Introduction
In 2019, there were 14,742 murders reported in the United States according to FBI data. The annual rate of murder has been falling since its peak in 1991 at 9.8 victims per 100,000 people. However, despite a steady decline since then, the U.S. still ranks amongst the worst countries in developed nations for homicide rates. This is due largely to higher levels of gun violence in the U.S. than other industrialized countries. Other contributing factors are poverty, unemployment, and gang activity which can lead to an increase of violent crime. The states with the highest murder rates in 2019 were Louisiana, which ranks first in the U.S. with a homicide rate of 22.9 per 100,000 people, and Missouri, which ranks second, with a homicide rate of 18 per 100,000 people. In contrast, New Hampshire had a murder rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people – making it one of the safest states for homicides in 2019.
Homicide Rate by State
# | State | Homicide Rate | Number of Homicides |
---|---|---|---|
1 | District of Columbia | 49.2 per 100k | 339 |
2 | Louisiana | 22.9 per 100k | 1,065 |
3 | Missouri | 18 per 100k | 1,108 |
4 | South Carolina | 17.4 per 100k | 891 |
5 | Arkansas | 16.1 per 100k | 484 |
6 | Tennessee | 14 per 100k | 970 |
7 | Alaska | 12.3 per 100k | 90 |
8 | Maryland | 11.9 per 100k | 738 |
9 | Oklahoma | 11.9 per 100k | 471 |
10 | Mississippi | 11.8 per 100k | 350 |
11 | North Carolina | 11.4 per 100k | 1,192 |
12 | Arizona | 11.3 per 100k | 805 |
13 | Michigan | 10.6 per 100k | 1,067 |
14 | Kentucky | 10.3 per 100k | 464 |
15 | Texas | 10.3 per 100k | 2,993 |
16 | Virginia | 10 per 100k | 863 |
17 | Delaware | 9.9 per 100k | 98 |
18 | Nevada | 9.9 per 100k | 308 |
19 | Florida | 9.7 per 100k | 2,087 |
20 | Indiana | 9.7 per 100k | 656 |
21 | Ohio | 9.2 per 100k | 1,089 |
22 | New Mexico | 9.1 per 100k | 193 |
23 | West Virginia | 9 per 100k | 162 |
24 | Illinois | 8.9 per 100k | 1,137 |
25 | Montana | 8.9 per 100k | 96 |
26 | California | 8.8 per 100k | 3,498 |
27 | Colorado | 8.5 per 100k | 488 |
28 | Wisconsin | 8.5 per 100k | 499 |
29 | Georgia | 7.8 per 100k | 834 |
30 | North Dakota | 7.6 per 100k | 59 |
31 | South Dakota | 7 per 100k | 62 |
32 | Alabama | 6.5 per 100k | 325 |
33 | Nebraska | 6.5 per 100k | 127 |
34 | Connecticut | 6.1 per 100k | 220 |
35 | Washington | 6.1 per 100k | 472 |
36 | Minnesota | 5.7 per 100k | 323 |
37 | Iowa | 5.4 per 100k | 172 |
38 | New Jersey | 5.4 per 100k | 497 |
39 | New York | 5.4 per 100k | 1,087 |
40 | Kansas | 4.9 per 100k | 143 |
41 | Wyoming | 4.7 per 100k | 27 |
42 | Hawaii | 4.5 per 100k | 65 |
43 | Utah | 4.5 per 100k | 147 |
44 | Oregon | 4.4 per 100k | 188 |
45 | Rhode Island | 4.2 per 100k | 46 |
46 | Idaho | 3.7 per 100k | 68 |
47 | Vermont | 3.7 per 100k | 24 |
48 | Massachusetts | 3.3 per 100k | 230 |
49 | Pennsylvania | 3.3 per 100k | 433 |
50 | Maine | 2.9 per 100k | 39 |
51 | New Hampshire | 1.5 per 100k | 20 |
Murder Rate in America
The murder rate in the US is a statistic that is far higher than other industrialized nations. The disparity between states is even more extreme; Louisiana’s murder rate, for example, stands at 22.9 per 100,000, more than four times that of the national average. This alarming trend can be attributed to many causes like poverty levels, access to guns and firearms and gang violence which tend to vary from state to state and city to city. For instance, Louisiana has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the country as well as high poverty levels which could help explain why its murder rate is so much higher compared to other states. Additionally, areas with gang activity are often plagued by homicide regardless of economic status or access to weapons as turf wars and retaliatory violence occur regularly among rival groups.
States with Highest Murder Rates
The states with the highest murder rates in the United States are Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alaska, Maryland, Oklahoma, Mississippi and North Carolina, but it is the District of Columbia that has the highest murder rate in the US, with a rate of 49.2 murder per 100,000 people. The state with the highest murder rate is Louisiana with a homicide rate of 22.9 per 100,000 people. The second state with the highest murder rate in the US is Missouri, with a murder rate of 18 murders per 100,000. The third state with the most murders is South Carolina, at 17.4 homicides per 100,000, while Arkansas comes as the fourth state with the highest murder rate, with a rate of 16.1. The fifth and sixth states with the highest murder rates are Tennessee, at 14, and Alaska, at 12.3. Maryland and Oklahoma both have a murder rate of 11.9, making them the seventh and eighth states with the most murders. Finally, the ninth and tenth states with the highest murder rates are Mississippi, with a murder rate of 11.8, and North Carolina, at 11.4 murders per 100,000 people.
Most Murders by State
1. Louisiana – 22.9
2. Missouri – 18
3. South Carolina – 17.4
4. Arkansas – 16.1
5. Tennessee – 14
6. Alaska – 12.3
7. Maryland – 11.9
8. Oklahoma – 11.9
9. Mississippi – 11.8
10. North Carolina – 11.4
State with the Highest Murder Rate
Louisiana is currently the state with the highest murder rate in the US, with a rate that stands at 22.9 homicides per 100,000 people. This puts Louisiana at more than double the overall national average and far above other states in terms of homicide rates. In fact, New Orleans – the largest city in Louisiana – falls within the top 10 most dangerous cities in the US and leads all other cities in terms of violence-related deaths per capita. To make matters worse, many programs dedicated to preventing crime have been defunded or cut significantly due to financial constraints making it even more difficult to reduce gun violence and homicide rates in Louisiana.
Highest Murder Rate in US
The District of Columbia has the highest murder rate in America, at 49.2 murders per 100,000 people. This is a startlingly high rate compared to other cities and states throughout the country. The number of homicides in DC rose by 83% between 2013 and 2018, making it even more apparent that something needs to be done to make the streets safer. There are many different potential causes for this jump in crime, including poverty, inequality, gang activity, and availability of firearms. Unfortunately, due to its unique status as a federal district rather than a state, the District of Columbia has limited power when it comes to formulating its own laws or implementing specific measures that could combat crime.
States with Lowest Murder Rates
The states with the lowest murder rates in the US are New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, Hawaii, and Utah. The lowest murder rate in the US is New Hampshire, with a murder rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people. The second state with the lowest murder rate is Maine, at 2.9 murders per 100,000 people. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania both have murder rates of 3.3 per 100,000 people, making them third and fourth states with the lowest murder rates. Idaho, ranked fifth lowest murder rate in the US, and Vermont, ranked sixth lowest murder rate in the country, both have a murder rate of 3.7 per 100,000. Rhode Island has the seventh lowest murder rate, at 4.2, and Oregon is ranked eighth state with the lowest murder rate, at 4.4. Finally, both Hawaii and Utah have a murder rate of 4.5 homicides per 100,000 people, making them the ninth and tenth states with the lowest murder rates in the US.
Lowest Murder Rates in the US
1. New Hampshire – 1.5
2. Maine – 2.9
3. Massachusetts – 3.3
4. Pennsylvania – 3.3
5. Idaho – 3.7
6. Vermont – 3.7
7. Rhode Island – 4.2
8. Oregon – 4.4
9. Hawaii – 4.5
10. Utah – 4.5
Lowest Murder Rate in the US
New Hampshire has the lowest murder rate in the United States, with only 1.5 homicides per 100,000 people. This impressive statistic shows that New Hampshire is a safe place to live and work, and offers its citizens peace of mind in comparison to other states with higher homicide rates. Beyond just low murder rates, New Hampshire has a crime rate below the national average too; this means that property crimes and violent offenses are also lower than average. In addition, the state’s law enforcement activities have been more successful in preventing homicides, such as their focus on controlling guns and providing assistance for families in crisis. This proactive approach to crime prevention has allowed New Hampshire to maintain its low murder rate despite an increase in population over the years.
Murder Rate by State
Alabama
Homicide Rate
6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
Ranked in the US
#28
Alabama has seen a steady increase in its murder rate over the past decade, with 6.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants making it the thirty-second state with the highest rates of murder. Much of this violence can be attributed to gang activity and drug-related crime, which disproportionately affects those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Measures are being taken by local law enforcement agencies to reduce violence in these areas; police crackdowns on gangs have increased significantly over recent years in addition to initiatives such as community policing and outreach programs targeting vulnerable members of society.
Alaska
Homicide Rate
12.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
Ranked in the US
#42
Alaska has a higher-than-average murder rate compared to the rest of the United States, standing at 12.3 per 100,000 citizens. This places Alaska as having the seventh highest murder rate in the country. Alaska's crime rates have seen an especially marked uptick in recent years. The most common cause of homicide in Alaska is firearms. Alcohol abuse is also a major factor driving up the number of homicides annually. In order to combat this alarming trend, lawmakers are focusing on initiatives to reduce gun ownership and decrease substance abuse as key parts of their efforts to lower crime rates in Alaska.
Arizona
Homicide Rate
11.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
Ranked in the US
#15
Arkansas
Homicide Rate
16.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
Ranked in the US
#21
California
Homicide Rate
8.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
3,498
Ranked in the US
#1
Colorado
Homicide Rate
8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
Ranked in the US
#20
Connecticut
Homicide Rate
6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
Ranked in the US
#32
Delaware
Homicide Rate
9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
Ranked in the US
#40
District of Columbia
Homicide Rate
49.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#1
Ranked in the US
#27
Florida
Homicide Rate
9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
2,087
Ranked in the US
#3
The murder rate in Florida is 9.7 per 100,000 population which ranks the state nineteen in the country for highest rates of homicide. According to recent data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Report, violent crime in Florida has been on a downward trend since 2015. However, Florida has one of the highest numbers of gun deaths in the country with 3,041 deaths.
Georgia
Homicide Rate
7.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
Ranked in the US
#14
Hawaii
Homicide Rate
4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Ranked in the US
#44
Idaho
Homicide Rate
3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
Ranked in the US
#43
Illinois
Homicide Rate
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
1,137
Ranked in the US
#5
Indiana
Homicide Rate
9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
Ranked in the US
#17
Iowa
Homicide Rate
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
Ranked in the US
#35
Kansas
Homicide Rate
4.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
Ranked in the US
#38
Kentucky
Homicide Rate
10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
Ranked in the US
#24
Louisiana
Homicide Rate
22.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
1,065
Ranked in the US
#10
Louisiana's murder rate of 22.9 per 100,000 is the second highest in the nation. Government officials have cited a lack of economic opportunity and an abundance of guns as being major contributing factors to this high rate of crime. Studies also suggest that poverty and underfunded education systems play a role in the prevalence of violent crime in Louisiana. In addition, there has been a recent increase in gang activity throughout the state which has been linked to an increase in violence, including homicides. To help combat these issues, state and local governments are investing more resources into improving economic opportunities for residents, increasing access to mental health services and addiction treatment centers, and expanding gun control legislation.
Maine
Homicide Rate
2.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#50
Ranked in the US
#48
Maryland
Homicide Rate
11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
Ranked in the US
#16
Massachusetts
Homicide Rate
3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#48
Ranked in the US
#31
Michigan
Homicide Rate
10.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
1,067
Ranked in the US
#9
Minnesota
Homicide Rate
5.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
Ranked in the US
#29
Mississippi
Homicide Rate
11.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
Ranked in the US
#26
Mississippi has a murder rate of 11.8 per 100,000 people, placing Mississippi tenth in the country for the highest number of homicides per capita. The state's total number of homicides was 350. These violent crimes are largely concentrated in urban areas, with Jackson and Gulfport leading the way with the highest incidences of murder. To help combat this issue, Mississippi legislators have passed a series of laws aimed at curbing violent crime and increasing penalties for those convicted.
Missouri
Homicide Rate
18 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
1,108
Ranked in the US
#6
Montana
Homicide Rate
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
Ranked in the US
#41
Nebraska
Homicide Rate
6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
Ranked in the US
#39
Nevada
Homicide Rate
9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
Ranked in the US
#30
New Hampshire
Homicide Rate
1.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#51
Ranked in the US
#51
New Jersey
Homicide Rate
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
Ranked in the US
#19
New Mexico
Homicide Rate
9.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
Ranked in the US
#33
New York
Homicide Rate
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
1,087
Ranked in the US
#8
North Carolina
Homicide Rate
11.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
1,192
Ranked in the US
#4
North Dakota
Homicide Rate
7.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
Ranked in the US
#46
Ohio
Homicide Rate
9.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
1,089
Ranked in the US
#7
Oklahoma
Homicide Rate
11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
Ranked in the US
#23
Oregon
Homicide Rate
4.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
Ranked in the US
#34
Pennsylvania
Homicide Rate
3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#49
Ranked in the US
#25
Rhode Island
Homicide Rate
4.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
Ranked in the US
#47
South Carolina
Homicide Rate
17.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#4
Ranked in the US
#12
South Dakota
Homicide Rate
7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
Ranked in the US
#45
Tennessee
Homicide Rate
14 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
Ranked in the US
#11
Texas
Homicide Rate
10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
2,993
Ranked in the US
#2
The murder rate in Texas is 10.3 per 100,000 people, ranking the state fifteenth in the country. Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in reported murders in the state. Texas also ranks second in the United States for the total number of homicides at 2,993. The state ranks first for the total number of gun deaths at 4,164.
Utah
Homicide Rate
4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
Ranked in the US
#37
Vermont
Homicide Rate
3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#47
Ranked in the US
#50
Virginia
Homicide Rate
10 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
Ranked in the US
#13
Washington
Homicide Rate
6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
Ranked in the US
#22
West Virginia
Homicide Rate
9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
Ranked in the US
#36
Wisconsin
Homicide Rate
8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
Ranked in the US
#18
Wyoming
Homicide Rate
4.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
Ranked in the US
#49
Wyoming has one of the lowest murder rates in the country, with a rate of 4.7 homicides per 100,000 people. This puts it forty-first in the national rankings, far below its neighboring states of Montana and Colorado. Wyoming’s murder rate is also much lower than the U.S. average. In terms of gun-related homicides, Wyoming also has a significantly lower rate than other states, with 154 gun deaths. This trend is likely due to the state's strict gun control laws and its low population density which limits access to firearms and violent crime in general.
FAQs
Which state has the highest murder rate?
The state with the highest murder rate in the United States is Louisiana at 22.9 murders per 100,000 people.
What is the highest murder rate in the US ?
The District of Columbia has the highest murder rate in the US, at a murder rate of 49.2 – a murder rate twice as high as Louisiana’s, i.e. the state with the highest murder rate in the US.
What are the top 10 states with the highest murder rates?
The top 10 states with the highest murder rates are Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alaska, Maryland, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
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