# Most violent cities in USA **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839 "2013-01-11T08:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/1 "2013-01-11T08:40:59Z")
The FBI has released a list of the 20 American cities which had the highest violent crime rates in 2012. 1. Flint, MI - 2337 violent crimes per 100,000 people 2. Detroit, MI - 2137 violent crimes per 100,000 people 3. St. Louis, MO - 1857 violent crimes per 100,000 people 4. Oakland, CA - 1683 violent crimes per 100,000 people 5. Memphis, TN - 1584 violent crimes per 100,000 people 6. Little Rock, AR - 1490 violent crimes per 100,000 people 7. Birmingham, AL - 1483 violent crimes per 100,000 people 8. Atlanta, GA - 1433 violent crimes per 100,000 people 9. Baltimore, MD - 1417 violent crimes per 100,000 people 10. Stockton, CA - 1408 violent crimes per 100,000 people 11. Rockford, IL - 1373 violent crimes per 100,000 people 12. Cleveland, OH - 1366 violent crimes per 100,000 people 13. New Haven, CT - 1344 violent crimes per 100,000 people 14. Harford, CT - 1311 violent crimes per 100,000 people 15. Buffalo, NY - 1238 violent crimes per 100,000 people 16. Kansas City, MO - 1200 violent crimes per 100,000 people 17. Miami, FL - 1198 violent crimes per 100,000 people 18. Philadelphia, PA - 1193 violent crimes per 100,000 people 19. Nashville, TN - 1181 violent crimes per 100,000 people 20. Newark, NJ - 1166 violent crimes per 100,000 people Personal note - I’ll be traveling through five of these cities this month. Wish me luck. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/2 "2013-01-11T11:55:06Z")
I’m surprised not to see New Orleans on that list. I thought it had a high murder rate. Perhaps it does, but fewer other violent crimes. There seems to be a swath of destruction down through the middle from Flint downward to Little Rock. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/3 "2013-01-11T12:43:19Z")
Saginaw must’ve been too small to make the list. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/4 "2013-01-11T13:05:50Z")
Flint number one! Ten days into 2013 and there’s already [three homicides and one “suspicious” death](http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/01/flint_sees_a_deadly_start_to_2.html#incart_river). Flint has a population of about 100,000 people, Saginaw’s about half that. I lived in Flint for six years. Sold that house and moved a little north of Flint 2 1/2 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/5 "2013-01-11T14:37:32Z")
Use [this link](https://arep2.aoc.arkansas.gov/cconnect/PROD/public/ck_public_qry_cpty.cp_personcase_setup_idx) and search for Floyd Conic. Why the hell do they keep letting him out? ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/6 "2013-01-11T14:49:57Z")
I drive through St. Louis a lot. It’s the north side, around Interstate 70, that is really, really bad. Downtown, the South Side, and Central West End aren’t all that bad. You still need to watch out for yourself. Right across the Mississippi River is East St. Louis, Illinois. It’s a very, very dangerous place. There’s also some smaller towns next to it like Washington Park, Illinois. Scary dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/7 "2013-01-11T16:12:19Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Saginaw must’ve been too small to make the list. Good luck. I’m actually confused because I saw this list somewhere else recently (it might not have been the FBI list) and Saginaw was #7. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/8 "2013-01-11T17:02:29Z")
I was born in Detroit. We of course left the city as the dysfunction became worse, as almost everyone who could afford to ended up doing. Still, it’s not all bad, even now. Some people might be surprised to know that there are still some affluent neighborhoods there. [They’ve suffered in the recent economic times](http://www.freep.com/article/20071217/NEWS05/712170328/Elite-neighborhoods-try-stay-way) but there’s still a community there that cares about keeping things nice (which I think is the main thing that makes the difference between a respectable poor neighborhood and blight - if people living there still care at all). These wealthy areas often have private security forces that patrol the neighborhood, since of course in Detroit the police force is pretty much totally fucked up and can’t be relied on. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/9 "2013-01-11T17:04:26Z")
I’m surprised New Haven is on the list only because I assume every town in Connecticut are cute little New England towns with snow and trees. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/10 "2013-01-11T17:05:12Z")
Flint is where the winners are! Yeeah boy! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/11 "2013-01-11T17:17:37Z")
Where’s Chicago? Didn’t 500+ get whacked last year? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/12 "2013-01-11T17:25:54Z")
> [@Labtrash](#): > > Where’s Chicago? > > Didn’t 500+ get whacked last year? Chicago has 3,000,000 people. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/13 "2013-01-11T17:32:37Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’m surprised New Haven is on the list only because I assume every town in Connecticut are cute little New England towns with snow and trees. Yes, I was surprised to see Hartford and New Haven there. You don’t usually think of the mean streets of Connecticut. But I suppose it makes sense. A lot of those old New England mill towns have the same kind of long term unemployment that you see in places like Detroit and Saint Louis. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/14 "2013-01-11T17:33:47Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > I’m surprised not to see New Orleans on that list. I thought it had a high murder rate. Perhaps it does, but fewer other violent crimes. Yes, I expected to see both New Orleans and Washington. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/15 "2013-01-11T17:39:11Z")
Michigan with a 1 - 2 punch! Yeah! I’m always surprised to see Nashville up there. I’ve only been there a few times, but it never seemed that bad. You never know what lies off the beaten path. Another ? for New Orleans being left off. Maybe it’s getting better. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/16 "2013-01-11T17:42:52Z")
> [@JerrySTL](#): > > I drive through St. Louis a lot. It’s the north side, around Interstate 70, that is really, really bad. Downtown, the South Side, and Central West End aren’t all that bad. You still need to watch out for yourself. I grew up near St. Louis, lived in the Central West End for a while, and worked in Midtown for a year or so. I pretty much agree with this. The CWE could get a little worrisome at times, and violent crimes do definitely happen there, but overall I felt pretty safe there. Maybe that’s because I’m a guy. If I were a woman alone at night in the CWE, my perception might be different. Anyway, think St. Louis is a wonderful city and I hate to see it vying for the top spot on these lists every year. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/17 "2013-01-11T17:57:24Z")
Who’s the biggest badass here? 1 point if you’ve been to the city, 2 points if you’ve been to the city within the past year, 5 points if you currently live in the city. **1. Flint, MI - 2337 violent crimes per 100,000 people** - 1 **2. Detroit, MI - 2137 violent crimes per 100,000 people** - 2 **3. St. Louis, MO - 1857 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 1 4. Oakland, CA - 1683 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 2 5. Memphis, TN - 1584 violent crimes per 100,000 people**- 2 6. Little Rock, AR - 1490 violent crimes per 100,000 people 7. Birmingham, AL - 1483 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 1 **8. Atlanta, GA - 1433 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 1 9. Baltimore, MD - 1417 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 2 10. Stockton, CA - 1408 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 2 11. Rockford, IL - 1373 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 1 12. Cleveland, OH - 1366 violent crimes per 100,000 people**- 1 13. New Haven, CT - 1344 violent crimes per 100,000 people 14. Harford, CT - 1311 violent crimes per 100,000 people 15. Buffalo, NY - 1238 violent crimes per 100,000 people **16. Kansas City, MO - 1200 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 1 17. Miami, FL - 1198 violent crimes per 100,000 people- 2 18. Philadelphia, PA - 1193 violent crimes per 100,000 people**- 1 19. Nashville, TN - 1181 violent crimes per 100,000 people **20. Newark, NJ - 1166 violent crimes per 100,000 people** - 1 I got 21 points. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/18 "2013-01-11T18:04:48Z")
I’m a wimp with 6 points. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/19 "2013-01-11T18:25:16Z")
Michigan is first AND second. That.is.awesome. Mainly since I do not live there. Let Canada have the whole state! Edit: I think the per capita while important is not as good of an indicator as overall crimes which would put places like NYC, LA and Chicago on the list. ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839/20 "2013-01-11T18:36:24Z")
Born, raised and continue to live in Rockford. Number 11 but we are working on it. Honestly I’ve never been affected by violence, none of my friends or neighbors either. Just a huge gang problem. Keep your nose clean and you barely notice it. The pro gun people here are extremely vocal. Scary vocal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-violent-cities-in-usa/646839.md?page=2)