The Top 15 Most Notorious States in America

Explore America's diverse landscape-from California's sunny shores to Massachusetts' historic streets. Every state has unique stories marked by events and figures that shaped its culture and notoriety.

Alaska

Alaska has the highest crime rate per 1000 people in 2022, with prevalent sexual assault and domestic violence. Road safety and emergency preparedness are challenges due to harsh winters and remoteness. There's criticism for its treatment of Indigenous communities.

New Mexico

New Mexico has high violent crime rates, especially burglary & theft. It struggles with emergency preparedness, more so in rural areas. The state faces drug trafficking issues. Albuquerque, Farmington, & Gallup are among its worst cities. New Mexico

Louisiana

Louisiana ranks 47th in finance safety, and 49th in emergency preparedness in the U.S. It had an 8.3% unemployment rate in Nov 2020. It has the third-highest rate of bullying incidents and leads in the highest homicide rate.

Mississippi

Mississippi ranks last in Road Safety & Emergency Preparedness and 49th in Financial Safety, reporting the second-highest fatalities per 100 million miles. Mississippi also faces high unemployment rates.

Texas

Texas is popular for its cowboy culture but also has a notorious side, ranking high in violent crime rates with over 131,000 cases reported in 2020 and being fifth in the nation for hate crimes. It also faced political scandals like Enron scandal.

Arkansas

Arkansas has a high poverty rate at over 16%, ranking poorly in road safety and emergency preparedness, with recent headlines about strict anti-abortion laws and controversial executions.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma, having high incarceration rates, and ranking low in financial safety and disaster preparedness, faces criticism for handling natural disasters.

Montana

Montana has a violent crime rate 21% higher than the US average. It faces road safety issues, poor winter preparedness, and inadequate Native American support.

Alabama

Alabama's history is steeped in racial tension and discrimination. Despite progress, the state still ranks low in crime rates and emergency preparedness. Alabama has the fifth-highest assault rate and seventh-highest homicide rate.

Florida

Florida is known for its beaches and theme parks, but also has high crime rates, with numerous robberies and low financial safety. It also faces natural disasters.

Missouri

Missouri has high violent crime rates with over 30,000 crimes reported in 2020. It struggles with poverty and has been criticized for how protests like Ferguson 2014 were managed.

Tennessee

Tennessee is among the top 10 most violent states with over 46,000 violent crimes reported in 2020. It also faces high poverty and safety concerns, along with criticism for handling the opioid epidemic poorly.

South Carolina

South Carolina, one of the most dangerous US states with over 27,000 violent crimes in 2020, faces poverty and financial safety issues. It has strict anti-abortion laws.

Arizona

Arizona, known for national parks, has high violent crime rates. Scottsdale is relatively safer, but Tempe and Phoenix aren't. FBI data shows 8.6% crime increase from 2020 to 2021.

South Dakota

South Dakota's low population contrasts its high crime rate. In 2023, it logged 501 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Murders, rapes, and drunk driving are particularly prevalent.

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