Danger Zones In The
Top 10 Dangerous U.S. Cities.

Every city has its Danger Zones... areas an unsuspecting tourist might wander into but a local knows to avoid.

Your safety and security, and that of your family, demands you check out these danger zones beforehand and steer well clear.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities In The U.S.A.

... based on FBI crime data from 2011.

1. No.1 Flint, Michigan:
   Population: 102,357... (down from 109,245 last year.)
   Violent Crimes: 23.4 per 1,000.
   Murders: 52.
   
   
2. No.2 Detroit, Michigan:
   Population: 713,239.... (down from 899,447 last year.)
   Violent Crimes: 21.4 per 1,000.
   Murders: 344.
   
   
3. No.3 St. Louis, Missouri:
   Population: 320,454... (down from 355,151 last year.)
   Violent Crimes: 18.6 per 1,000.
   Murders: 113.
   
   
4. No.4 Oakland, California:
   Population: 395,317.
   Violent Crimes: 16.8 per 1,000.
   Murders: 104.
   
   
5. No.5 Memphis, Tennessee:
   Population: 652,725... (down from 673,650 last year.)
   Violent Crimes: 15.8 per 1,000.
   Murders: 117.
   
   
6. No.6 Little Rock, Arkansas:
   Population: 194,988.
   Violent Crimes: 14.9 per 1,000.
   Murders: 37.
   
   
7. No.7 Birmingham, Alabama:
   Population: 213,258.
   Violent Crimes: 14.8 per 1,000.
   Murders: 54.
   
   
8. No.8 Atlanta, Georgia:
   Population: 425,533.
   Violent Crimes: 14.3 per 1,000.
   Murders: 88.
   
   
9. No.9 Baltimore, Maryland:
   Population: 626,848.
   Violent Crimes: 14.2 per 1,000.
   Murders: 196.
   
   
10. No.10 Stockton, California:
    Population: 295,136.
    Violent Crimes: 14.1 per 1,000.
    Murders: 58.
    
    

Flint, Detroit, and St. Louis retain the exact same top three positions as last year's Top 10 most dangerous American cities.

Flint, Detroit, St.Louis, and Memphis all experienced falls in their populations from last year... especially Detroit!

Flint and Detroit suffered high unemployment rates close to 20 per cent, while Oakland experienced 15.6%, St. Louis 11.7% and Atlanta 12.1%.

These cities were also badly hurt by falling revenues and the ongoing effects of the Global Financial Crisis which forced them to make large cuts to police budgets. Detroit slashed their police budget by 18% eliminating some 375 positions and closing some police stations from 4pm to 8am. While Flint laid off 1 in 7 of its 140 strong police department.

Not surprisingly, with less police on the beat and with slower crime response times it seems unlikely crime rates here will come down dramatically any time soon.