Top 10 most dangerous cities in Alaska

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.

Bethel Population: 6,548 1,245 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.41 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,516

Bethel, AK holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Alaska with 1,245 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,149), robbery (32), rape (48) and homicide (16) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 64% 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 1,151 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.15 chance of being a victim: 1 in 87 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,915

The second most dangerous city is Anchorage. With a population of 292,090 and a violent crime rate that is 52% 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 1,151 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 87 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Fairbanks Population: 31,427 827 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.26 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,118

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 827 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.26 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 9% higher than the Alaska violent crime rate.

Juneau Population: 32,099 620 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.70 chance of being a victim: 1 in 161 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,351

With a violent crime rate that is 18% 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 (72), assault (286), rape (255) and homicide (6). 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: 10,469 540 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.48 chance of being a victim: 1 in 185 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,599

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 540 and a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Wasilla has a violent crime rate that is 29% 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.

Palmer Population: 7,359 460 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.26 chance of being a victim: 1 in 217 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,062

Palmer, AK comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 people, which is 39% lower than the Alaska average. Palmer has a population of 7,359, which translates to 1.26 crimes per day and 1 in 217 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 Palmer which are much safer than others.

Homer Population: 5,830 424 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.16 chance of being a victim: 1 in 236 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,663

A 1 in 236 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.16 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Homer makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 424 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 44% lower than the Alaska average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (271), robbery (0), rape (136) and homicide (17).

Kenai Population: 7,799 337 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.92 chance of being a victim: 1 in 297 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,308

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 337 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 220 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 104 counts of rape and 13 counts of homicide. All told, the Kenai violent crime rate is 56% lower than the Alaska average.

Kodiak Population: 5,983 317 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.87 chance of being a victim: 1 in 315 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,139

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, Kodiak, AK comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Alaska with a violent crime rate of 317 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.87 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 315 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Ketchikan Population: 8,230 163 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.45 chance of being a victim: 1 in 612 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,094

Rounding out our list at #10 is Ketchikan, AK. With a population of 8,230 and a violent crime rate of 163 per 100,000 people (78% lower than the Alaska average), some parts of Ketchikan are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 113 counts of assault, 13 counts of robbery, 38 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 612 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	1,245	1,516
2	Anchorage	292,090	1,151	3,915
3	Fairbanks	31,427	827	5,118
4	Juneau	32,099	620	2,351
5	Wasilla	10,469	540	3,599
6	Palmer	7,359	460	2,062
7	Homer	5,830	424	1,663
8	Kenai	7,799	337	2,308
9	Kodiak	5,983	317	1,139
10	Ketchikan	8,230	163	1,094
11	Sitka	8,569	95	524

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.