Murder Rate by State

Map

Table

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

#StateHomicide RateNumber of Homicides
1District of Columbia49.2 per 100k339
2Louisiana22.9 per 100k1,065
3Missouri18 per 100k1,108
4South Carolina17.4 per 100k891
5Arkansas16.1 per 100k484
6Tennessee14 per 100k970
7Alaska12.3 per 100k90
8Maryland11.9 per 100k738
9Oklahoma11.9 per 100k471
10Mississippi11.8 per 100k350
11North Carolina11.4 per 100k1,192
12Arizona11.3 per 100k805
13Michigan10.6 per 100k1,067
14Kentucky10.3 per 100k464
15Texas10.3 per 100k2,993
16Virginia10 per 100k863
17Delaware9.9 per 100k98
18Nevada9.9 per 100k308
19Florida9.7 per 100k2,087
20Indiana9.7 per 100k656
21Ohio9.2 per 100k1,089
22New Mexico9.1 per 100k193
23West Virginia9 per 100k162
24Illinois8.9 per 100k1,137
25Montana8.9 per 100k96
26California8.8 per 100k3,498
27Colorado8.5 per 100k488
28Wisconsin8.5 per 100k499
29Georgia7.8 per 100k834
30North Dakota7.6 per 100k59
31South Dakota7 per 100k62
32Alabama6.5 per 100k325
33Nebraska6.5 per 100k127
34Connecticut6.1 per 100k220
35Washington6.1 per 100k472
36Minnesota5.7 per 100k323
37Iowa5.4 per 100k172
38New Jersey5.4 per 100k497
39New York5.4 per 100k1,087
40Kansas4.9 per 100k143
41Wyoming4.7 per 100k27
42Hawaii4.5 per 100k65
43Utah4.5 per 100k147
44Oregon4.4 per 100k188
45Rhode Island4.2 per 100k46
46Idaho3.7 per 100k68
47Vermont3.7 per 100k24
48Massachusetts3.3 per 100k230
49Pennsylvania3.3 per 100k433
50Maine2.9 per 100k39
51New Hampshire1.5 per 100k20

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

See less

do_not_disturb_on

Homicide Rate

help

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Alaska

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Arizona

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

11.3 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#12

Ranked in the US

#15

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Arkansas

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

16.1 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#5

Ranked in the US

#21

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

California

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

8.8 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#26

Ranked in the US

#1

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Colorado

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

8.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#27

Ranked in the US

#20

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Connecticut

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

6.1 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#34

Ranked in the US

#32

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Delaware

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#17

Ranked in the US

#40

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

District of Columbia

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

49.2 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#1

Ranked in the US

#27

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Florida

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#19

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Georgia

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

7.8 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#29

Ranked in the US

#14

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Hawaii

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

4.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#42

Ranked in the US

#44

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Idaho

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

3.7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#46

Ranked in the US

#43

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Illinois

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

8.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#24

Ranked in the US

#5

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Indiana

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#20

Ranked in the US

#17

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Iowa

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

5.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#37

Ranked in the US

#35

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Kansas

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

4.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#40

Ranked in the US

#38

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Kentucky

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

10.3 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#14

Ranked in the US

#24

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Louisiana

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

22.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#2

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Maine

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

2.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#50

Ranked in the US

#48

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Maryland

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

11.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#8

Ranked in the US

#16

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Massachusetts

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

3.3 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#48

Ranked in the US

#31

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Michigan

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

10.6 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#13

Ranked in the US

#9

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Minnesota

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

5.7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#36

Ranked in the US

#29

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Mississippi

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Missouri

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

18 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#3

Ranked in the US

#6

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Montana

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

8.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#25

Ranked in the US

#41

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Nebraska

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

6.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#33

Ranked in the US

#39

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Nevada

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#18

Ranked in the US

#30

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

New Hampshire

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

1.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#51

Ranked in the US

#51

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

New Jersey

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

5.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#38

Ranked in the US

#19

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

New Mexico

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.1 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#22

Ranked in the US

#33

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

New York

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

5.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#39

Ranked in the US

#8

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

North Carolina

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

11.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#11

Ranked in the US

#4

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

North Dakota

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

7.6 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#30

Ranked in the US

#46

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Ohio

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9.2 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#21

Ranked in the US

#7

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Oklahoma

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

11.9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#9

Ranked in the US

#23

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Oregon

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

4.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#44

Ranked in the US

#34

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Pennsylvania

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

3.3 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#49

Ranked in the US

#25

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Rhode Island

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

4.2 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#45

Ranked in the US

#47

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

South Carolina

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

17.4 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#4

Ranked in the US

#12

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

South Dakota

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#31

Ranked in the US

#45

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Tennessee

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

14 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#6

Ranked in the US

#11

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Texas

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

10.3 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#15

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Utah

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

4.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#43

Ranked in the US

#37

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Vermont

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

3.7 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#47

Ranked in the US

#50

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Virginia

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

10 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#16

Ranked in the US

#13

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Washington

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

6.1 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#35

Ranked in the US

#22

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

West Virginia

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

9 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#23

Ranked in the US

#36

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Wisconsin

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

8.5 per 100k

Ranked in the US

#28

Ranked in the US

#18

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

Wyoming

See more

add_circle

Homicide Rate

help

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.

Homicide Rate

Number of Homicides

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.

Need to survey a highly targeted audience?

Talk to our Experts