Most dangerous cities in Mississippi research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Mississippi.
We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 36 Mississippi cities. Here are the results of our analysis:
The most dangerous city in Mississippi is Laurel based on the most recent FBI crime data.
The violent crime rate in Mississippi is 1,051 per 100k people.
The property crime rate in Mississippi is 3,787 per 100k people.
The safest city in Mississippi is Madison.
Mississippi is the 43rd most dangerous state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References
If you’ve ever been to Eureka St. in Batesville or North St. in Brookhaven, you know that Mississippi has some dangerous places.
But what cities in Mississippi are the most dangerous? Well, we created a report of the most dangerous cities in Mississipi for 2025 based on violent and property crimes per capita.
We analyzed 36 Mississippi cities with over 5,000 residents. We discovered that Mississippi is slightly above the national average for property crime and comparable to the national average for violent crime.
So put on some bluegrass and grab some Mississippi mud pie as you learn about the top ten most dangerous places.
The Most Dangerous Cities In Mississippi For 2025
What is the most dangerous in Mississippi? The most dangerous place in Mississippi is Laurel.
There are over 200 police officers per 100,000 residents in Mississippi, but they can’t be everywhere. So, smaller Mississippi cities like McComb and Greenwood are starting to suffer the consequences. And these are not even Mississippi’s most dangerous places.
For more Mississippi reading, check out:
- Most dangerous cities in the US
- Best Places To Live In Mississippi
- Cheapest Places To Live In Mississippi
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Mississippi
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Mississippi For 2025
/10
Population: 16,922
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,051 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,787 (Fourth most dangerous)
Murders: 4
More on Laurel: Data
With six rankings on our HomeSnacks lists, Laurel, Mississippi is sure to have something for everyone. It’s on the cheapest places to live list, the best places to retire in Mississippi list.
Unfortunately, if you live in Laurel, it’s also on the most dangerous cities in Mississippi list. You have a 1 in 95 chance of being a victim of a violent crime and 1 in 26 chance of being a victim of a property crime. Laurel is located halfway between Hattiesburg and Meridian off I-59.
/10
Population: 19,785
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 616 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,810 (Third most dangerous)
Murders: 4
More on Vicksburg: Data
Vicksburg was once a crucial trading spot along the Mississippi River. So much so that a Confederate surrender there on July 4, 1863, marked a crucial turning point in the Civil War. At one point, this was one of the most important locations in the entire country. But then again, so was Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
These days? Well, river traffic isn’t what it used to be. You can check out some of the historical monuments around town. But doing so forces you to take on some risk. Yes, the chances of getting shot by Union snipers is substantially lower than it was back in 1863. But, that said, the odds of getting your car stolen or suffering a random assault are much higher.
/10
Population: 7,272
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 343 (Tenth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,757 (Second most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Batesville: Data
This Homesnacks list is the only one that Batesville, Mississippi made. Unfortunately, you really don’t want your town to be on the list for most dangerous cities in Mississippi. Ranked tenth highest in violent crime and second highest in property crime, you’re more likely to be a victim of murder or rape than getting your car or cell phone stolen.
Batesville is Panola County’s largest community and one of two county seats. If you take a stroll on Batesville Main Street, a popular tourist attraction, better be aware of your surroundings.
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Population: 21,455
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 326 (11th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,870 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Pascagoula: Data
Even though Pascagoula is on the most dangerous cities list this year, the people of this town have something to celebrate. Pascagoula is up 7 from last year, but it still ranks highest in property crime. That means you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a victim of larceny, car theft, or arson. You’ll need to make sure you lock your doors and keep an eye on your personal belongings.
Known as the “Singing River” city located near the Gulf of Mexico, Pascagoula’s name is derived from a Native American tribe known as the “bread eaters”.
/10
Population: 37,593
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 391 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,777 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 4
More on Tupelo: Data
/10
Population: 6,346
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 630 (Third most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,505 (12th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Amory: Data
/10
Population: 10,165
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 383 (Eighth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,843 (Ninth most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Cleveland: Data
This isn’t LeBron’s Cleveland. It’s not the Cleveland that claims ownership over rock n’ roll. It’s not even the Cleveland where you can make fun of the fact that the river once caught fire. No, that Cleveland is in Ohio. This one sits in west-central Mississippi, although it does have a museum centered around the Grammy awards, so there’s a music connection for its sister city along Lake Erie.
Otherwise, the claim to fame for this Cleveland centers around its ferocious crime rate. In fact, it counts as the number 7 most dangerous spot in Mississippi. This includes high rates of almost every crime on the books, with 289 property crimes and 39 violent crimes in a population of 10,165.
/10
Population: 14,142
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 353 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,139 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Corinth: Data
Corinth was originally known as Cross City. Not for religious reasons — it sat at the point where two railroads crossed. That history is commemorated in the Crossroads Museum, full of memorabilia from both railroading history and the Civil War.
Located in in the far northern part of the state, along the Tennessee border, that crossroads vibe still hangs in the air. Good thing too — better to make a quick escape. This area teems with criminal activity, including the number 4 rate of burglaries in the state. Robberies and violent crimes also happen at a high rate.
/10
Population: 6,867
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 524 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,490 (13th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Philadelphia: Data
/10
Population: 9,665
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 506 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,079 (15th most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on West Point: Data
Although West Point ranks as one of the best places to raise a family and one of the best places to retire in Mississippi, you still have to watch where you go in this town of 9,665 people. You have a 1 in 48 chance of experiencing a burglary or car theft and a 1 in 197 chance of being a victim of a violent crime. Those are big numbers for a town with such a small population.
Located in the northeast section of Mississippi, West Point is part of what is known as the Golden Triangle region of the state.
Crime By City In Mississippi
| Rank | City | Population | Total Crimes Per 100K | Violent Crimes Per 100K | Property Crimes Per 100K | Murders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurel | 16,922 | 4,839 | 1,051 | 3,787 | 4 |
| 2 | Vicksburg | 19,785 | 4,427 | 616 | 3,810 | 4 |
| 3 | Batesville | 7,272 | 5,101 | 343 | 4,757 | 1 |
| 4 | Pascagoula | 21,455 | 5,196 | 326 | 4,870 | 1 |
| 5 | Tupelo | 37,593 | 4,168 | 391 | 3,777 | 4 |
| 6 | Amory | 6,346 | 3,135 | 630 | 2,505 | 0 |
| 7 | Cleveland | 10,165 | 3,226 | 383 | 2,843 | 2 |
| 8 | Corinth | 14,142 | 3,493 | 353 | 3,139 | 0 |
| 9 | Philadelphia | 6,867 | 3,014 | 524 | 2,490 | 0 |
| 10 | West Point | 9,665 | 2,586 | 506 | 2,079 | 2 |
| 11 | Booneville | 9,075 | 3,889 | 242 | 3,647 | 2 |
| 12 | Hattiesburg | 48,307 | 3,686 | 221 | 3,465 | 6 |
| 13 | Picayune | 11,860 | 2,883 | 185 | 2,698 | 2 |
| 14 | Southaven | 57,537 | 2,328 | 304 | 2,024 | 1 |
| 15 | Forest | 5,232 | 1,586 | 707 | 879 | 0 |
| 16 | Pontotoc | 5,966 | 2,128 | 251 | 1,877 | 0 |
| 17 | Gautier | 19,023 | 2,171 | 247 | 1,923 | 0 |
| 18 | Ridgeland | 24,407 | 1,700 | 319 | 1,380 | 4 |
| 19 | Bay St. Louis | 10,901 | 2,476 | 119 | 2,357 | 1 |
| 20 | Senatobia | 8,263 | 1,839 | 229 | 1,609 | 0 |
| 21 | Kosciusko | 6,765 | 1,803 | 177 | 1,626 | 1 |
| 22 | Waveland | 6,923 | 2,715 | 72 | 2,643 | 0 |
| 23 | Oxford | 27,529 | 1,979 | 127 | 1,852 | 1 |
| 24 | Olive Branch | 47,178 | 1,557 | 199 | 1,358 | 0 |
| 25 | Starkville | 25,344 | 2,118 | 82 | 2,035 | 3 |
| 26 | Horn Lake | 26,378 | 1,508 | 109 | 1,398 | 1 |
| 27 | Petal | 11,505 | 521 | 130 | 391 | 1 |
| 28 | Byram | 12,526 | 1,053 | 95 | 958 | 1 |
| 29 | New Albany | 7,733 | 1,215 | 77 | 1,137 | 0 |
| 30 | Long Beach | 17,053 | 1,073 | 82 | 991 | 0 |
| 31 | Clinton | 26,285 | 1,274 | 68 | 1,206 | 0 |
| 32 | Hernando | 18,579 | 565 | 91 | 473 | 2 |
| 33 | Richland | 7,486 | 1,082 | 53 | 1,028 | 0 |
| 34 | Brandon | 25,905 | 463 | 88 | 374 | 4 |
| 35 | Pass Christian | 6,435 | 808 | 0 | 808 | 0 |
| 36 | Madison | 28,064 | 445 | 57 | 388 | 2 |
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Mississippi for 2025?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Mississippi. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Mississippi, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the 2024 data, specifically the 2024 Crime In The United States Report for Mississippi.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Mississippi cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 36 cities in Mississippi.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 36 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.
Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Mississippi — Laurel. Any ties went to the smaller city.
This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Mississippi and is updated for 2025. No, Mississippi is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #17 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Mississippi ranks 37th most dangerous in the United States — 21.27% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Magnolia State ranks 23rd most dangerous in the United States — 7.53% worse than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022. Yes, Jackson is a dangerous city. Jackson ranks as the #89 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Jackson might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, Fondren North is the safest in Jackson, while Enochs Street-Hyde Park is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats. Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Jackson ranks 328th highest in America — 100.0% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 50th highest in the United States — 47.1% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.Most Dangerous Places To Live In Mississippi FAQs
Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Mississippi
Summary: Locking It All Up In Mississippi
So what is the most dangerous city in Mississippi? After analyzing 36 cities in Mississippi, Laurel takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Mississippi based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2024.
The latest FBI crime data shows that Laurel ranks as the most dangerous city in Mississippi for 2025.
The most dangerous cities in Mississippi are .
We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Laurel and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.
What is the most dangerous in Mississippi? The most dangerous place in Mississippi is Laurel.
There are over 200 police officers per 100,000 residents in Mississippi, but they can’t be everywhere. So, smaller Mississippi cities like McComb and Greenwood are starting to suffer the consequences. And these are not even Mississippi’s most dangerous places.
Learn more about the safest places in Mississippi.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
Here are the safest cities in Mississippi:
- Petal (Pop. 11,505)
- Byram (Pop. 12,526)
- New Albany (Pop. 7,733)
- Long Beach (Pop. 17,053)
- Clinton (Pop. 26,285)
- Hernando (Pop. 18,579)
- Richland (Pop. 7,486)
- Brandon (Pop. 25,905)
- Pass Christian (Pop. 6,435)
- Madison (Pop. 28,064)
For more Mississippi reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Mississippi
- Cheapest Places To Live In Mississippi
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Mississippi
- Safest Places In Mississippi
- Worst Places To Live In Mississippi
After studying these statistics, and knowing both McComb and Jackson, I will still take my chances in McComb rather than Jackson. I dread the thought of even driving through Jackson on either I-55 or I-20. I get through that city as quickly as possible. I loved for 8 years in Jackson from 1972-1980. It was dangerous enough back then, but nothing compared to today.
Apparently the people who wrote this article don’t know the difference between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Given that, I doubt the reliability of anything they publish.
I used to live in Pascagoula, didn’t know that much bad stuff happened in there..
Why is Columbus MS not mentioned?
My family has lived in Batesville since the 1850s on Eureka Street that you mention. Never in my almost 70 years nor do I recall my ancestors ever stating that they felt in danger. Not then & not now. Batesville has it’s issues as does everywhere these days, but not to the point that crime is “rampant”.
Batesville isn’t the safest… but Eureka St in Batesville being dangerous?? We live right near it and drive down it every day.
Not even close to dangerous on that street. You obviously just picked a random street to up your word count of this article.
That discredited this whole story from the start.
Anyone who thinks Laurel is more dangerous than Biloxi has never been to either. I have lived in both, Biloxi for two decades and Laurel for one, so I have a pretty good idea of which I speak. Ridiculous.
Pascagoula is NOT the most dangerous city in Mississippi!!! Far from it.