Top 10 most dangerous cities in Arkansas

Arkansas, known for its diverse landscapes ranging from the Ozark Mountains to the fertile Mississippi Delta, provides a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The state is rich in outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and boating, particularly in locations such as Hot Springs National Park and the Buffalo National River. Arkansas is also home to a growing arts and music scene, with vibrant cultural events in cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville. Despite these attractions, certain areas in Arkansas face significant safety challenges. The most dangerous cities in Arkansas are marked by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, which highlight the regions requiring increased caution and awareness.

Addressing safety concerns in Arkansas involves a combination of community policing and social programs aimed at reducing violence and improving quality of life. Urban areas, in particular, face higher crime rates, which necessitate focused efforts to enhance public safety. The state's commitment to tackling these issues is evident in various local initiatives designed to foster safer communities. While the most dangerous cities in Arkansas present ongoing challenges, the resilience of its residents and the state's natural and cultural offerings continue to make it an appealing place to live and visit. The balance between addressing safety concerns and promoting the state's many attractions is a testament to Arkansas's enduring spirit.

West Memphis Population: 24,656 2,638 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 7.23 chance of being a victim: 1 in 38 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,388

West Memphis, AR holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Arkansas with 2,638 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (2,297), robbery (185), rape (105) and homicide (50) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 309% higher than the Arkansas average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Forrest City Population: 14,062 2,210 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 6.05 chance of being a victim: 1 in 45 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,317

The second most dangerous city is Forrest City. With a population of 14,062 and a violent crime rate that is 242% higher than the Arkansas average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Forrest City are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 2,210 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Osceola Population: 6,786 2,145 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 5.88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 47 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,165

Home to 6,786 residents, Osceola, AR ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Arkansas. Unfortunately for residents of Osceola, crime is widespread, with more than 2,145 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 5.88 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 232% higher than the Arkansas violent crime rate.

Little Rock Population: 198,067 1,833 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 5.02 chance of being a victim: 1 in 55 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,182

With a violent crime rate that is 184% higher than the Arkansas average, it's not hard to see why Little Rock made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (213), assault (1,457), rape (124) and homicide (39). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Little Rock more vulnerable to high crime.

El Dorado Population: 17,826 1,732 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.74 chance of being a victim: 1 in 58 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,907

The ongoing battle with crime in El Dorado, AR, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,732 and a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), El Dorado has a violent crime rate that is 168% higher than the Arkansas average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in El Dorado.

Helena-West Helena Population: 10,487 1,657 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.54 chance of being a victim: 1 in 60 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,060

Helena-West Helena, AR comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 1,657 per 100,000 people, which is 157% higher than the Arkansas average. Helena-West Helena has a population of 10,487, which translates to 4.54 crimes per day and 1 in 60 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Helena-West Helena which are much safer than others.

Pine Bluff Population: 42,323 1,628 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.46 chance of being a victim: 1 in 61 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,749

A 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 4.46 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Pine Bluff makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 1,628 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 152% higher than the Arkansas average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (1,343), robbery (157), rape (86) and homicide (43).

North Little Rock Population: 66,079 1,230 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.37 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,864

North Little Rock, AR is another one of the most dangerous cities in Arkansas and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 66,079 and a violent crime rate of 1,230 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 1,035 counts of assault, 118 counts of robbery, 49 counts of rape and 28 counts of homicide. All told, the North Little Rock violent crime rate is 91% higher than the Arkansas average.

Stuttgart Population: 8,617 1,185 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.25 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,059

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Stuttgart, AR comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Arkansas with a violent crime rate of 1,185 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 3.25 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 84 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Paragould Population: 28,821 1,142 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 88 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,945

Rounding out our list at #10 is Paragould, AR. With a population of 28,821 and a violent crime rate of 1,142 per 100,000 people (77% higher than the Arkansas average), some parts of Paragould are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 974 counts of assault, 46 counts of robbery, 122 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 88 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Arkansas

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	West Memphis	24,656	2,638	7,388
2	Forrest City	14,062	2,210	6,317
3	Osceola	6,786	2,145	5,165
4	Little Rock	198,067	1,833	7,182
5	El Dorado	17,826	1,732	4,907
6	Helena-West Helena	10,487	1,657	5,060
7	Pine Bluff	42,323	1,628	6,749
8	North Little Rock	66,079	1,230	5,864
9	Stuttgart	8,617	1,185	5,059
10	Paragould	28,821	1,142	4,945
11	Jacksonville	28,442	1,122	5,756
12	Wynne	7,773	1,057	4,105
13	Fort Smith	87,788	1,044	5,988
14	Hope	9,668	1,031	4,569
15	Texarkana	29,864	995	4,639
16	Blytheville	13,735	966	5,074
17	Trumann	7,000	920	4,929
18	Sherwood	31,225	776	3,343
19	Malvern	10,886	758	4,444
20	Marion	12,371	706	3,485
21	Ward	5,195	695	2,643
22	Jonesboro	77,391	646	3,970
23	Conway	66,776	578	3,420
24	Siloam Springs	17,031	568	2,818
25	Russellville	29,227	559	3,410
26	Springdale	80,433	546	3,068
27	Magnolia	11,537	543	3,988
28	Heber Springs	7,156	530	3,087
29	Searcy	23,673	513	4,207
30	Hot Springs	38,697	513	6,376
31	Monticello	9,392	512	2,512
32	Fayetteville	86,622	504	4,537
33	Beebe	8,131	495	2,695
34	De Queen	6,499	478	2,719
35	Van Buren	23,600	450	3,595
36	Alma	5,816	409	3,064
37	Batesville	10,749	404	2,237
38	Rogers	67,787	395	2,529
39	Morrilton	6,638	380	4,364
40	Mena	5,524	372	3,645
41	Cabot	26,376	370	2,041
42	Pocahontas	6,582	366	2,860
43	Warren	5,596	357	2,216
44	Benton	36,360	345	3,156
45	Walnut Ridge	5,104	328	1,274
46	Bentonville	52,070	319	1,485
47	Mountain Home	12,463	311	3,194
48	Prairie Grove	6,236	272	1,478
49	Pea Ridge	5,960	262	1,086
50	Arkadelphia	10,670	244	2,150

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Arkansas is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Arkansas cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.