Based on the latest available FBI data from 2024 and other sources, the following are the 10 U.S. cities with the highest violent crime rates per 100,000 people, focusing on murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These cities have been highlighted in discussions around President Trump's proposed crime crackdown, which has targeted cities like Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, with threats to deploy National Guard troops to others like Chicago, Baltimore, and New York. Note that violent crime has generally declined across the U.S. in recent years, with a 4.5% drop from 2023 to 2024 and a 17% decrease in homicides in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.
1. **Memphis, TN**: 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000. Memphis tops the list with 145 murders in the first eight months of 2024 and a homicide rate of 40.6 per 100,000 last year.
2. **Detroit, MI**: 1,781 violent crimes per 100,000. Detroit had 203 homicides in 2024, the lowest since 1965, down 19% from 2023 and 34% from 2022, with a homicide rate of 31.2 per 100,000.
3. **Baltimore, MD**: 1,606 violent crimes per 100,000. Baltimore recorded a homicide rate of 34.8 per 100,000 in 2024, with homicides down 25% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024.
4. **Houston, TX**: 1,148 violent crimes per 100,000. Houston has the highest violent crime rate among the 10 largest U.S. police departments, surpassing Chicago.
5. **Nashville, TN**: 1,124 violent crimes per 100,000. Nashville reported 104 homicides in 2024, up slightly from the previous year, with crime rates down 10% in 2025.
6. **Denver, CO**: 993 violent crimes per 100,000. Violent crime dropped 7.31% in 2025, with a statewide goal to reduce it by 6% annually.
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7. **Washington, D.C.**: Ranked 7th among large cities for violent crime, with a homicide rate of 27.3 per 100,000 in 2024, down from 39.4 in 2023. Violent crime fell 26% in 2025 compared to 2024, and homicides dropped 19% in the first half of 2025.
8. **Philadelphia, PA**: Approximately 909 violent crimes per 100,000, higher than Chicago’s rate.
9. **Indianapolis, IN**: Included in the top 10 for violent crime rates, though specific figures were not detailed in the sources.
10. **Phoenix, AZ**: Approximately 800 violent crimes per 100,000, also surpassing Chicago.
Context on Trump’s Crackdown: President Trump has focused his crime crackdown on Democratic-run cities, deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, and threatening intervention in cities like Chicago (which ranks 29th among cities with 500,000+ residents, with a 31% homicide drop and 21.6% violent crime reduction in 2025) and Baltimore. Critics argue this targets blue states while ignoring higher-crime cities in red states like Memphis and Houston. Data shows violent crime is down significantly in many targeted cities, and experts question the effectiveness of National Guard deployments, suggesting they may be more about political posturing than addressing crime.
**Note**: Crime data varies by source (e.g., FBI vs. local police), and not all agencies report complete data. Trends should be interpreted cautiously due to reporting differences and revisions.
U.S. Violent Crime in 2024
An Infographic on National Trends and City Hotspots
A National Decline
Recent data reveals a promising trend at the national level. According to FBI analyses for 2024, the overall violent crime rate in the United States has continued its downward trajectory, indicating improvements in public safety across the country.
-4.5%
Estimated Decrease in Violent Crime from 2023
This figure encompasses significant decreases in several key categories, including homicides, robberies, and rapes.
Top 10 Cities by Violent Crime Rate
Despite the national downward trend, several major U.S. cities continue to experience significantly higher rates of violent crime. This chart ranks the top 10 cities based on the number of violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) reported per 100,000 people in 2024.
A Closer Look: Trends in Key Cities
1. Memphis, TN
Memphis continues to hold the highest violent crime rate among major U.S. cities. Its rate of over 2,500 incidents per 100,000 people is substantially higher than other metropolitan areas, presenting an ongoing public safety challenge.
2. Detroit, MI
While Detroit ranks second in overall violent crime, the city has made significant strides in reducing homicides. The 2024 rate marks a continuation of a positive downward trend, reaching its lowest point in over a decade.
37.0
Homicide Rate per 100,000
3. Baltimore, MD
Similar to Detroit, Baltimore has seen a significant decrease in its homicide rate. The 2024 figure represents one of the lowest in recent years, highlighting progress in a city that has historically faced high levels of violence.
35.2
Homicide Rate per 100,000