Indiana’s collective rates of violent and property crimes surpass the national average, underscoring the need for improvement in the state’s most precarious areas.
Here is a list of the most dangerous cities in Indiana.
Terre Haute:
Nestled along the Wabash River, east of the Illinois border, Terre Haute may project outward tranquility. Despite being home to Indiana State University and the Swope Art Museum, it claims the unsettling distinction of being Indiana’s most dangerous city, marked by high occurrences of burglaries, arsons, and vehicle thefts.
South Bend:
Known for the University of Notre Dame and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, South Bend ranks as the second most perilous city in Indiana. Notable for its high burglary rate and significant incidents of car thefts, it holds the dubious record for the highest rate of violent crimes in the state.
Evansville:
As the third-largest city in Indiana, also known as the “Pocket City,” Evansville recorded a notable number of larceny cases in 2020. Additionally, it ranked third in the state for the highest rate of rape incidents.
Indianapolis:
As the most populous city in Indiana, Indianapolis faces the highest frequency of robberies in the state and a substantial number of annual homicides. The city’s history includes the unsolved murder of Ann Ott in 1971, a haunting reminder of its ongoing struggle with violent crime.
Warsaw:
Despite being the sole city in Kosciusko County, Warsaw ranks as the fifth most hazardous area in Indiana, marked by a high occurrence of violent crimes.
Lafayette:
Home to Purdue University, Lafayette, the eighth-largest city in Indiana, stands as the sixth most dangerous city. It exhibits above-average rates of both property and violent crimes, including the state’s third-highest burglary rate.
Cumberland:
Situated on the outskirts of the Indianapolis metropolitan area, Cumberland ranks as the seventh most dangerous spot in Indiana. While violent crimes are relatively low, the city faces a high rate of property crimes, including the state’s second-highest rate of larcenies.
New Albany:
As the eighth most dangerous location in Indiana, New Albany, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, grapples with high rates of property crime, including numerous car thefts and larcenies.
Bloomington:
Located over an hour southwest of Indianapolis and home to Indiana University, Bloomington, despite its student-heavy population, experiences a crime rate extending beyond typical college mischief, with a significant number of serious crimes reported annually.
