Most Dangerous Cities in America

When choosing a travel destination, an important factor to consider is a place's safety. While a city's crime rate is more of an issue and concern for those who live their year round, it is important to know as a traveler, whether or not you can feel safe in a place you're visiting.

Recently the FBI released information about crime rates of U.S. cities. Overall, the data showed that violent crime is down with a 4 percent drop in 2011 and a 5.5 percent drop in 2010. Murder rates fell 1.9% and robbery, forcible rape and assault fell 4 percent each, showing that crime decreased overall in the country. However, certain cities stick out as having higher crime rates than others and are considered to be America's most dangerous cities.

According to 24/7 Wall St., the data shows that violent crime has increased in more than half of the top 10 cities with the highest crime rate. Murder rates increased in seven of the top 10 and burglary increased on eight of the 10 most dangerous cities.

Increased high rates are caused by several factors. Limited budgets have caused police departments to shrink and officers are not able to cover as much area. Also, many of the cities with the highest crime rates are areas with high poverty rates, unemployment, and low income.

Despite this being a list of the most dangerous cities, the FBI says that people, including travelers should not be turned off from going to these places, as the information doesn't consider why these crimes were committed. "Data users should not rank locales because there are many factors that cause the nature and type of crime to vary from place to place," the FBI warns.

These listings are more of a good guide for governments to determine which places need extra financial assistance and help to work on decreasing crime.

Information was gathered from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report and 24/7 Wall St. determined which cities of 100,000 people or more, had the highest rates of violent crime per 1,000 residents. They also listed the median income, poverty rates and unemployment rates for these dangerous cities for people to compare and consider.

According to 24/7 Wall St., these are the five most dangerous cities in America

5. Memphis, Tennessee

Violent crimes per 1,000: 15.8
Population: 652,725
2011 murders: 117
Median income: $37,045
Unemployment rate: 11.1%

Memphis is a music mecca, where artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all got their start, but today, it is one of the cities with the highest crime rates. The city did not have a major increase in crime, but it was enough to put it at number five on this list. The violent crime rate in Memphis rose from 15.4 to 15.8. Murders rose from 89 to 117 cases. Aggravated assaults increased by 100 cases. These increasing crimes could correlate with the increasing unemployment rate which rose by 1.2 percent to 11.1 percent last year.

4. Oakland, California

Violent crimes per 1,000: 16.8
Population: 395,317
2011 murders: 104
Median income: $49,190
Unemployment rate: 15.6%

Ironically, Oakland made number five on The New York Times list of top places to go in 2012 but it's number four on the list of most dangerous cities. It has even been known as one of the most dangerous cities in California, with their violent crime rate reach 16.8 this year. Murders increased by 14 last year. This California city has a high theft rate as robberies occurs and cars get stolen rather often. However, one of the biggest factors in crime may be related to the high 15.6 percent unemployment rate, which sparked the large Occupy Oakland protests, which got violent at points. City council membes are looking into more funding to increase police activity in the area.

3. St. Louis, Missouri

Violent crimes per 1,000: 18.6
Population: 320,454
2011 murders: 113
Median income: $32,688
Unemployment rate: 11.7%

St. Louis is a popular tourist area with it's Gateway Arch and music history, however it reaches number three on the top crime city list. St. Louis did see a 31 case decrease in murders, but the murder rate is still the fourth highest in the country. Violent crime rose from 17.5 to 18.6 cases per 1,000 people and it holds the fifth highest robbery rate and third highest aggravated assault rate in the country. Crime could increase even more at the city's police department may be cut due to drastic budget cuts.

2. Detroit, Michigan

Violent crimes per 1,000: 21.4
Population: 713,239
2011 murders: 344
Median income: $25,787
Unemployment rate: 19.9%

Detroit's high crime rate may be related to its extremely high poverty and unemployment rates, making it high up on the dangerous city list. Murder went up by 11% and the city's robbery rates are the fourth highest in the country. It's aggravated assault rates are the second highest in the country. To make matters worse, the police department faced an 18% budget cut, resulting in the elimination of 380 officers and forcing the police stations to be closed between 4p.m. and 8.a.m.

1. Flint, Michigan

Violent crimes per 1,000: 23.4
Population: 102,357
2011 murders: 52
Median income: $22,672
Unemployment rate: 18.9%

This other Michigan city tops the list with the highest crime rates in America. According to the FBI, there were 2,392 incidents of violent crime in Flint in 2011, which is pretty high considering the city only has a population of 100,000. This city has the second-highest murder rate in the country and its rate of aggravated assault, burglary and arson are the highest in the nation. The city's mayor blames too many guns in the area as a cause of high crime. In 2010, the Flint police force faced a cut of 20 officers out of its 140 person force.

Other top crime cities that 24/7 Wall St. listed include

10. Stockton, CA

9. Baltimore, MD

8. Atlanta, GA

7. Birmingham, AL

6. Little Rock, Arkansas