The ten most dangerous cities in the US for 2023 have been revealed – and the worst may come as a surprise.
Monroe, Louisiana, has held the top spot as the most crime-ridden city for the past two years, but has been bumped to second place this year by a newcomer.
A small southwestern suburb in Birmingham, Alabama, with just 27,000 residents, tops the list for the most crime per capita this year, according to research from Security Gauge.
Bessemer, in Jefferson County, is now officially the most dangerous place to live in America, based on proportional crime rates.
Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live in every city in the United States with a population of at least 25,000 or more.
Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live in every city in the United States with a population of at least 25,000 or more
They collected data on violent crimes – murder, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault – in every city from all 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the US. The statistics are contextualized per 1,000 people.
1. Bessemer, AL
Bessemer topped the rankings in 2023 with 33.18 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
According to Security Gauge, residents of America’s most unstable city have a one in thirty chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
With a population size of approximately 27,000 residents, the crime rate in Bessemer is much higher than other cities with similar demographics.
It scored particularly poorly in the areas of physical violence and property crimes, along with motor vehicle theft.
Bessemer, in Jefferson County, Alabama, is now officially the most dangerous place to live in America, based on proportional crime rates
Founded in 1887 by coal magnate Henry DeBardeleben, Bessemer became an industrial powerhouse as a center for ore mining, iron smelting, and iron and coke production.
Rapid growth in the 20th century earned it the nickname “The Marvel City,” but development peaked in 1970, amid the decline in rail car and steel production.
Although the industrial portfolio has since diversified with the introduction of a giant Amazon fulfillment center among other companies, crime skyrocketed due to rising unemployment in the area.
2. Monroe, Louisiana
With a one in 38 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, Monroe ranks second on the danger list, according to Security Gauge.
About 47,000 people live in the northern Louisiana city on the Ouachita River.
Monroe, Louisiana, held the top spot as the most crime-ridden city for the past two years, but has been bumped to second place this year by a newcomer
With several museums and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, it seems an unlikely city to take second place.
But it has one of the highest murder rates in the United States, according to analysis of reports to the FBI, and was the most dangerous city for the past two years until it was toppled by Bessemer this year.
3. Saginaw, Mich
Saginaw, located 100 miles from Detroit, which is known for its crime, has a violent crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents.
Saginaw, Michigan has been demoted from the fourth most dangerous place to third this year
It recently made headlines after two people were killed and at least 15 others injured during a wild, unauthorized street party posted on social media.
A 51-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were shot dead in a Saturday night shooting in July.
4. Memphis, Tenn
Memphis, Tennessee ranks third with the same crime rating as Saginaw.
Located on the Mississippi River, Memphis is known for its rock and roll music scene and Elvis Presley, and has a population of approximately 700,000.
Memphis, Tennessee ranks third with the same crime rating as Saginaw (photo)
It also ranked among the top three U.S. homicide hotspots, with scholars linking rising homicide rates to soft Democratic leadership and low police morale.
A WalletHub study found that homicide rates in the country’s largest cities rose by a tenth between the first quarter of 2001 and the same period this year – and are still rising.
5. Detroit, Michigan
The city of Detroit in eastern Michigan, home to 620,000 people, has a violent crime rate of 23 per 1,000 – with a one in 43 chance of becoming a victim for the local population.
Violent crimes recorded included rape, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery and aggravated assault, including assault with a deadly weapon.
Detroit is consistently ranked among the worst cities for crime due to its urban decay and declining population.
6. Birmingham, Alabama
The Bessemer crime scene is also leaking into nearby Birmingham, which often tops the charts for violent activity.
This year it came in sixth place with a violent crime rate of 20.6 per 1,000, with a one in 49 chance of being a victim for residents.
It’s also the city where infamous ‘missing woman’ Carlee Russell, 26, spent 49 hours staging her own kidnapping.
7. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
With a violent crime rate of 20.5 per 1,000 residents, the town of Pine Bluff in Jefferson County is the seventh most dangerous place to live in the US.
The central Arkansas city is home to about 40,000 people and has 50 more crimes per square mile than the statewide average.
8. Little Rock, Arkansas
Just 40 miles northwest of Pine Bluff lies America’s eighth most violent city.
Little Rock has 20.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, with a one in 49 chance of being a victim.
9. Alexandria, Louisiana
The city of Alexandria in northern Louisiana has a violent crime rate of 18.8 per 1,000 residents.
Residents of the city on the banks of the Red River have a one in 58 chance of becoming a victim.
10. Cleveland, Ohio
Security Gauge ranked the top 100 most crime-ridden places to live in every city in the United States with a population of at least 25,000 or more
At 10th in the violence rankings is Cleveland, Ohio, with a rate of 17.1 per 1,000.
The chance of becoming a victim in the town of Lake Eire Bay is one in 58.