The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alaska For 2023

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Alaska For 2023

As one of the largest cities in Alaska featured on our list of the most dangerous places, Anchorage has a population of more than 286,388, which puts it in 1st in terms of size. It is first in terms of dangerous cities in the state.

Specifically, Anchorage is known for its high levels of violent crimes, aggravated assaults, and property crimes. In 2021, there were 3,472 violent crimes, 2,338 aggravated assaults, and 9,872 property crimes reports in the city. Anchorage also ranks 2nd for the number of burglaries it reported in the same year.

Anchorage is known for its stunning glaciers and wildlife, as well as its residential community of artists and musicians.

While Fairbanks, Alaska might rank 3rd in population, it ranks second highest in total crime for 2023. Its thriving downtown community with lots of entertainment cannot make up for the fact that Fairbanks ranks highest in Alaska for property crime.

Unlike other more remote cities in Alaska, Fairbanks receives a large amount of tourism throughout the year. It is one of the best places to watch the northern lights during the Aurora season and has the summer sun 24 hours a day throughout the summer. It is also home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which houses a large number of college students. These factors contribute to the large amount of property crime the area experiences given its year round population.

Located on the northern part of Cook Inlet, Wasilla is one of the largest cities in the state of Alaska. It ranks 4th in population with 11,228 residents. It is easily one of the more dangerous cities in Alaska.

Specifically, Wasilla has a problem with property crimes and burglaries. It ranks 10th for burglaries and third highest in property crimes in 2021. It might not be the best place to move your family to.

Unrelated to its status as a dangerous city, Wasilla is the headquartered for the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It is also known for being the home of Sarah Palin.

Juneau, the state capital, is also one of the most dangers in Alaska based on the most recently release of FBI crime data. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this city has appeared on our list — it has made it every year since we started ranking cities in 2015.

While it’s very hard to exit or enter the city, the people that do live there seem to steal and cheat each other a little more than you’d like in the Last Frontier state. Burglary is the main problem as the city ranks third highest for burglaries this year.

And while Juneau is relatively dangerous for the state, you should worry more about being safe on the gorgeous glacier adventures you can experience around the city.

Are you into dog sledding? Like, really into dog sledding? Like, bore your friends at every party discussing the intricacies of harnesses and brushbow maintenance?

Well, then Nome might be the place for you. The town represents the finish line for the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which begins in Anchorage, more than 900 miles away.

However, if you come for the Iditarod, better stay alert. Nome can get rowdy. The town reported 164 violent crimes last year in a town of just 3,900 people. At that rate, you’re more likely to get bitten by a Nome resident than by one of the sled dogs. In fact, the city ranks number 1 in Alaska in terms of the per-capita pace of violent crimes.

The North Pole has a bit of a reputation for being the reputed home of Santa Claus. However, North Pole, Alaska actually does not have much to do with the mythical place or the city in the center of the Arctic Circle. Rather, it is a town of 2,090 people living in central Alaska.

North Pole, Alaska is more dangerous for your stuff than it is for your physical body. For 2023, it ranks 4th for burglary and sixth highest for property crimes.

It is located just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, another one of the cities recognized in this year’s list of the most dangerous cities in Alaska.

Ketchikan, Alaska is sometimes referred to the Salmon Capital of the World. With 8,307 residents, it is one of the more populous cities in the state. While Ketchikan might be relatively safe from violent crimes, the same cannot be written about its rates of property crimes.

Ketchikan ranks fourth highest for property crimes and sixth highest in overall crime. There is a 3,454/100k people rate for per capita crime in the city, as measured in 2021. This means that you are relatively likely to experience a property crime if you live here, compared to living in other communities in Alaska.

It is located on the west coast of Revillagigedo Island. It is historically a large fishing community.

This is Alaska. Your definition of “city” needs recalibration. Yes, Bethel only has 6,642 people. Yes, it sits near the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, in one of the great untamed wildernesses in the country. Yet, with all this, Bethel still counts as the biggest city in western Alaska.

Guess that’s where the big-city crime rate comes from. This lawless streak lands Bethel at number 8 on the list of most dangerous spots in Alaska.

Let’s just look at one example. For its size, Bethel suffers a scary number of sexual assaults, with 43 rapes last year. That’s the number 2 worst rate in the state.

When the U.S. bought Alaska back in 1867, they called it “Seward’s folly,” a dig at Secretary of State William Seward, who paid $7.2 million for the massive territory. Well, here’s a city named after him. The main folly here? Leaving your car parked in a darkened alley at night.

In terms of violence, Seward is relatively tame. But better check your car alarm before you head to town. The city reported 8 car thefts last year, in an area with 2,806 residents. That gives it the number 9 highest pace of auto theft in the Last Frontier.

Located along the mouth of a Kenai River, Kenai, Alaska is a small town that holds the title of the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state for 2023. With a population of just 7,885 residents, its total crime per capita is 2,320/100k people. It leads the state in total crimes, property crimes, and murder.

Compared to the other cities and towns in Alaska, Kenai ranks 3rd in murders and ninth highest for property crimes based on the 2021 data year. Considering its very small population when compared to other cities in Alaska, the 148 property crimes and 128 larceny cases reported in 2021 is a lot for residents to worry about.

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