When you think of America’s most dangerous cities, the biggest ones tend to grab the national headlines. But it’s actually the smaller communities that struggle the most with violent crime and drug use. Many of them were once industrial powerhouses that experienced economic collapse once the factories closed. Others are struggling rural communities where alcoholism and unemployment run rampant. Here are the 10 cities in America where you have to watch your back.
10. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff was once a relatively prosperous city, fueled by manufacturing and paper mills, but the effects of industrial downsizing have been unkind. Violent crime rates in Pine Bluff are more than double the national average. Unemployment is high. There have been decades of significant population decline. Sure, rent is pretty cheap (around $750/month), but that’s more a reflection of declining demand than prosperity. There have been a few attempts at revitalization, but they’ve always fallen flat as businesses close and crime rates increase.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in America 