20 Most Dangerous States for 2009
-
Alex Brandon, AP
Better Lock Your Doors!
The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 20 states were ranked as the most dangerous for 2009.
States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.
Click through our gallery and see if your state made the list.
First Up: The No. 1 Most Dangerous -
David McNew, Getty Images
No. 1: Nevada
For the sixth consecutive year, Nevada tops the rankings as the nation's Most Dangerous State.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 8
Burglary: 8
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 1
Rape: 7
Robbery: 1
Next: No. 2 Most Dangerous -
Norman Ng, Kansas City Star / MCT
No. 2: Louisiana
In 2007, Louisiana was only the 10th most dangerous state. In 2008, it climbed to No. 2 and this year it stays there. It has the highest murder rate of any state.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 2
Burglary: 3
Murder: 1
Motor Vehicle Theft: 17
Rape: 24
Robbery: 18
Next: No. 3 Most Dangerous -
Rich Glickstein, The State | MCT
No. 3: South Carolina
Whatever happened to Southern hospitality? Sunny South Carolina is charged with the highest assault problem in the Most Dangerous States list
Rankings in Crime (out of 50)
Assault: 1
Burglary: 4
Murder: 5
Motor Vehicle Theft: 14
Rape: 10
Robbery: 17
Next: No. 5 Most Dangerous -
Steve Northup, Time Life Pictures | Getty Images
No. 4: New Mexico
New Mexico's coiffed tourist image of open desert spaces, Earth-conscious living and colorful hot-air balloons belie a serious crime problem in this border state.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 5
Burglary: 9
Murder: 4
Motor Vehicle Theft: 7
Rape: 2
Robbery: 22
Next: No. 5 Most Dangerous -
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel / MCT
No. 5: Florida
Oh, Florida! While you were the 9th most dangerous state last year, you jumped all the way to the 5th most dangerous for 2009.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 6
Burglary: 6
Murder: 12
Motor Vehicle Theft: 11
Rape: 20
Robbery: 3
Next: No. 6 Most Dangerous -
Landon Nordeman, Getty Images
No. 6: Tennessee
Tennessee residents might sing about love for country and neighbor, but lag behind in showing it. The state earns the No. 3 slot for most assaults.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 3
Burglary: 5
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 18
Rape: 17
Robbery: 8
Next: No. 7 Most Dangerous -
Tom Davis, The Record / MCT
No. 7: Alaska
Alaska is plagued with having the highest number of rape cases. There could be a correlation with alcohol abuse, also known to plague the state.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 4
Burglary: 34
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 16
Rape: 1
Robbery: 34
Next: No. 8 Most Dangerous -
AP
No. 8: Arizona
Things are looking brighter in Arizona! Last year it made the top five most dangerous states, now it's down a few notches at No. 8.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 19
Burglary: 14
Murder: 8
Motor Vehicle Theft: 2
Rape: 32
Robbery: 14
Next: No. 9 Most Dangerous -
Hector Mata, Getty Images
No. 9: Maryland
Hugging the nation's high-crime capital, struggling to revitalize Baltimore and growing its gambling industry, Maryland has the second-highest murder and robbery rate.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 9
Burglary: 23
Murder: 2
Motor Vehicle Theft: 6
Rape: 45
Robbery: 2
Next: No. 10 Most Dangerous -
Romain Blanquart, Detroit Free Press / MCT
No. 10: Michigan
Michigan is home to two of the most dangerous cities in America, according to the 2008 CQ Press city rankings. Detroit ranks third and Flint ranks sixth.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 12
Burglary: 17
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9
Rape: 3
Robbery: 19
Next: No. 11 Most Dangerous -
Getty Images
No. 11: Arkansas
The home to former President Bill Clinton holds steady, after rising in the rankings for five years in a row. Arkansas ranks in the top 10 of four of the six crime categories.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 10
Burglary: 2
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 33
Rape: 4
Robbery: 24
Next: No. 12 Most Dangerous -
Davis Turner, Getty Images
No. 12: Georgia
Georgia makes the most shocking move on this year's list -- rising a full 7 spots up the ranking. Be careful Georgia, or soon you'll be in the top ten!
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 21
Burglary: 12
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 8
Rape: 42
Robbery: 6
Next: No. 13 Most Dangerous -
Gary Tramontina, Getty Images
No. 13: Alabama
Seems in Alabama, they get serious fast. While only ranking 22nd for assault, they rank No. 3 for murder.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 22
Burglary: 7
Murder: 3
Motor Vehicle Theft: 24
Rape: 22
Robbery: 11
Next: No. 14 Most Dangerous -
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
No. 14: California
California has seen a slight improvement in safety from last year's, thanks to a much lower rank in the murder rate category.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 17
Burglary: 25
Murder: 17
Motor Vehicle Theft: 3
Rape: 40
Robbery: 5
Next: No. 15 Most Dangerous -
Dave Einsel, Getty Images
No. 15: Texas
The home of former President George Bush ranked in the top 10 Most Dangerous States as recently as 2004 but has steadily improved since.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 16
Burglary: 11
Murder: 19
Motor Vehicle Theft: 12
Rape: 17
Robbery: 9
Next: No. 16 Most Dangerous -
Brad Loper, Dallas Morning News / MCT
No. 16: Oklahoma
Oklahoma stays out of the top ten for all crime categories, except rape -- where it comes in at No. 6.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 11
Burglary: 13
Murder: 18
Motor Vehicle Theft: 15
Rape: 6
Robbery: 31
Next: No. 17 Most Dangerous -
Pat Crowe II, AP
No. 17: Delaware
The First State had taken a sharp rise up the list as it moved from 24th in 2006, to 18th in 2007 and 12th in 2008. Delaware residents will be happy to know it's fallen back down the list again.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 7
Burglary: 20
Murder: 27
Motor Vehicle Theft: 28
Rape: 11
Robbery: 4
Next: No. 18 Most Dangerous -
Police Chief
No. 18: North Carolina
North Carolina may not be anywhere near the top in 5 of the 6 crime categories. But, they take the numero uno spot when it comes to burglaries.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 20
Burglary: 1
Murder: 13
Motor Vehicle Theft: 21
Rape: 36
Robbery: 15
Next: No. 19 Most Dangerous -
David Eulitt, Kansas City Star/ MCT
No. 19: Missouri
Missouri makes the top ten in one crime category -- motor vehicle theft.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 13
Burglary: 19
Murder: 13
Motor Vehicle Theft: 10
Rape: 33
Robbery: 21
Next: No. 20 Most Dangerous -
Scott Olson, Getty Images
No. 20: Illinois
Illinois might be able to get out of the top 20, if they could improve their ranking for robberies.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 15
Burglary: 29
Murder: 19
Motor Vehicle Theft: 29
Rape: 26
Robbery: 7
· More on CQ Press's Ranking
Next: Most Dangerous Cities -
Mark Duncan, AP
Most Dangerous Cities in U.S.
Want to dig deeper? You've seen the most dangerous states in America for 2009, now check out which cities CQ Press ranked as the most dangerous and safest in 2008.
· See Next Gallery: Most Dangerous Cities
Next: America's Safest Cities -
Cary, NC (www.townofcary.org)
Safest Cities in America
California, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Massachusetts all have cities that made it into the the top 10 list of safest American cities.
· See Next Gallery: America's Safest Cities
Next: More on WalletPop -
Most Popular Features
Check out some of the most popular features on WalletPop:
Insurance
- Car Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Home Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Life Insurance Calculators
- Insurance Blog Posts
PERSONAL FINANCE
- Bargains
- Banking
- Budgets
- Calculators
- College Finance
- Community
- Credit
- Debt
- Economizer
- Fraud
- Insurance
- Loans
- Mortgages
- Recalls
- Recession
- Retirement
- Saving
- Simplification
- Specials
- Taxes
FROM THE BLOG
- Ask WalletPop
- Consumer Complaints
- Daily Deal
- Fantastic Freebies
- Kids and Money
- Relationships
- Ripoffs and Scams
- Sex Sells
- Simplification
- The Dolans
INVESTING
- Stock Quotes
- Stock Charts
- Stock Ticker
- Portfolio
- Stock Screener
- Broker Center
- Mutual Fund Center
- ETF Center
- Money
- 24/7 Wall St.
- Financial Glossary
SMALL BUSINESS
Our Most Popular Features
Recent Comments
Lbj033 03:46:12 PM Mar 25 2009
THE POLL MISSED THE WORST STATES AND THEY ARE NY AND CALIFORNIA--KNOWN FOR THE MURDER SPREES AND PERVERSION
Aduran91017 08:27:18 AM Mar 25 2009
I think people from the hood or ghetto need to stop glorifying their way of life. Stop complaining about not having nothing. Go to school and get yourself out of there. Study hard, if not work hard. They want to easy route and think its cool selling drugs knowing they're gonna go to jail or be arrested. What a bunch of ignorant fools. There's people from the hood that made it out. It can be done. Don't follow the rest of the crowd just because they got the new jordans or a nice ride. All that material stuff doesn't mean anything. Oh yeah and get your family members off the system and encourage them to work. I can't stand seeing people who's been getting assistance and food stamps for lots of years. Now go out there and get your education.
Abigfrd11 04:32:49 AM Mar 25 2009
I hate the thieves. We are living a bad time. We come across the full-blown financial crisis, but there are still so many thieves. What a pity.How can we do? to die, or to find a wife or husband?That's important, seek bi com can help us solve this trouble
H9Stephan 01:20:31 AM Mar 24 2009
Wow liberal reporting equals a car from minnesota could never ever be in missouri for any reason like a road trip at all. And wow my state is 7th, not suprised.
Secondstump 12:47:14 AM Mar 24 2009
gotta love aol and their liberal reporting. The picture for MIssouri shows car licence plates from Minnesota. Like this story is one to actually believe.
LILROSS 2k5 09:55:22 PM Mar 23 2009
louisiana native here...and yes, the evening news seems strange if there isn't a murder or two every day. between that and the fact that bobby jindal is an idiot, no wonder no one wants to stay here. and let's not get into the katrina incident.
Jfourthgirl 09:45:11 PM Mar 23 2009
What i want to know is why my state is number 1, while other states like Louisiana and South Carolina is no. 2 and 3 on the list. No offense but this list is bullshit.
Jfourthgirl 09:34:13 PM Mar 23 2009
Hitler did kill blacks,European blacks and I did my survey on the U.S. prisons
Krazaygrl57 09:00:18 PM Mar 23 2009
recall black men could vote before white women so techinally if your a black man in this country you have had rights before I did! I'm sorry that there are still ignorant people in this country but that's never going to change there will always be hate and rascism because there are people who don't understand. I've been called a honkey and a cracker by several black people and muslims but I don't use it against anybody! African Americans aren't forced to live in the ghetto...you can get a scholoship to any college just for being a minority it's just whether or not you choose to change your situation. There a MANY successful african americans in this country that had terrible living conditions. Everybody has a choice to change whatever is making them unhappy and it's not my fault if you'd rather sit and complain about your situation instead of changing it!
Krazaygrl57 08:44:21 PM Mar 23 2009
I agree that slavery was ridiculous and cruel! Anybody that doesn't is iggnorant! There are a couple things that u also need to point out though...number 1 Africans sold Africans to white people...we didn't steal you your own ancestors sold you to us...and i'm not saying that by us buying Africans we were right...it sounds terrible to even refer to a person as being bought but what i am trying to get across is that we weren't the only guilty ones! 2nd I had nothing to do with slavery and none of my ancestors did! Slavery did not happen to you or anybody in your immediate family it is just another unfortunate part of this countrys history! There is nothing that you or anybody else can do to change it so why dwell on the fact that it happened! You should be thankful that this country and all of it's intelligent people regardless of race don't tolerate that crap anymore! I'm sorry that there are some white people out there that are ignorant still but i shouldn't be blamed for it! 3rd if i
He's So Cheap ...
Is there someone you know who is such a tightwad that you can't believe what they'll do to save a dime?
Insurance Basics
Car insurance fraud rises in bad economy
Just as foreclosures and deed in lieu transactions are rising, an increasing number of Americans are also abandoning luxury cars they can no longer afford.But some people are adding a creative twist:...
Employee healthcare plans are dropping dead fast
It's going to be a while before (and if) the Obama Administration can put its healthcare-for-all plan in place, but I wonder if any employers will still be offering healthcare plans by that time. A...
Dentists are smiling, even in the recession
Dentistry appears to be one profession that the recession might not bite. The 17 % average profit margin of dentists' offices was higher than that of any other industry in 2008, according to...
Eight tips on saving money on boat insurance
The weather may not suggest it at the moment, but the time is near where those of us who love to get out on the water will be getting our boats in tiptop shape for the season. Now would be a good time...
| Type | Current | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Yr Fixed Mtg | 5.09% | 5.25% |
| 5/1 ARM | 4.78% | 4.67% |
| $30K HELOC | 5.15% | 0.00% |
| 36 Month New Car Loan | 6.85% | 0.00% |
| 1 Yr CD | 2.02% | 2.04% |
Interest Rates Provided by Bankrate.com
Compare Rates in Your AreaAsk Me About Insurance
Jonathan Berr
Do you have a question about insurance? Ask our insurance expert Jonathan Berr.
Insurance Talk
Insurance stories and tips from our readers.