12 of the Most Dangerous US Cities where Crime is Surging

The Michigan City-LaPorte metro area witnessed an immense increase in the violent crime rate of almost 80 percent between 2011 and 2016. It is the 3rd sharpest surge in any metro area. Unlike many metro areas on this list, Michigan City-LaPorte’s violent crime rate remained somewhat unchanged from 2011 to 2015, only to almost double in 2016!

Nevertheless, the city can still be considered relatively safe since its violent crime rate in 2016 is one of the lowest rates in Indiana and far below that the national violent crime rate.

Half-decade violent crime rate change: +67.3 percent.
Total violent crime rate in 2011: 284 victims.
Total violent crime rate in 2016: 512 victims.
Unemployment rate: 3.7 percent.
Poverty rate: 13.2 percent.

Over the previous 5 years, violent crime rates increased by a whopping 67.3 percent in Gainesville. This is the biggest increase in Georgia and one of the top ones nationwide. Surprisingly, the majority of the increase happened only from 2015 to 2016.

Moreover, there was a slight surge in property crime and the incidence of motor vehicle theft, larceny, and burglary escalated by 3.5 percent from 2011 to 2016.

Half-decade violent crime rate change: +58.7 percent.
Total violent crime rate in 2011: 680 victims.
Total violent crime rate in 2016: 1,115 victims.
Unemployment rate: 3.1 percent.
Poverty rate: 10.6 percent.

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande has experienced a horrifying surge (nearly 59 percent) in violent crime rates between 2011 and 2016. Nevertheless, in 2016, the metro area’s rate of 396 incidents per 100,000 people was only a bit more elevated than the national violent crime rate.

Moreover, the metro area remains a safer place than the majority metro areas in California. Despite the increased violence, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande has actually become less dangerous if we compare the 2014 rate to that of 2016.

Half-decade violent crime rate change: +56.5 percent.
Total violent crime rate in 2011: 146 victims.
Total violent crime rate in 2016: 237 victims.
Unemployment rate: 2.9 percent.
Poverty rate: 10.6 percent.