An analysis of FBI crime data by state asserts that Alaska, New Mexico and Tennessee are the “most dangerous states,” USA Today reports. More than 1.2 million incidents of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder were reported in 2018, a three percent decline from the previous year. The decrease in violent crime represents the continuation of a long-term trend. The U.S. violent crime rate stands at 381 incidents per 100,000 people, down from a high of 758 per 100,000 in 1991. Still, in some states, violent crime rates are nearly as high or higher than they were nationwide in the early 1990s.
Using 2018 data a website called 24/7 Wall St. reviewed statewide violent crime rates to identify what it termed the most dangerous states. In some cases, a single city can account for over one-quarter of violent crime in a state. Crime appears to be closely tied to economic conditions, says 24/7 Wall St. States with limited economic opportunity and a large percentage of residents struggling financially also tend to have higher violent crime rates. Conversely, economic conditions tend to be good in states with lower crime. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the number of violent crimes reported in 2018 per 100,000 residents for all 50 states. The FBI’s violent crime categories are rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder.