Crime statistics are almost always a big factor in deciding what city to settle in to. During the current recession, crime has risen in almost every major metropolitan area in the United States.

Here is a list of the top 5 most dangerous places to live in the United States, according to statistics. Each city has their own reasons as to the increase in crime, especially aggravated assault and other violent crimes, but all have one thing in common: high unemployment.

Memphis, Tennessee:

Memphis, a city with a population of over 673,000, unemployment at 9.9% and a violent crime rate per 1,000 people at over 15 in 2010, comes in at number five on the list of most dangerous places to live. In 2010, Memphis had 89 murders and, while the violent crime rate dropped from 2009 to 2010, the city still ranks high on the list.

Many think the drop in crime is mainly due to the crime prevention plans put in place by city government, but unemployment and gang activity still take a heavy toll on the city.

New Haven, Connecticut:

New Haven, the home to Yale University, one of the country’s top colleges, comes in at number four on the list. In 2010, New Haven’s population was over 124,000. Their unemployment rate was at 9.6%; they had a total of 22 murders and a violent crime rate per 1,000 of 22.

The murder rate in New Haven doubled from 2009 to 2010. Because of the increased rates of aggravated assaults and murders, the police are considering installing some cameras in many neighborhoods where crime is the worst.

St. Louis, Missouri:

St. Louis, with a population of over 355,000 in 2010, comes in at number three on the list of most dangerous places to live. Even though the crime rate has fallen over the past few years, the city still experienced 144 murders in 2010 and is the third worst city for aggravated assault.

While unemployment rate was at 9.3% in 2010, statistics show that St Louis had the second highest death-by-gunshot rate in the country for individuals 10 to 19 years old. The amount of gunshot related deaths amongst younger individuals may point to an increasing gang problem within the city.

Detroit, Michigan:

Long thought to have had the highest crime rate in the country, Detroit still comes in at number two on the most dangerous places in the US. With a population of almost 900,000 and a murder rate of 310 in 2010, Detroit had a violent crime rate per 1,000 of 18.9.

While the higher crime rate was definitely due to the high unemployment rate of 12.7%, the increased amount of aggravated assaults and murders shows a city wide gang problem. A major reorganization of the Detroit Police Department came about in 2005 when the Federal Government intervened to fix the city’s broken law enforcement system, but the efforts may have been thwarted by the economic recession that would occur just a few years later.

Flint, Michigan:

Flint comes in as the number one most dangerous place to live in the United States (you definitely do not want to move there even if you hire a professional moving company). With a population just shy of 110,000, an unemployment rate at 11.8%, and a violent crime rate per 1,000 of 22 in 2010, the city has its share of violent crime issues.

The city of Flint however, attributed the uptick in crime to a high level of drug and gang activity, along with the abysmal poverty rate of over 36%.

Article written by Jet Russell of Boxcart.com. Jet is from Michigan and has experience the U.S.A’s most dangerous city first hand. In his spare time he likes to contribute articles to blogs for which he finds interesting.

Dangerous Lee’s Final Thought: Flint has a lot more to offer than crime and poverty. The Dangerous Lee News & Entertainment Network highlights positive Flint news and events here.