Top 10 most dangerous cities in Alaska

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Alaska, the largest state in the U.S. by area, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. From the majestic Denali, the highest peak in North America, to the stunning fjords and glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska's natural beauty is unparalleled. The state offers unique experiences such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and viewing the Northern Lights. Despite its scenic wonders, certain urban areas in Alaska face significant safety challenges. The most dangerous cities in Alaska are highlighted by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, indicating regions where extra caution is necessary. The contrast between the serene wilderness and urban crime issues is stark, yet it underscores the complexities of living in this remote state.

Addressing the safety concerns in Alaska involves a multifaceted approach, from increasing law enforcement presence to investing in community programs that address underlying social issues. The state's vast and often remote terrain can complicate these efforts, making it difficult to provide consistent public safety resources. However, Alaskans are known for their strong sense of community and resilience, which play crucial roles in tackling these challenges. While the most dangerous cities in Alaska may deter some, the state's unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness continues to draw those seeking adventure and a connection to the great outdoors.

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Bethel Population: 6,548 1,656 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.54 chance of being a victim: 1 in 60 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,901

Bethel, AK holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Alaska with 1,656 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,099), robbery (64), rape (494) and homicide (0) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 129% higher than the Alaska average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Anchorage Population: 292,090 1,015 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.78 chance of being a victim: 1 in 99 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,781

The second most dangerous city is Anchorage. With a population of 292,090 and a violent crime rate that is 40% higher than the Alaska average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Anchorage are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,015 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 99 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Fairbanks Population: 31,427 698 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.91 chance of being a victim: 1 in 143 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,161

Home to 31,427 residents, Fairbanks, AK ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Alaska. Unfortunately for residents of Fairbanks, crime is widespread, with more than 698 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 1.91 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 4% lower than the Alaska violent crime rate.

Juneau Population: 32,099 538 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.47 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,607

With a violent crime rate that is 26% lower than the Alaska average, it's not hard to see why Juneau made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (63), assault (357), rape (114) and homicide (3). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Juneau more vulnerable to high crime.

Wasilla Population: 10,469 449 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.23 chance of being a victim: 1 in 223 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,871

The ongoing battle with crime in Wasilla, AK, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 449 and a 1 in 223 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Wasilla has a violent crime rate that is 38% lower than the Alaska average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Wasilla.

Ketchikan Population: 8,230 360 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.99 chance of being a victim: 1 in 278 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,398

Ketchikan, AK comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 360 per 100,000 people, which is 50% lower than the Alaska average. Ketchikan has a population of 8,230, which translates to 0.99 crimes per day and 1 in 278 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Ketchikan which are much safer than others.

Kodiak Population: 5,983 265 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.73 chance of being a victim: 1 in 378 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,267

A 1 in 378 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 0.73 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Kodiak makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 265 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 63% lower than the Alaska average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (227), robbery (0), rape (38) and homicide (0).

Kenai Population: 7,799 229 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.63 chance of being a victim: 1 in 436 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,095

Kenai, AK is another one of the most dangerous cities in Alaska and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 7,799 and a violent crime rate of 229 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 115 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 115 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Kenai violent crime rate is 68% lower than the Alaska average.

Homer Population: 5,830 209 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.57 chance of being a victim: 1 in 478 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,465

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Homer, AK comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Alaska with a violent crime rate of 209 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.57 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 478 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Sitka Population: 8,569 181 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.49 chance of being a victim: 1 in 554 Total Crimes / 100k: 831

Rounding out our list at #10 is Sitka, AK. With a population of 8,569 and a violent crime rate of 181 per 100,000 people (75% lower than the Alaska average), some parts of Sitka are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 169 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 12 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 554 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Alaska

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Bethel	6,548	1,656	3,901
2	Anchorage	292,090	1,015	3,781
3	Fairbanks	31,427	698	4,161
4	Juneau	32,099	538	2,607
5	Wasilla	10,469	449	2,871
6	Ketchikan	8,230	360	2,398
7	Kodiak	5,983	265	1,267
8	Kenai	7,799	229	1,095
9	Homer	5,830	209	1,465
10	Sitka	8,569	181	831
11	Palmer	7,359	153	1,102

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Alaska is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Alaska cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.