10. Oklahoma

FBI statistics gathered from UCR indicate that in 2014, there was a notable increase in crimes like aggravated assaults and forcible rape in the State of Oklahoma. Possible reasons include poverty and gang related issues. High crime rates in Oklahoma in 2014 can also be attributed to a lower level of education with less than 25% of the residents having a bachelor’s degree.

9. Maryland

In 2014, Maryland improved its reputation by reducing the annual crime rate by over 2%. A major factor contributing to this reduction in crime is a lower poverty rate which has helped in improving the situation. The rate of other violent crimes has fallen. However, high rate of aggravated assault including murder and homicide prevailing in Maryland keeps it on number 9 of the top 10 most dangerous states in US 2014.

8. Florida

Who might have thought that a state which is host to the Disney World and Universal Studios would also be ranked in the most dangerous states in the US in 2014? Scary as you might think, while your kids enjoy their rides at Disney World, Florida’s dark side has its evil magic to be ranked as number 8 of the top 10 most dangerous states in US 2014 due to high aggravated assault rates. However, the outlook for Florida is bright in terms of crime control as statistics indicate a steady decline in crime due to factors such as increasing education levels.

7. Louisiana

People get attracted to Louisiana due to its festivals like Mardi Grass. However, due to high levels of poverty, crime statistics in Louisiana portray a dark picture due to significantly high rates of murder, violent crime and property crime. Murder rate in Louisiana is the main contributor for it being positioned at number 7 among the top 10 most dangerous states in US in 2014.

6. Delaware

Known for higher household income rates in the country and lower poverty rates, Delaware also carries the burden of some poorest neighborhoods like Wilmington which contribute to a high ranking in crime statistics. With aggravated assault and property crime rate being among the worst in the country, Delaware is the 6th most dangerous US state of 2014.

5. South Carolina

South Carolina ranks fifth in this list as well as the nation’s highest violent crime rate. A poverty rate of over 18% and low education levels in the State seem to be the main contributors for high crime. Though manufacturing giants like Boeing and BMW have opened facilities in South Carolina, its high crime rate is something this State will not be proud of.

4. New Mexico

The number of murders and violent crimes per capita in New Mexico are higher than all other southwest states. New Mexico is not among the rich state and has significant drug usage which seems to be a factor for it being ranked fourth in violent crimes and forcible rape. All this has a negative impact on the quality of life of the people who call New Mexico their home.

3. Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the USA but ironically it is also the largest in terms of its forcible rape rate. A study indicates that over 35% of women living in Alaska were subjected to some form of rape. Aggravated assault is also a major problem in Alaska but the state averages on other forms of crime in comparison to other states.

2. Nevada

So you thought Nevada was all about Las Vegas and earning a fortune in casinos overnight? Think again. Nevada is derived from Sierra Nevada means “snow-capped range” in Spanish. Ironically, it seems to be capped with crimes like grand theft auto, robbery and aggravated assault, burglaries and rape. Violent crime rates are among the nation’s worst and stem from the fact that the state is host to a wide range of tourists who visit Las Vegas. The next time you visit Nevada for some gambling fortune, it won’t be a bad idea to take some security precautions too.

1. Tennessee

Before being known for Elvis Presley or country music, Tennessee’s roots go back to 12,000 years ago when Paleo-Indians inhabited this area, before becoming the 16th state in 1796. Topping the list of the most dangerous states in the US in 2014, Tennessee has the country’s worst violent crime rate. With over 40,000 violent crimes in 2014, the state’s crime rate appears to be climbing higher and higher. Statistics reveal that Tennessee’s metropolitan areas like Memphis and Nashville are major hubs of crime. Like other states in this list, major contributing factors of higher crime rates in Tennessee appear to be poverty and low education levels.