Violent crime inched up by about 5% in the United States in 2020. The increase was led by a 29% surge in homicides — the largest such increase on record. Not all forms of criminal violence increased in frequency last year, however. Continuing a multi-decade downward trend, the robbery rate declined in the U.S. in 2020 and is now at its lowest level since at least the mid-1980s.
According to the FBI, robbery is a crime in which force or the threat of force or violence is used to take, or attempt to take, anything of value from another person. The largest share of robberies in the United States are committed on streets or sidewalks. Handguns are the most commonly used weapon in robberies, and more often than not, among the cases where a suspect can be identified, the offender and victim are strangers to one another.
There were nearly a quarter of a million robbery cases reported in the U.S. in 2020, or 74 for every 100,000 people. In some major metropolitan robberies are far less common than they are nationwide.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the metro areas with the fewest robberies. Metropolitan areas are ranked by their robbery rate — specifically, the number of reported robberies for every 100,000 residents.
Among the metro areas on this list, robbery rates range from 21.9 reported incidents per 100,000 people to 1.2 per 100,000. Idaho and Wisconsin are each home to six metro areas on this list, more than any other state, followed by Virginia, which is home to five.
There are four classifications of violent crime in the U.S. — rаpe, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — and robbery accounted for about 19% of the 1.3 million violent offenses reported in 2020. In each of the 50 metro areas with the lowest robbery rates, the overall violent crime rate is also below the national rate of 399 incidents per 100,000.
Click here to see the metros with the fewest robberies
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
> Robberies per 100k people: 21.9
> Number of robberies: 47 — 75th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 228.3 — 62nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.7% — 72nd highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 214,625 — 131st lowest of 292 metros
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49. Charlottesville, VA
> Robberies per 100k people: 21.3
> Number of robberies: 47 — 75th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 188.3 — 38th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.2% — 89th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 220,388 — 135th lowest of 292 metros
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48. Lewiston-Auburn, ME
> Robberies per 100k people: 21.2
> Number of robberies: 23 — 32nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 177.6 — 25th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.8% — 35th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 108,661 — 31st lowest of 292 metros
47. Rochester, MN
> Robberies per 100k people: 21.1
> Number of robberies: 47 — 75th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 187.6 — 36th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 6.9% — 9th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 222,817 — 138th lowest of 292 metros
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46. Morristown, TN
> Robberies per 100k people: 20.9
> Number of robberies: 30 — 48th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 361.9 — 144th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.9% — 111th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 143,413 — 68th lowest of 292 metros
45. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
> Robberies per 100k people: 20.9
> Number of robberies: 57 — 93rd lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 218.8 — 54th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 6.9% — 10th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 272,867 — 136th highest of 292 metros
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44. Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
> Robberies per 100k people: 20.3
> Number of robberies: 22 — 30th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 249.9 — 75th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.5% — 77th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 108,426 — 30th lowest of 292 metros
43. Ogden-Clearfield, UT
> Robberies per 100k people: 20.2
> Number of robberies: 140 — 129th highest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 172.9 — 23rd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 5.6% — 2nd lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 692,112 — 67th highest of 292 metros
42. Jacksonville, NC
> Robberies per 100k people: 20.1
> Number of robberies: 40 — 65th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 210.3 — 48th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.1% — 86th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 199,234 — 122nd lowest of 292 metros
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41. Casper, WY
> Robberies per 100k people: 19.8
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 227.0 — 61st lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.6% — 29th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 80,625 — 8th lowest of 292 metros
40. Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
> Robberies per 100k people: 19.2
> Number of robberies: 59 — 97th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 363.6 — 143rd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.5% — 76th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 306,891 — 121st highest of 292 metros
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39. Beckley, WV
> Robberies per 100k people: 19.2
> Number of robberies: 22 — 30th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 377.4 — 127th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 17.9% — 41st highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 114,718 — 36th lowest of 292 metros
38. Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL
> Robberies per 100k people: 17.3
> Number of robberies: 28 — 42nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 135.1 — 7th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.3% — 130th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 162,048 — 87th lowest of 292 metros
37. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
> Robberies per 100k people: 17.2
> Number of robberies: 50 — 80th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 268.9 — 87th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.9% — 81st lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 290,040 — 126th highest of 292 metros
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36. Kingston, NY
> Robberies per 100k people: 16.5
> Number of robberies: 29 — 46th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 139.8 — 8th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.9% — 116th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 175,918 — 107th lowest of 292 metros
35. Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY
> Robberies per 100k people: 16.2
> Number of robberies: 25 — 35th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 100.5 — 3rd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.1% — 88th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 154,232 — 83rd lowest of 292 metros
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34. Idaho Falls, ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 16.2
> Number of robberies: 25 — 35th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 283.6 — 96th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.5% — 27th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 154,789 — 84th lowest of 292 metros
33. Manhattan, KS
> Robberies per 100k people: 16.1
> Number of robberies: 21 — 28th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 376.1 — 130th highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 18.6% — 32nd highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 130,281 — 55th lowest of 292 metros
32. Green Bay, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 16.0
> Number of robberies: 52 — 85th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 225.0 — 59th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 59th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 324,478 — 115th highest of 292 metros
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31. Iowa City, IA
> Robberies per 100k people: 15.4
> Number of robberies: 27 — 41st lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 271.0 — 90th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.2% — 61st highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 175,256 — 106th lowest of 292 metros
30. Ames, IA
> Robberies per 100k people: 15.3
> Number of robberies: 19 — 23rd lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 183.8 — 29th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 15.6% — 75th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 124,033 — 48th lowest of 292 metros
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29. Grand Forks, ND-MN
> Robberies per 100k people: 15.0
> Number of robberies: 15 — 11th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 232.6 — 64th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.9% — 111th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 100,189 — 22nd lowest of 292 metros
28. Portland-South Portland, ME
> Robberies per 100k people: 14.7
> Number of robberies: 80 — 117th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 95.0 — 2nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 7.7% — 16th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 542,906 — 78th highest of 292 metros
27. Mankato, MN
> Robberies per 100k people: 14.7
> Number of robberies: 15 — 11th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 187.0 — 34th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 16.1% — 64th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 102,134 — 25th lowest of 292 metros
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26. The Villages, FL
> Robberies per 100k people: 14.6
> Number of robberies: 20 — 24th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 203.5 — 46th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.1% — 24th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 137,110 — 63rd lowest of 292 metros
25. Burlington-South Burlington, VT
> Robberies per 100k people: 14.5
> Number of robberies: 32 — 52nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 198.4 — 42nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.4% — 101st lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 221,248 — 136th lowest of 292 metros
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24. Appleton, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.4
> Number of robberies: 32 — 52nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 170.6 — 22nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 7.2% — 11th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 239,143 — 145th lowest of 292 metros
23. Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.3
> Number of robberies: 23 — 32nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 192.7 — 40th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 56th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 172,301 — 101st lowest of 292 metros
22. Barnstable Town, MA
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.2
> Number of robberies: 28 — 42nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 300.2 — 107th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 5.2% — the lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 211,545 — 130th lowest of 292 metros
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21. Jefferson City, MO
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.2
> Number of robberies: 20 — 24th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 165.9 — 20th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.8% — 76th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 151,302 — 78th lowest of 292 metros
20. Wenatchee, WA
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.2
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 116.2 — 4th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 13.0% — 136th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 121,320 — 40th lowest of 292 metros
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19. Sheboygan, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 13.0
> Number of robberies: 15 — 11th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 181.4 — 28th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.0% — 23rd lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 115,218 — 37th lowest of 292 metros
18. Wausau-Weston, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 12.3
> Number of robberies: 20 — 24th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 244.5 — 72nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.0% — 22nd lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 163,196 — 88th lowest of 292 metros
17. Staunton, VA
> Robberies per 100k people: 12.1
> Number of robberies: 15 — 11th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 186.9 — 33rd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 7.3% — 15th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 123,568 — 43rd lowest of 292 metros
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16. Boise City, ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.9
> Number of robberies: 92 — 131st lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 262.7 — 83rd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 9.9% — 52nd lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 771,135 — 59th highest of 292 metros
15. Blacksburg-Christiansburg, VA
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.9
> Number of robberies: 20 — 24th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 186.4 — 32nd lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 22.9% — 6th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 167,909 — 91st lowest of 292 metros
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14. Harrisonburg, VA
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.8
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 152.2 — 14th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 14.4% — 95th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 135,962 — 60th lowest of 292 metros
13. Pocatello, ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.4
> Number of robberies: 11 — 6th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 268.8 — 86th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.9% — 139th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 96,729 — 17th lowest of 292 metros
12. Winchester, VA-WV
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.3
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 150.8 — 12th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 8.6% — 30th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 141,877 — 67th lowest of 292 metros
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11. Lewiston, ID-WA
> Robberies per 100k people: 11.0
> Number of robberies: 7 — 2nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 184.4 — 30th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.2% — 91st lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 63,436 — 5th lowest of 292 metros
10. Punta Gorda, FL
> Robberies per 100k people: 10.9
> Number of robberies: 21 — 28th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 152.2 — 13th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.0% — 119th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 191,879 — 119th lowest of 292 metros
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9. Bangor, ME
> Robberies per 100k people: 10.5
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 57.7 — the lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.1% — 124th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 152,409 — 80th lowest of 292 metros
8. Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
> Robberies per 100k people: 10.0
> Number of robberies: 24 — 34th lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 242.9 — 70th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 12.0% — 121st lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 239,151 — 146th lowest of 292 metros
7. Twin Falls, ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 9.7
> Number of robberies: 11 — 6th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 383.4 — 122nd highest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 11.7% — 108th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 113,458 — 34th lowest of 292 metros
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6. Fond du Lac, WI
> Robberies per 100k people: 9.7
> Number of robberies: 10 — 5th lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 174.9 — 24th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 6.2% — 5th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 103,517 — 28th lowest of 292 metros
5. Coeur d’Alene, ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 9.4
> Number of robberies: 16 — 16th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 201.5 — 44th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 54th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 170,237 — 97th lowest of 292 metros
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4. St. George, UT
> Robberies per 100k people: 7.1
> Number of robberies: 13 — 8th lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 161.5 — 17th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 9.8% — 51st lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 182,066 — 113th lowest of 292 metros
3. Glens Falls, NY
> Robberies per 100k people: 6.5
> Number of robberies: 8 — 4th lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 125.9 — 6th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 10.8% — 79th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 123,934 — 46th lowest of 292 metros
2. Logan, UT-ID
> Robberies per 100k people: 4.9
> Number of robberies: 7 — 2nd lowest of 292 metros (tied)
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 118.2 — 5th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 14.7% — 90th highest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 143,828 — 69th lowest of 292 metros
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1. Midland, MI
> Robberies per 100k people: 1.2
> Number of robberies: 1 — the lowest of 292 metros
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 144.9 — 9th lowest of 290 metros
> Poverty rate: 9.3% — 45th lowest of 292 metros
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 82,820 — 12th lowest of 292 metros
Methodology
To determine the metro with the fewest robberies, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed robbery figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. The rate of robberies per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
Limited data were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though these states were not excluded from analysis. Only metro areas for which the boundaries defined by the FBI match the boundaries as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau were considered.
Additional information on the violent crime rate and the population within the jurisdictions reporting figures to the FBI are also from the 2020 FBI UCR. Poverty rates are one-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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