10 Most Dangerous Cities in America (2012)

Things are improving, but America is still a very violent place. New FBI data shows that violent crime rates are improving, but among cities with the highest crime problems, homicide rates continued to rise last year.

The FBI found that violent crime fell by 4 percent last year, compared with a 5.5 percent drop in 2010.

Nationwide, the murder rate fell 1.9 percent from 2010, and robbery, forcible rape, and assault fell 4 percent each.

24/7 Wall St., though, reveals that violent crime rose in more than 50 percent of the cities that have among the highest rates in the country. In seven of those ten cities, murder rates rose. In eight of the ten, burglary went up.

They’ve compiled the following list of the country’s most dangerous cities. How does your town stack up?

2012 Most Dangerous Cities in America

10. Stockton, Calif.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 14.1
> Population: 295,136
> 2011 murders: 58
> Median income: $45,606
> Unemployment rate: 20.2%

9. Baltimore, Md.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 14.2
> Population: 626,848
> 2011 murders: 196
> Median income: $38,346
> Unemployment rate: 10.5%

8. Atlanta, Ga.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 14.3
> Population: 425,533
> 2011 murders: 88
> Median income: $41,631
> Unemployment rate:12.1%

7. Birmingham, Ala.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 14.8
> Population: 213,258
> 2011 murders: 54
> Median income: $30,212
> Unemployment rate: 10.9%

6. Little Rock, Ark.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 14.9
> Population: 194,988
> 2011 murders: 37
> Median income: $44,415
> Unemployment rate: 7.2%

5. Memphis, Tenn.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 15.8
> Population: 652,725
> 2011 murders: 117
> Median income: $37,045
> Unemployment rate: 11.1%

4. Oakland, Calif.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 16.8
> Population: 395,317
> 2011 murders: 104
> Median income: $49,190
> Unemployment rate: 15.6%

3. St. Louis, Mo.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 18.6
> Population: 320,454
> 2011 murders: 113
> Median income: $32,688
> Unemployment rate: 11.7%

2. Detroit, Mich.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 21.4
> Population: 713,239
> 2011 murders: 344
> Median income: $25,787
> Unemployment rate: 19.9%

1. Flint, Mich.
> Violent crimes per 1,000: 23.4
> Population: 102,357
> 2011 murders: 52
> Median income: $22,672
> Unemployment rate: 18.9%

Related articles

• The Most Dangerous Cities In America (247wallst.com)
• Violent Crime Rate Near All Time Low, FBI Says (inquisitr.com)
• The Ten Most Dangerous US Cities to Live in 2012 [SLIDESHOW] (ibtimes.com)