The year 2020 was a chaotic one in the United States, as well as the world at large. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, gun sales spiked, as did unemployment. George Floyd’s murder by law enforcement took a toll on the trust of the nation’s police, and triggered a series of protests across the country. That year, in the midst of all the turmoil, cases of murder increased by 30%, the biggest one-year increase on record.
With 21,570 murders reported in the United States in 2020, the most recent year of available data, the national homicide rate stands 6.5 incidents for every 100,000 people – the highest it has been in over a decade.
Using FBI homicide rate data from 2011 through 2020, 24/7 Wall St. identified the deadliest year in each state in the last decade. Over that period, 2020 stands out as the year with the highest homicide rate in 37 states.
Nearly every state – even some those in which 2020 was not the worst year for homicide in the last decade – has reported an increase in homicide in the last 10 years. Nationwide, the number of reported murders increased by 47% from 2011 to 2020. Here is a look at the states where murders are up the most in the last decade.
In a further indication of rising rates of deadly violence in the U.S., in most states, the year with the lowest homicide rate in the last decade falls between 2011 and 2015. Additionally, the second deadliest year since 2011 is, in most of the country, 2016 or later. (Here is a look at America’s most dangerous states.)
Click here to see the worst year for murder in each state in the last decade.
Alabama
> Deadliest year: 2020; 9.6 murders per 100,000 people (471 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 8.6 murders per 100,000 people (419 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 5.7 murders per 100,000 people (276 total)
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Alaska
> Deadliest year: 2019; 9.4 murders per 100,000 people (69 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 8.4 murders per 100,000 people (62 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 4.1 murders per 100,000 people (30 total)
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Arizona
> Deadliest year: 2020; 6.9 murders per 100,000 people (513 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2011; 6.1 murders per 100,000 people (397 total)
> Least deadly year: 2015; 4.5 murders per 100,000 people (309 total)
Arkansas
> Deadliest year: 2020; 10.6 murders per 100,000 people (321 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 8.3 murders per 100,000 people (249 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 5.3 murders per 100,000 people (158 total)
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California
> Deadliest year: 2020; 5.6 murders per 100,000 people (2,203 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2012; 5.0 murders per 100,000 people (1,884 total)
> Least deadly year: 2019; 4.3 murders per 100,000 people (1,690 total)
Colorado
> Deadliest year: 2020; 5.1 murders per 100,000 people (294 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2019; 4.0 murders per 100,000 people (229 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 2.8 murders per 100,000 people (150 total)
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Connecticut
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.9 murders per 100,000 people (140 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2011; 3.6 murders per 100,000 people (129 total)
> Least deadly year: 2016; 2.2 murders per 100,000 people (79 total)
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Delaware
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.4 murders per 100,000 people (73 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2015; 6.7 murders per 100,000 people (63 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 4.4 murders per 100,000 people (41 total)
Florida
> Deadliest year: 2020; 5.9 murders per 100,000 people (1,290 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 5.4 murders per 100,000 people (1,111 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 4.9 murders per 100,000 people (982 total)
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Georgia
> Deadliest year: 2020; 8.8 murders per 100,000 people (943 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 6.6 murders per 100,000 people (682 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 5.6 murders per 100,000 people (549 total)
Hawaii
> Deadliest year: 2020; 2.9 murders per 100,000 people (41 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2018; 2.8 murders per 100,000 people (40 total)
> Least deadly year: 2015; 1.3 murders per 100,000 people (19 total)
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Idaho
> Deadliest year: 2016; 2.9 murders per 100,000 people (49 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (42 total)
> Least deadly year: 2019; 1.6 murders per 100,000 people (28 total)
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Illinois
> Deadliest year: 2020; 9.1 murders per 100,000 people (1,151 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 8.3 murders per 100,000 people (1,061 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 5.4 murders per 100,000 people (690 total)
Indiana
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.5 murders per 100,000 people (505 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 6.5 murders per 100,000 people (431 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 4.7 murders per 100,000 people (307 total)
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Iowa
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.5 murders per 100,000 people (111 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 3.1 murders per 100,000 people (98 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 1.3 murders per 100,000 people (41 total)
Kansas
> Deadliest year: 2017; 4.6 murders per 100,000 people (134 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 4.5 murders per 100,000 people (132 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 2.9 murders per 100,000 people (85 total)
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Kentucky
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.2 murders per 100,000 people (323 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 6.0 murders per 100,000 people (265 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 3.5 murders per 100,000 people (151 total)
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Louisiana
> Deadliest year: 2020; 15.8 murders per 100,000 people (734 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 12.3 murders per 100,000 people (576 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 10.2 murders per 100,000 people (476 total)
Maine
> Deadliest year: 2012; 2.0 murders per 100,000 people (26 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2011; 2.0 murders per 100,000 people (26 total)
> Least deadly year: 2016; 1.5 murders per 100,000 people (20 total)
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Maryland
> Deadliest year: 2017; 9.3 murders per 100,000 people (558 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2020; 9.1 murders per 100,000 people (553 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 6.1 murders per 100,000 people (362 total)
Massachusetts
> Deadliest year: 2011; 2.8 murders per 100,000 people (184 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 2.5 murders per 100,000 people (172 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 1.8 murders per 100,000 people (121 total)
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Michigan
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.6 murders per 100,000 people (754 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2012; 7.1 murders per 100,000 people (701 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 5.5 murders per 100,000 people (544 total)
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Minnesota
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.4 murders per 100,000 people (190 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2015; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (133 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 1.4 murders per 100,000 people (75 total)
Mississippi
> Deadliest year: 2020; 10.6 murders per 100,000 people (315 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2019; 10.0 murders per 100,000 people (298 total)
> Least deadly year: 2017; 6.4 murders per 100,000 people (190 total)
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Missouri
> Deadliest year: 2020; 11.8 murders per 100,000 people (723 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 9.8 murders per 100,000 people (599 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 6.1 murders per 100,000 people (366 total)
Montana
> Deadliest year: 2020; 5.0 murders per 100,000 people (54 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 3.9 murders per 100,000 people (41 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 2.3 murders per 100,000 people (23 total)
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Nebraska
> Deadliest year: 2011; 3.7 murders per 100,000 people (68 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2020; 3.6 murders per 100,000 people (69 total)
> Least deadly year: 2017; 2.2 murders per 100,000 people (42 total)
Nevada
> Deadliest year: 2017; 8.9 murders per 100,000 people (266 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 7.8 murders per 100,000 people (228 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 4.5 murders per 100,000 people (124 total)
New Hampshire
> Deadliest year: 2019; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (33 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2013; 1.6 murders per 100,000 people (21 total)
> Least deadly year: 2020; 0.9 murders per 100,000 people (12 total)
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New Jersey
> Deadliest year: 2013; 4.5 murders per 100,000 people (404 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2012; 4.4 murders per 100,000 people (388 total)
> Least deadly year: 2019; 3.0 murders per 100,000 people (263 total)
New Mexico
> Deadliest year: 2019; 8.8 murders per 100,000 people (185 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2020; 7.8 murders per 100,000 people (164 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 4.8 murders per 100,000 people (101 total)
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New York
> Deadliest year: 2020; 4.2 murders per 100,000 people (808 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2011; 3.9 murders per 100,000 people (769 total)
> Least deadly year: 2017; 2.8 murders per 100,000 people (550 total)
North Carolina
> Deadliest year: 2020; 8.0 murders per 100,000 people (852 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 6.7 murders per 100,000 people (678 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 4.7 murders per 100,000 people (463 total)
North Dakota
> Deadliest year: 2020; 4.2 murders per 100,000 people (32 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2012; 3.6 murders per 100,000 people (25 total)
> Least deadly year: 2017; 1.3 murders per 100,000 people (10 total)
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Ohio
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.0 murders per 100,000 people (820 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 6.4 murders per 100,000 people (741 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 4.0 murders per 100,000 people (464 total)
Oklahoma
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.4 murders per 100,000 people (296 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2019; 6.9 murders per 100,000 people (275 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 4.6 murders per 100,000 people (180 total)
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Oregon
> Deadliest year: 2020; 2.9 murders per 100,000 people (125 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 2.8 murders per 100,000 people (116 total)
> Least deadly year: 2018; 2.1 murders per 100,000 people (86 total)
Pennsylvania
> Deadliest year: 2020; 7.9 murders per 100,000 people (1,009 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2018; 6.1 murders per 100,000 people (784 total)
> Least deadly year: 2014; 4.8 murders per 100,000 people (610 total)
Rhode Island
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.0 murders per 100,000 people (32 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2013; 2.9 murders per 100,000 people (31 total)
> Least deadly year: 2018; 1.5 murders per 100,000 people (16 total)
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South Carolina
> Deadliest year: 2020; 10.5 murders per 100,000 people (549 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2019; 8.8 murders per 100,000 people (455 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 6.4 murders per 100,000 people (305 total)
South Dakota
> Deadliest year: 2020; 4.5 murders per 100,000 people (40 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2015; 3.7 murders per 100,000 people (32 total)
> Least deadly year: 2018; 1.4 murders per 100,000 people (12 total)
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Tennessee
> Deadliest year: 2020; 9.6 murders per 100,000 people (663 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2017; 8.0 murders per 100,000 people (538 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 5.2 murders per 100,000 people (335 total)
Texas
> Deadliest year: 2020; 6.6 murders per 100,000 people (1,931 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 5.3 murders per 100,000 people (1,478 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 4.3 murders per 100,000 people (1,140 total)
Utah
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.1 murders per 100,000 people (102 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (74 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 1.8 murders per 100,000 people (51 total)
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Vermont
> Deadliest year: 2017; 2.7 murders per 100,000 people (17 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2020; 2.2 murders per 100,000 people (14 total)
> Least deadly year: 2012; 1.3 murders per 100,000 people (08 total)
Virginia
> Deadliest year: 2020; 6.1 murders per 100,000 people (524 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2016; 5.7 murders per 100,000 people (482 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 3.8 murders per 100,000 people (304 total)
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Washington
> Deadliest year: 2020; 3.9 murders per 100,000 people (301 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2012; 3.1 murders per 100,000 people (217 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (163 total)
West Virginia
> Deadliest year: 2020; 6.6 murders per 100,000 people (117 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2019; 5.6 murders per 100,000 people (100 total)
> Least deadly year: 2013; 3.3 murders per 100,000 people (62 total)
Wisconsin
> Deadliest year: 2020; 5.3 murders per 100,000 people (308 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2015; 4.2 murders per 100,000 people (240 total)
> Least deadly year: 2011; 2.4 murders per 100,000 people (138 total)
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Wyoming
> Deadliest year: 2016; 3.4 murders per 100,000 people (20 total)
> Second deadliest year: 2011; 3.2 murders per 100,000 people (18 total)
> Least deadly year: 2019; 2.2 murders per 100,000 people (13 total)
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