10 Most Dangerous Cities in America (3 of 6)

7. Gary, Indiana

Gary was once a prosperous steel town. You could be the sole breadwinner and still afford to buy a house and raise three children. But these days it serves as a cautionary tale about what happens when a city relies exclusively on one industry. Once proclaimed “The City of the Century,” the population has fallen from a high of 178,000 back in 1960 to its current level of 68,000. Entire neighborhoods are empty, and violent crime is several times the national average. The city hasn’t completely withered on the vine (it’s around a 45-minute drive from downtown Chicago), but the era of prosperity is probably gone forever.

6. Gallup, New Mexico

At first glance, it’s difficult to imagine a community with such beautiful desert landscapes would be anything but a wonderful place to settle down with the family. However, the Native Americans residing in the town face significant challenges in their daily lives. Violent crime rates are three times the national average, alcoholism is a huge concern, and the majority of residents live in poverty. Underinvestment, strained public services, high unemployment, and infrastructure struggles have a major impact on their daily lives. It’s gotten to a point where the locals know exactly which gas stations to avoid.