Highlights
An examination of violent and property crime trends in Memphis alongside other cities facing high crime rates.
Crime in America.Net-Insights powered by ChatGPT review the “Top 10 Sources for Crime in America,” relying on primary statistical data and reputable secondary analyses.
Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
A veteran in crime prevention and statistics analysis, with a history that includes serving as a Senior Specialist for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse and directing National Crime Prevention Council’s Information Services. Mr. Sipes has a rich background as both a police officer and a federal spokesperson. His experience spans advising on presidential campaigns and launching several successful media initiatives aimed at crime reduction.
A scholar in criminology and public affairs at the University of Maryland, with over thirty-five years of reputable public relations achievements, he has been a familiar face addressing national outlets on crime statistics, fostering a unique proactive communication style within government.
He holds a Certificate of Advanced Study from Johns Hopkins University and is the author of “Success With The Media,” available at various retailers.
Crime in America.Net – “Your Clear Source for Trustworthy Crime Data.”
Quoted by major news agencies and publications including The Associated Press, USA Today, and many others, reinforcing its authority in the domain of crime statistics.
For a holistic view of crime trends in recent years, visit Violent and Property Crime Rates In The U.S..
Article
In a recent statement, President Trump declared that Memphis, TN will be the next city to receive support in the form of National Guard Troops and federal agents, aiming to tackle rising crime concerns.
In response to a reader’s request for updated crime statistics for Memphis and similar cities, here’s what the latest data reveals.
Associated Press-Memphis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Associated Press) — On Friday, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, supported by local officials, marking a continued trend in military presence within urban American settings. This move has sparked discussions about the boundaries of executive power as local leaders voice their apprehensions.
While speaking on Fox News, Trump claimed, “the mayor is supportive,” and “the governor is on board” with the decision to bring in troops. He noted, “The city is facing serious challenges,” promising that this intervention would mirror successful strategies employed in Washington.
Moreover, Trump hinted at the possibility of a similar military presence in New Orleans, highlighting his strategy to focus on Democratic-led cities in predominantly Republican states.
Is Crime Decreasing in Memphis, Yet Troops Are on Standby?
Interestingly, this announcement coincides with Memphis police reporting a decrease in major crime categories during the first eight months of 2025 compared to previous years, with overall crime at a 25-year low and homicides at a six-year low.
When questioned about local and state officials requesting National Guard support, the White House remained silent on the matter, leaving the timeline and specifics of federal law enforcement increase unclear.
Trump also mentioned he would have preferred deploying troops to Chicago, citing the local government’s strong resistance and the perception of “professional agitators” in the area.
Reuters
Reuters reports that Trump has allocated 1,000 Louisiana National Guard troops for law enforcement operations in urban centers across the state.
Top Ten Cities for Violent Crime
To address the inquiry about crime statistics, I leveraged ChatGPT to synthesize the top ten list for violent crime based on the latest FBI data from 2024, alongside comparisons from 2023.
Warning
Multiple sources exist for ranking the most dangerous or violent cities in the U.S., making it common for discrepancies among listings. Factors influencing these rankings include income levels, poverty data, city size, and specific crime types categorized, amongst others.
For a more comprehensive look, check out “Most Dangerous Cities.”
The Unseen Majority: Crimes That Go Unreported
It’s critical to recognize that the vast majority of crime goes unreported; approximately 38 percent of urban violent crimes are acknowledged by law enforcement.
This also connects to the National Crime Victimization Survey, which has shown unprecedented high rates of violence over the latest reporting periods. Consequently, any overview regarding crime statistics must consider this significant underreporting factor.
What’s on the Horizon for 2024 and 2023
The forthcoming section outlines FBI data for reported criminal activity rates for 2024, along with incorporated CDC data for homicides for 2023.
Top 10 U.S. Cities by Homicide Rate (2024) — Data from ChatGPT, via the FBI
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Jackson, MS — ~ 77.0
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Birmingham, AL — ~ 59.0
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St. Louis, MO — ~ 54.4
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Memphis, TN — ~ 52.0
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Baltimore, MD — ~ 34.8
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New Orleans, LA — ~ 34.7
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Detroit, MI — ~ 32.1
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Cleveland, OH — ~ 31.0
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Richmond, VA – 23.0
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Indianapolis, IN – 23.8
Top 10 U.S. Cities by Violent Crime Rate (2024) — Data from ChatGPT, via the FBI
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Memphis, TN — ~ 2,300
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St. Louis, MO — ~ 1,950
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Baltimore, MD — ~ 1,850
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Detroit, MI — ~ 1,800
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New Orleans, LA — ~ 1,750
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Cleveland, OH — ~ 1,700
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Birmingham, AL — ~ 1,650
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Oakland, CA — ~ 1,550
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Kansas City, MO — ~ 1,500
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Indianapolis, IN — ~ 1,450
Top 10 U.S. Cities by Overall Reported Crime Rate (2024) (Violent + Property Crime) — Data from ChatGPT, via the FBI
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Memphis, TN — ~ 6,800
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St. Louis, MO — ~ 6,400
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Detroit, MI — ~ 6,300
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Baltimore, MD — ~ 6,100
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New Orleans, LA — ~ 6,000
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Cleveland, OH — ~ 5,900
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Milwaukee, WI — ~ 5,800
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Oakland, CA — ~ 5,600
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Albuquerque, NM — ~ 5,500
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San Francisco, CA — ~ 5,400
Crime Statistics for the Top 10 U.S. Cities by Homicide Rate (per 100,000 residents) as Per ChatGPT Data (2023) — Reports by the FBI
(Data sourced from the most recent compiled year: 2023–2024, utilizing FBI and CDC statistics; city-proper)
- New Orleans, LA – ~70 per 100k (2023)
- Memphis, TN – ~60 per 100k (2023)
- St. Louis, MO – ~59 per 100k (2023)
- Baltimore, MD – ~56 per 100k (2023)
- Detroit, MI – ~47 per 100k (2023)
- Birmingham, AL – ~45 per 100k (2023)
- Jackson, MS – ~44 per 100k (2023)
- Cleveland, OH – ~42 per 100k (2023)
- Washington, D.C. – ~41 per 100k (2023)
- Richmond, VA – ~39 per 100k (2023)
Top 10 U.S. Cities by Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents) as Per ChatGPT Data (2023) — Reports by the FBI
(This figure includes homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault; based on FBI data for 2023–2024)
- Memphis, TN – ~2,300 per 100k (2023)
- St. Louis, MO – ~1,950 per 100k (2023)
- Baltimore, MD – ~1,900 per 100k (2023)
- Detroit, MI – ~1,850 per 100k (2023)
- New Orleans, LA – ~1,750 per 100k (2023)
- Cleveland, OH – ~1,700 per 100k (2023)
- Birmingham, AL – ~1,650 per 100k (2023)
- Oakland, CA – ~1,600 per 100k (2023)
- Kansas City, MO – ~1,550 per 100k (2023)
- Indianapolis, IN – ~1,500 per 100k (2023)
Top 10 U.S. Cities by Overall Reported Crime Rate (Violent + Property) as Per ChatGPT Data (2023) — Reports by the FBI
(This data compiles FBI crime reports; understand that elevated rates can often stem from property crime, notably theft and auto theft)
- Memphis, TN – ~6,800 per 100k (2023)
- St. Louis, MO – ~6,500 per 100k (2023)
- Detroit, MI – ~6,400 per 100k (2023)
- Baltimore, MD – ~6,200 per 100k (2023)
- New Orleans, LA – ~6,100 per 100k (2023)
- Cleveland, OH – ~6,000 per 100k (2023)
- Milwaukee, WI – ~5,800 per 100k (2023)
- Oakland, CA – ~5,700 per 100k (2023)
- Albuquerque, NM – ~5,600 per 100k (2023)
- San Francisco, CA – ~5,500 per 100k (2023)
Understanding Reported Crime Data – Conclusions
Recent studies from the Bureau of Justice Statistics illustrate that a significant proportion of crime, especially in urban regions, goes unreported. Only about 38 percent of violent crimes are communicated to law enforcement, highlighting a substantial gap in the data we often rely upon to gauge safety and security.
This survey also noted that whereas crime rates may appear to trend downward, the real picture may lack clarity due to such large amounts of unreported incidents and the particularities of crime definitions used by different agencies.
Furthermore, it’s vital to contrast the reported crime rates across various indices since their benchmarks differ significantly, leading to various interpretations of what makes a city “dangerous.” Memphis holds the unfortunate title as the city with both the highest violent crime rates for 2024 and substantial figures for overall crime when assessed properly.
So, while it’s tempting to breathe a sigh of relief with reduced reporting, it’s essential to recognize that a dangerous city with declining crime might still embody a serious issue for its inhabitants. The national fear of crime signals a dissonance that still resonates deeply with the public psyche.
ChatGPT Contributions
ChatGPT played a role in fact-checking and gathering the crime rate data presented in this article.
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See More
Explore additional content on crime and governance at Crime in America.
For insights into the most dangerous cities, visit Most Dangerous Cities.
Find the latest US crime rates at Nationwide Crime Rates.
Examine national offender recidivism statistics at Offender Recidivism.
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