Arizona is a state with many attractions, from the Grand Canyon to the Sonoran Desert. However, not all parts of Arizona are safe and peaceful. According to the latest FBI crime data, one city in particular stands out as the most dangerous in the state: South Tucson.
What Makes South Tucson So Dangerous?
South Tucson is a small city of about 5,000 people, located within the larger city of Tucson. It has a high poverty rate, a low median income, and a large Hispanic population. It also has a history of gang violence, drug trafficking, and corruption.
According to the FBI, South Tucson had a violent crime rate of 3,331 per 100,000 residents in 2020, which was more than 10 times the national average of 367. The property crime rate was 12,421 per 100,000 residents, which was more than four times the national average of 2,110. The most common crimes reported in South Tucson were aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
South Tucson ranked as the most dangerous city in Arizona for the third year in a row, according to a report by RoadSnacks, a website that analyzes crime and other data. The report used the FBI crime data from 2020 and compared it to the population of each city to calculate the crime rate per capita. The report also ranked Arizona as the 10th most dangerous state in the country.
How Does South Tucson Compare to Other Arizona Cities?
South Tucson is not the only city in Arizona that has a high crime rate. Other cities that made the top 9 list of the most dangerous cities in Arizona by RoadSnacks are:
- Globe, with a violent crime rate of 2,072 and a property crime rate of 9,303
- Holbrook, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Winslow, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Page, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Tucson, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Tempe, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Kingman, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Phoenix, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
- Show Low, with a violent crime rate of 1,974 and a property crime rate of 11,619
These cities have crime rates that are significantly higher than the state average of 1,205 for violent crime and 12,169 for property crime, as well as the national average. Some of these cities, such as Tucson and Phoenix, are also among the largest and most populous in the state, which may contribute to their crime problems.
What Are the Safest Cities in Arizona?
On the other hand, Arizona also has some cities that are relatively safe and have low crime rates. According to the same report by RoadSnacks, the safest city in Arizona is Florence, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025. Florence is a historic town that serves as the county seat of Pinal County and has a population of about 26,000.
Other cities that made the top 9 list of the safest cities in Arizona by RoadSnacks are:
- Paradise Valley, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Sahuarita, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Gilbert, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Oro Valley, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- San Luis, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Somerton, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Marana, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Fountain Hills, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
- Queen Creek, with a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 1,025
These cities have crime rates that are much lower than the state and national averages, and some of them, such as Paradise Valley and Gilbert, are also among the wealthiest and most desirable places to live in the state.
Conclusion
Arizona is a state with a lot of diversity, both in terms of its natural beauty and its crime situation. While some cities in Arizona are plagued by high levels of violence and property crime, others are relatively safe and peaceful. South Tucson, in particular, has been named the crime capital of the state, due to its extremely high crime rate per capita. However, there are also many cities in Arizona that offer a high quality of life and a low risk of crime, such as Florence and Paradise Valley. Therefore, if you are planning to visit or move to Arizona, it is important to do your research and choose the city that best suits your needs and preferences.