Small towns and cities, which have populations ranging from 30,000 to 100,000, often have fewer resources dedicated to combating crime compared to larger cities. Despite experiencing lower crime rates, the impact and financial burden of crime can be disproportionately high in these areas.
After analyzing the data, the personal finance website MoneyGeek utilized FBI crime data to examine crime rates in 302 major cities and 1,010 small cities and towns across the nation. Their analysis encompassed both violent crime and property crime, and drew from research conducted by the University of Miami and the University of Colorado Denver to assess the cost of crime in each locality.
The small towns and cities with the highest cost of crime in America are as follows.
Flint Township, Michigan
Taking the #15 spot is Flint Township, Michigan. With a total population of approximately 31,273, the cost of crime is $4,874 for every resident in Flint Township, Michigan. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $152,424,602.
Riviera Beach, Florida
With a total population of approximately 38,748, the cost of crime is $4,932 for every resident in Riviera Beach, Florida. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $191,105,136.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
With a total population of approximately 38,699, the cost of crime is $4,975 for every resident in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $192,527,525.
York, Pennsylvania
With a total population of approximately 44,834, the cost of crime is $5,177 for every resident in York, Pennsylvania. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $232,105,618.
Fairbanks, Alaska
With a total population of approximately 32,702, the cost of crime is $5,273 for every resident in Fairbanks, Alaska. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $172,437,646.
North Little Rock, Arkansas
With a total population of approximately 64,162, the cost of crime is $5,494 for every resident in North Little Rock, Arkansas. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $352,506,028.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
With a total population of approximately 53,957, the cost of crime is $5,647 for every resident in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $304,695,179.
Houma, Louisiana
With a total population of approximately 33,018, the cost of crime is $6,920 for every resident in Houma, Louisiana. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $228,484,560.
Portsmouth, Virginia
With a total population of approximately 97,840, the cost of crime is $7,253 for every resident in Portsmouth, Virginia. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $709,633,520.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
With a total population of approximately 40,244, the cost of crime is $7,935 for every resident in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $319,336,140.
Alexandria, Louisiana
With a total population of approximately 44,787, the cost of crime is $7,955 for every resident in Alexandria, Louisiana. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $356,280,585.
Florence, South Carolina
With a total population of approximately 39,958, the cost of crime is $8,521 for every resident in Florence, South Carolina. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $340,482,118.
Saginaw, Michigan
With a total population of approximately 43,854, the cost of crime is $8,856 for every resident in Saginaw, Michigan. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $388,371,024.
Petersburg, Virginia
With a total population of approximately 33,429, the cost of crime is $8,867 for every resident in Petersburg, Virginia. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $296,414,943.
Monroe, Louisiana
Taking the #1 spot is Monroe, Louisiana. With a total population of approximately 47,284, the cost of crime is $8,902 for every resident in Monroe, Louisiana. This brings the total financial burden that residents have to pay every year in at $420,922,168.
