Which U.S. States Have the Highest Crime Rates in 2024?
Are you worried about crime where you live — or thinking about moving and wondering which states are safest? You’re not alone. Everyone wants to feel secure where they live, work, and travel.
The good news: crime in the U.S. is actually going down. According to the FBI’s 2024 data, violent crime fell 4.5% compared to the year before, and property crime also dropped over 8% nationwide. That means overall, things are getting safer — but some states still struggle more than others.
Let’s break it down.
Quick Takeaways
-
National violent crime dropped 4.5% in 2024, including big declines in homicides and assaults. (FBI, Aug 2025)
-
Property crime also fell 8.1%, continuing the positive trend from 2023.
-
Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico, and Tennessee top the list for highest homicide rates. (USAFacts, 2024)
-
Long term, U.S. violent crime has dropped by almost 50% since the early 1990s.
Understanding the Numbers
Crime rates are measured per 100,000 people so we can compare small towns and big states fairly.
Violent crimes include murder, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault.
Property crimes include theft, burglary, and car theft.
The FBI’s 2024 “Crime in the Nation” report shows progress on nearly every front — but where you live still matters a lot.
The States with the Highest Crime Rates (2024 Snapshot)
🏙️ District of Columbia
While not technically a state, D.C. consistently reports the nation’s highest overall crime rate. Dense population, high traffic, and reporting quirks make its numbers stand out — but don’t panic; trends are improving in 2024 after a tough 2023.
❄️ Alaska
With wide-open spaces and remote communities, Alaska faces unique challenges. Its violent crime rate (758.9 per 100,000 in 2022) still ranks among the nation’s highest. Law enforcement coverage gaps and isolation play big roles here.
🌵 New Mexico
New Mexico continues to top the charts for violent and property crimes — 780.5 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2022 — and it ranked #4 in homicide rates for 2023. Cities like Albuquerque have seen improvement, but overall safety remains a major concern.
⚜️ Louisiana
Louisiana has long battled high homicide and assault rates. In 2023, it ranked #2 in the nation for murders per capita, driven largely by violence in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Statewide initiatives are underway to strengthen policing and community programs.
🌾 Mississippi
Mississippi topped the 2023 homicide rate list — the most murders per capita of any U.S. state. Rural poverty, limited resources, and access to firearms all play a role.
🎸 Tennessee
Known for music and barbecue — and unfortunately, high crime stats — Tennessee ranks #5 for homicide rates. Memphis and Nashville account for much of the state’s violent crime, though both cities are improving.
🐘 Alabama
Alabama ranked #3 for homicide rates in 2023, with most violence concentrated in Birmingham and Mobile. Local police reforms are helping bring numbers down in 2024.
🌲 Arkansas
With a 2022 violent crime rate of 645 per 100,000 people, Arkansas lands among the top states for crime. Property theft and assault are the biggest issues, though rates are slowly improving.
🌴 South Carolina
South Carolina’s violent crime rate remains above the national average, especially in certain metro areas. Homicides rose through 2022 but are leveling off as of 2024.
☀️ Arizona
Arizona struggles more with property crime — car theft, shoplifting, and break-ins — rather than violent offenses. The bright spot: the state’s violent crime rate fell in 2024, matching national trends.
Are Crime Rates Going Up or Down?
Down — mostly!
From 1993 to 2019, violent crime dropped by nearly half nationwide. After some pandemic-related spikes in 2020–2021, crime rates have declined again for two straight years.
-
Violent crime: ↓ 4.5% in 2024
-
Property crime: ↓ 8.1% in 2024
-
Homicide rate: 5.9 per 100,000 in 2023 (down from 6.7 in 2022)
(Sources: FBI, USAFacts, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2024–2025)
Even states with higher rates are seeing progress — which proves that community programs, policing changes, and prevention efforts can work.
How Blingsting Helps Women Stay Safer 💖
At Blingsting, we believe confidence is the best kind of protection — and it starts with being prepared.
Our safety tools are cute, compact, and powerful enough to make a difference when it matters most:
-
Max-strength pepper spray — small but mighty, up to 12 feet of protection.
-
High-voltage stun guns disguised as chic lipstick tubes.
-
Personal safety alarms that blast up to 120 dB to deter attackers.
-
Car escape tools designed to break glass and cut seatbelts in seconds.
We’ve helped over 3 million women feel safer and more confident on the go — and we’re just getting started.
💕 Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay cute.
Final Thoughts
Crime rates may fluctuate, but awareness and preparation make all the difference. Whether you’re comparing states or just want to feel safer walking to your car, knowing the facts helps you stay one step ahead.
Because when women are confident, informed, and equipped — we change the stats.