands at 683 per 100,000 — higher than in the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan areas. The increase was led by homicides, which more than doubled from 41 in 2019 to 85 in 2020.

Deadly violence in the area has continued to surge into 2021, prompting Shreveport’s chief of police to step down following a vote of no confidence from the city council. Local experts claim that the pandemic has exacerbated existing socioeconomic problems, like poverty, that are linked to crime. An estimated 22.2% of metro area residents live below the poverty line, compared to 12.3% of all Americans.

There were 6,216 violent crimes reported in the Bakersfield, California, metro area in 2020, or 692 for every 100,000 people. Like much of the country, Bakersfield is suffering from a surge in violence. Though reported cases of rаpe and robbery declined in the area year over year, aggravated assault cases climbed by 20.8% and homicides surged by 38.1%. As a result, the overall violent crime rate climbed 11.5% year over year.

Local police officials attribute high and rising crime, in part, to a statewide reduction in prison populations, which has resulted in the release of some violent offenders after serving less than half of their sentence.

In a break from the national trend, the violent crime rate in Odessa, Texas, fell considerably in 2020. Still, despite the 20.9% decline from the previous year, the metro area’s violent crime rate of 697 incidents for every 100,000 people is one of the highest of any U.S. metro area.

Local police confirm that crime rates have continued to decline in Odessa in 2021. To reduce violence, Odessa police have focused on getting illegal firearms off the streets.

The Macon-Bibb County metro area in Georgia is one of only 22 nationwide with a violent crime rate exceeding 700 incidents per 100,000 people. There were 1,624 violent crimes reported in the area in 2020, or 708 for every 100,000 people.

Like much of the country, Macon is suffering from a surge in violence. Though reported cases of robbery declined in the area year over year, aggravated assault cases surged by 91.9% and homicides more than doubled, from 21 in 2019 to 44 in 2020. As a result, the overall violent crime rate spiked 55.7% year over year.

Pueblo is the only Colorado metro area — and one of only 10 in the Western U.S. — to rank among the 50 most dangerous cities in the country. There were 1,216 violent crimes reported in the area in 2020, or 722 for every 100,000 people. Violence in the Pueblo metro area is being driven by gang activity and firearms. There were over 200 shootings in the city proper in 2020 — including 161 drive-by shootings — and four gang-related homicides.

As is often the case in metro areas with high rates of criminal violence, Pueblo is home to a disproportionately large share of residents facing severe financial hardship. The local poverty rate of 17.9% is considerably higher than the comparable 12.3% national rate.

Stockton ranks as the most dangerous metro area in California and one of the most dangerous nationwide. There were 5,517 violent crimes reported in the city in 2020, or 723 for every 100,000 people. Though the city’s overall violent crime rate fell by 8.3% last year, the number of homicides spiked. There were 84 homicides committed in Stockton in 2020, a 68% increase from 50 in 2019.

A local police spokesman attributed the increase, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic, as there were 15 homicides resulting from domestic disputes in the city proper last year, when in normal years, there are one or two such murders. The vast majority of all homicides in Stockton last year involved firearms.

In a break from the national trend, the violent crime rate in the Corpus Christi, Texas, metro area did not change meaningfully in 2020. Still, the metro area remains among the most dangerous in the country, with 738 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in 2020. The city also reported a 22.9% increase in homicides, from 35 in 2019 to 43 in 2020.

A spokesman for the Corpus Christi Police Department has said that in order to lower crime rates, law enforcement is applying for federal grants and is hiring more officers. Local officers are also engaged in community outreach to improve relations with city residents.

Following a 9.9% increase, the violent crime rate in the Gainesville, Florida, metro area stands at 760 incidents per 100,000 — higher than in the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan areas and nearly double the U.S. violent crime rate. The increase in violent crime was led by homicides, which more than doubled from seven in 2019 to 17 in 2020.

In addition to a spike in murders, Gainesville also reported an uptick in robberies and aggravated assault cases in 2020. Violence, in particular gun violence, has continued into 2021. The Gainesville Police Department received a reported 189 calls for gunfire from January through July alone.

Rockford is the second most dangerous metro area in Illinois and the fourth most dangerous in the Midwest. There were 2,566 violent crimes reported in Rockford in 2020, or 771 for every 100,000 people. Violent crimes surged in 2020, and the area’s violent crime rate is now 21.5% higher than it was in 2019.

Rising rates of violence in the metro area were led by an 80% spike in murders, from 20 in 2019 to 36 in 2020. The metro area also reported a 30% jump in cases of aggravated assault last year.

Lake Charles, Louisiana’s violent crime rate is nearly double the U.S. rate. There were 1,663 violent crimes reported in the metro area in 2020, or 789 for every 100,000 people. Due entirely to a surge in cases of aggravated assaults, Lake Charles’ violent crime rate is 44% higher now than it was in 2019.

Rates of violence are often higher in places with limited economic opportunity — and in Lake Charles, 20.4% of the population live below the poverty line, and average unemployment in 2020 was 8.9%. This compares to the national 12.3% poverty rate and 8.1% jobless rate that year.

Of the five Michigan metro areas to rank among the 50 most dangerous cities in the country, Saginaw has the second highest violent crime rate, trailing only Detroit. After surging by 27.4% year over year, Saginaw’s violent crime rate stands at 795 incidents per 100,000 people — nearly double the national violent crime rate. At 17.5 per 100,000, the murder rate is particularly high, more than triple the national homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

The surge in violence in Saginaw prompted the city council to approve a more than $250,000 expenditure on high definition cameras that will be used to identify suspected violent criminals.

There were 1,140 violent crimes reported in the Sumter, South Carolina, metro area in 2020, or 812 for every 100,000 people. Driven by a 16% rise in aggravated assault cases and a 65% surge in homicides, the overall violent crime rate in Sumter is 13% higher now than it was in 2019.

While violence is on the rise in Sumter, property crimes are becoming less common. Cases of motor vehicle theft have fallen by 13.1% in the metro area over the last year, burglaries were down 32.1%, and cases of larceny theft have declined by 5.5%.

There were 277 violent crimes reported in the Fairbanks, Alaska, metro area in 2020, or 841 for every 100,000 people — more than double the national violent crime rate. Though reported cases of robbery and rаpe declined in the metro area in 2020, aggravated assault cases climbed, contributing to a 5.9% year-over-year increase in the overall violent crime rate.

In a statewide crime reduction effort, Alaska’s Department of Public Safety is making a free crime tip app available for download. The app will allow residents to anonymously report criminal activity.

Florence ranks as the most dangerous metro area in South Carolina and one of the most dangerous nationwide. There were a total of 1,764 violent crimes reported in the metro area in 2020, or 860 for every 100,000 people. As is the case nationwide, aggravated assault cases were the most common form of criminal violence reported in the metro area last year.

While violence is on the rise in Florence, property crimes are becoming less common. Burglaries were down 29.1% last year, and cases of larceny theft have declined by 9.6%.

Six of the 50 U.S. metro areas with highest violent crime rates are located in Texas. Of those, Lubbock ranks as the most dangerous. Nearly 3,000 violent crimes were reported in the metro area in 2020, or 919 for every 100,000 people.

Lubbuck’s violent crime rate climbed by nearly 10% last year. The increase was led by a 182% surge in homicides, from 11 in 2019 to 31 in 2020. As a result, the local homicide rate of 9.5 incidents per 100,000 people is now well above the 6.5 per 100,000 national rate, while in 2019, the metro area’s homicide rate of 3.4 per 100,000 was far below the national rate of 5.1 per 100,000 that year. Local officials connect the surge in deadly violence to drug use, firearms, and domestic violence.

Following a 20% spike in 2020, the violent crime rate in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Arkansas, metro area now stands at 939 per 100,000 — higher than in the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan areas and more than double the national violent crime rate. The increase was driven by increases in homicides and aggravated assault cases.

In October 2021, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. announced a comprehensive plan to reduce violence in the city. The plan includes an increased police budget and signing bonuses for new officers. New strategies in law enforcement will include increased police visibility, increased surveillance, targeted policing, and expanded social services.

The violent crime rate in Alexandria, Louisiana, of 968 incidents per 100,000 people is among the highest in the United States. Deadly violence is especially common in the metro area. There were 22 homicides in Alexandria in 2020, or 14.5 per 100,000 people — more than double the 6.5 per 100,000 national murder rate.

Deadly violence has continued into 2021. Less than three months into the year, the Alexandria Police Department reported 12 fatal shootings, compared to 22 total homicides in all of 2020.

In a break from the national trend, the violent crime rate is declining in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Still, despite the 3.6% decline, the local violent crime rate stands at 1,006 incidents per 100,000 people, well more than double the national rate and the highest of any Western state in the lower 48.

Local officials tie high levels of violence in the city to homelessness and financial hardship. An estimated 15.5% of the metro area population live below the poverty line, compared to 12.3% of all Americans.

Following a near nation-leading 40.5% surge in violent crime in 2020, the Albany metro area stands alone as by far the most dangerous city in Georgia. Nearly 1,500 violent crimes were reported in the Albany metro area in 2020, or 1,008 for every 100,000 people. The increase was led by a 55% surge in cases of aggravated assaults and a near doubling of homicides — from 12 in 2019 to 23 in 2020.

As is often the case in metro areas with high rates of criminal violence, Albany is home to a disproportionately large share of residents facing severe financial hardship. The local poverty rate of 22.6% is considerably higher than the comparable 12.3% national rate.

Danville is the most dangerous metro area in Illinois and the second most dangerous in the Midwest. There were 785 violent crimes reported in the metro area in 2020, or 1,050 for every 100,000 people. Deadly violence is especially common in the metro area. There were 13 homicides in Danville in 2020, or 17.4 per 100,000 people — well more than double the 6.5 per 100,000 national murder rate.

As is the case in much of the country, criminal violence is becoming more common in Danville. The local violent crime rate is 12.3% higher now than it was in 2019.

With a violent crime rate of 1,088 incidents per 100,000 people, Detroit is by far the most dangerous metro area in Michigan and the most dangerous in the Midwestern United States. There were 387 murders reported in the Detroit area in 2020, or 22.3 for every 100,000 people — the third highest homicide rate of any metro area.

Deadly violence in the city has continued in 2021. As of July, homicides in the city were on pace to eclipse the number reported in 2020.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas, ranks as the most dangerous metro area in the state and fourth most dangerous nationwide. Following a 22.6% year-over-year increase, Pine Bluff’s violent crime rate stands at 1,098 incidents per 100,000 people, nearly three times higher than the U.S. violent crime rate. In an encouraging break from the national trend, however, homicides declined in the metro area last year, from 28 in 2019 to 24 in 2020.

According to Pine Bluff Mayor Shirely Washington, the area’s high crime rates are one of the factors contributing to steep population decline in the area. Between 2010 and 2020, Pine Bluff reported a 12.5% population decline, the largest drop of any U.S. metro area over that period.

Despite a 1.9% annual decline in the violent crime rate, Anchorage, Alaska, is the most dangerous metro area in the Western United States and the third most dangerous metro nationwide. There were 3,576 violent crimes reported in Anchorage in 2020, or 1,171 for every 100,000 people, nearly three times the national violent crime rate.

In a break from the national trend, homicide cases declined precipitously in Anchorage, from 34 in 2019 to 18 in 2020. According to a police spokesperson, homicides in the metro area typically involve domestic disputes and, increasingly, drugs.

Five of the 50 U.S. metro areas with highest violent crime rates are located in Louisiana. Of those, Monroe ranks as the most dangerous. More than 2,600 violent crimes were reported in the metro area in 2020, or 1,309 for every 100,000 people — more than three times the U.S. violent crime rate. The near nation-leading levels of violence in the city are partially the result of a crime surge that drove the violent crime rate up by 61% from 2019 to 2020.

The city police chief attributes the rise to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to a rise in drug activity and use of illegal firearms.

The Memphis, Tennessee, metro area ranks as the most dangerous city in the United States. More than 18,000 violent crimes were reported in the metro area in 2020, or 1,359 for every 100,000 people — more than three times the U.S. violent crime rate. The number of homicides committed in Memphis climbed by 38%, from 237 in 2019 to 327 in 2020. At 24.2 per 100,000 people, the homicide rate in Memphis is the second highest of any U.S. metro area.

Deadly violence continues to rise in Memphis. The city has reported more homicides so far in 2021 than it had over the comparable period the previous year. City leaders have plans to curtail criminal violence in the city, but reportedly need hundreds more police officers to execute those plans. The department is reportedly offering a $15,000 signing bonus in order to aid in the recruitment effort.