Every year the FBI compiles a giant collection of data on crime in America. Local precincts report everything from violent crimes to rape to art thefts.
And in a stroke of good news, the most recent report shows that violent crime last year was at a five-year low.
The FBI defines violent crime as murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
We've rounded up the most dangerous cities in America based on the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people reported for each city. We only considered cities with 100,000 residents or more.
1. Flint, Mich.
The city also reported 83 forcible rapes per 100,000 people. The national average is 26.8 forcible rapes per 100,000 people.
Photo © Camilo José Vergara2. Detroit, Mich.Detroit reported 2,137 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The city also reported 48.2 murders per 100,000 people. The national average is 4.7 murders per 100,000 people.
3. St. Louis, Mo.
St. Louis reported 1,857 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The city also reported 58.7 forcible rapes per 100,000 people. The national average is 26.8 forcible rapes per 100,000 people.
4. Oakland, Calif.
Oakland reported 1,683 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The city also reported 26.3 murders per 100,000 people. The national average is 4.7 murders per 100,000 people.
cwwycoff1 via flickr5. Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis reported 1,584 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The city also reported 61 forcible rapes per 100,000 people. The national average is 26.8 forcible rapes per 100,000 people.
*Source: Crime in the United States 2011
