The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Mississippi

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Mississippi For 2024

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 1 most dangerous spot in Mississippi. This includes high rates of almost every crime on the books, with 505 property crimes and 111 violent crimes in a population of 10,687.

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 162 chance of being a victim of a violent crime and 1 in 21 chance of being a victim of a property crime. Laurel is located halfway between Hattiesburg and Meridian off I-59.

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 3 rate of burglaries in the state. Robberies and violent crimes also happen at a high rate.

Built along the Mississippi River, just across from Louisiana, Natchez played an important historical role in the development in the region. Its spot on the river, north of key ports like New Orleans, made it an important trading post during the 19th century. Its history goes even beyond this, however, being named for the Natchez tribe — a tradition celebrated in the town’s Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

These days, the city’s role as a transportation hub has diminished. Railroads, then cars, then the airplane made river travel less crucial. Economic deterioration has led to a situation where crime has now become the only way some residents can make ends meet. As a result, the city has a high rate of robberies, as well as more serious crimes, like assaults and murders.

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.

The name “Biloxi” is derived from the Sioux word meaning “First People”, and Biloxi ranks number 6 on this list. That’s down 1 spots different from last year.

Home to 11 casinos located on the Gulf of Mexico and the Biloxi Bay, this city’s residents have a 1 in 19 chance of getting their property stolen. You’ll want to be sure to keep your winnings safe when at the casinos and on the beach.

Biloxi not only made this list, but it also made the Best Places for Singles in Mississippi list

and the Most Expensive Places to Live in Mississippi list. Biloxi may have a lot of crime, but it looks like it has a bunch of single, high rollers too.

Even though Pascagoula is on the most dangerous cities list this year, the people of this town have something to celebrate. Pascagoula is up 4 from last year, but it still ranks sixth highest in property crime. That means you have a 1 in 22 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”.

If you take the walking tour in the Historic Victorian District of Brookhaven, be sure to keep an eye out for suspicious characters. Ranked eighth highest in violent crime, you have a 1 in 177 chance of being a victim of murder or rape. That’s the bad news.

The good news about Brookhaven is that it made two of our lists: the Best Places to Retire in Mississippi list. So, while crime might not be great, it’s not that bad either.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulfport is home to 12 casinos. So while you’re out looking for friends and playing Craps or Blackjack, be sure to keep an eye out for your belongings. This city ranks 11th highest in property crime.

Ranked as one of the most diverse cities in Mississippi, you’re sure to find friends in Gulfport. But, you may not stay very long because this city is also on the worst places to live in Mississippi list as well.

Forest, located in Scott County, Mississippi, is ranked as the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state. Given its population of 5,262, a violent crime count of 40 incidents, and a property crime count of 135 incidents ranks highly per capita.

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