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10 States That Rank the Worst for Public Safety: Report

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(Photo : Kat Wilcox) Crime Scene Do Not Cross Signage

Each year, the US News and World Report releases an analysis that lists the most unsafe states in the country based on several factors. 

On Thursday, the US News and World Report published the "10 Most Dangerous States in America" list. The publication has been creating these lists since 2017. 

The report analyzed each of the 50 states based on violent and property crime numbers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer. It is important to note that the FBI's data only runs through 2022. 

Nationally, the number of violent crimes in the US fell for the second consecutive year in 2022. Homicide rates also decreased. However, property crime rates increased in 2022 for the first time in two decades, per the FBI's data. 

By state, here are the 10 most dangerous places in the US, according to the analysis.  

10. Missouri

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 488

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,340

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 381

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 73

Overall Best States Ranking: 35

9. California

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 499

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,343

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 250

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 29

Overall Best States Ranking: 37

8. Oregon

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 342

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,935

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 295

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 121

Overall Best States Ranking: 31

7. Alaska

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 759

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 1,789

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 205

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 56

Overall Best States Ranking: 45

6. Tennessee

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 622

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,302

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 334

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 10

Overall Best States Ranking: 27

5. Washington

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 376

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 3,356

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 174

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 38

Overall Best States Ranking: 8

4. Arkansas

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 645

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,452

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 574

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 64

Overall Best States Ranking: 47

3. Colorado

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 492

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 3,148

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 288

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 42

Overall Best States Ranking: 16

2. Louisiana

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 629

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,748

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 596

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 84

Overall Best States Ranking: 50

1. New Mexico

Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 780

Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents): 2,984

Incarceration Rate (per 100,000 residents): 231

Juvenile Incarceration rate (per 100,000 residents): 45

Overall Best States Ranking: 49

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