Nicknamed the Magnolia State, Mississippi has a population of 2.95 million people.
It’s bordered by Tennessee and Alabama.
The name Mississippi is Native American for “great waters.”
Most of the state is made up of farmland and forest.
Mississippi is home to corporations like Sanderson Farms (poultry company), Peavey Electronics, and Cal-Maine Foods (eggs).
The world’s largest pecan nursery is in Mississippi.
It’s also known as the catfish and sweet potato capital of the world.
The state also has its share of famous people, with Oprah, Elvis, Morgan Freeman, BB King, and Channing Tatum among them.
Last year, the state of Mississippi saw 52,708 property crimes (17.8 per 1,000 residents) and 7,490 violent crimes (2.5 per 1,000 residents).
The capital city of Jackson reported 130 murders in 2022.
This accounted for 50% of the state’s homicides.
The chances of being a victim of violent crime in Mississippi is 1 in 394 and property crime is 1in 56.
While the overall crime rate in the state is relatively low, ranking 27th in the United States, some cities are overrun with crime.
The fact that it’s the poorest state in the country may have something to do with it.
Below is a list of the 10 most dangerous cities in Mississippi.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities In Mississippi
10. Flowood, Mississippi
Flowood is a town in Western Mississippi with a population of 10,200 people.
It was part of a “dry” (alcohol-free) county, until 2009 when the city council passed an ordinance allowing alcohol to be served by the glass in restaurants and hotels.
It is recommended that if you have business in Jackson, you stay in Flowood.
Being only 16 miles outside of the capital city, it has many hotels to choose from.
The median income in Flowood is $24,000 and the poverty rate is 13%.
The chances of being a victim of crime in the town are 1 in 49.
Based on its size, it is safer than 12% of other cities.
Last year there were 22 violent crimes and 189 property crimes.
9. Philadelphia, Mississippi
With a population of 6,995, Philadelphia is the county seat of Neshoba County.
One of its main attractions is the iconic William’s Brothers General Store that’s been in business since 1907.
It’s also the site of the infamous 1964 murders of 3 civil rights activists.
Their murders ignited the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
A memorial in their honor sits at the site where their bodies were found.
In Philadelphia, 28% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Last year, there was a total of 76 crimes.
Violent crimes made up 11 of those crimes, while 65 were property crimes.
The chances of being a victim of a property crime in Philadelphia are 1 in 33.
When visiting the town, people should be most concerned about robbery and motor vehicle theft.
8. Greenville, Mississippi
Nicknamed the “Queen of the Delta”, Greenville has a population of 34,400 people.
It is the site of historic cotton plantations that survived when most of Greenville was destroyed during the Civil War.
It’s located in central Mississippi and is the county seat of Washington county.
With the largest river port in the state, they are able to produce and export products like chemicals and textiles.
Greenville is the birthplace of Muppets creator Jim Henson and home to the Kermit the Frog Museum.
While the city is low in violent crime, the 30% poverty rate causes a lot of property crime.
The chances of being a property crime victim in Greenville is 1 in 64.
Last year there were 930 thefts and 961 burglaries.
This makes the city safer than only 4% of other cities its size.
7. Greenwood, Mississippi
Located in central Mississippi, Greenwood has a population of 15,200.
It lies on the banks of the Yazoo river and was once the top cotton producer in the state.
After cotton production was automated, the town switched to soybean production and saw great success with that crop.
It’s part of the Mississippi Blues Trail and was a major part of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s.
The murder rate is low in the city, but property crime is very high.
This makes Greenwood only 4% safer than other cities its size.
Last year they saw 197 burglaries and 674 thefts.
People in Greenwood have a 1 in 26 chance of being the victim of a property crime.
6. McComb, Mississippi
Located in Southern Mississippi, about 80 miles outside of Jackson, McComb has a population of 12,800.
Like much of Mississippi, McComb is known for its place in the fight for civil rights during the 1960s.
It was the site of the most violent violence perpetrated on protesters in the entire state, with 11 bombings, assaults by KKK members, and murders.
Today, the town is known for being the home to the Pile School of Art and McComb Railroad Museum.
While 27% of the population lives below the poverty line, property crime is a huge issue in McComb.
If you’re in the city, there’s a 1 in 26 chance you’ll be a victim of burglary or theft.
Last year there were a total of 570 property crimes and 93 violent crimes.
Greenwood is considered only 3% safer than other cities its size.
5. Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is located in southwest Mississippi and has a population of 21,928.
It sits on a high bluff on the banks of the Mississippi River.
There are many examples of historical architecture around the city, including plantations.
The town is home to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for over 17,000 Union and Confederate soldiers.
Coca-Cola was first bottled in Vicksburg and the first African American female doctor was born here.
According to sources, Vicksburg is safer than only 4% of cities its size.
Last year there were a total of 885 crimes in Vicksburg.
Violent crimes accounted for 139 (6.6 per 1,000) and property crimes totaled 746 (45.6 per 1,000).
The chances of being a property crime victim are 1 in 26.
4. Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the 7th largest city in Mississippi with a population of 36,873.
Located in the eastern central hills region of the state, it’s known for its unique downtown architecture, museums, and cultural celebrations.
It’s also the birthplace of the “father of country music”, Jimmie Rodgers.
Last year, Meridian saw 181 violent crimes, including 14 murders, 16 sexual assaults, 73 robberies, and 79 aggravated assaults.
Property crimes totaled 1,475. Meridian is safer than 8% of cities its size.
The chances of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 34.
3. Cleveland, Mississippi
Named after President Grover Cleveland, the city had a population of 11,199.
Located in the heart of the Delta, Cleveland runs along the Mississippi River.
According to blues legend, BB King, it was here that blues music was born.
The GRAMMY museum is also located in Cleveland.
When visiting, there is an eclectic mix of boutiques, eateries, and antique shops.
Use caution, however, since it’s only safer than 2% of comparable cities.
Last year, there were 99 violent crimes (9 per 1,000 people) and 501 property crimes (45 per 1,000 people).
The chances of being a victim of violent crime in Cleveland are 1 in 110 and property crime is 1 in 22.
2. Pascagoula, Mississippi
With a population of 21,610, Pascagoula is located near the Gulf of Mexico.
Because of this, it’s got one of the busiest ports in the state.
It’s also home to Mississippi’s largest employer, Huntington-Ingalls shipbuilders.
It’s also home to Chevron Oil’s largest refinery and the Rolls Royce automotive headquarters.
Overall, the crime rate in Pascagoula is 50 per 1,000 people.
It’s considered safer that only 2% of other cities its size.
Last year there was a total of 1,241 property crimes.
The chances of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 21.
There were a total of 56 violent crimes in the city, including 4 murders, 22 sexual assaults, and 19 robberies.
1. Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi and has a population of 153,701.
It’s named for President Andrew Jackson and has many historical sites.
It was the heart of the civil rights movement and where civil rights activist Medgar Evers was murdered in his driveway.
Celebrities that hail from Jackson include Morgan Freeman and Channing Tatum.
Though it’s considered the medical, finance, and legal center of the state, it also has a poverty rate of 24%.
In 2020, Jackson had the 2nd highest homicide rate in the country with 79.69 per 100,000 residents.
It was second only to St. Louis.
Overall, Jackson is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, sandwiched between St. Louis and Detroit.
Last year saw 1,288 violent crimes, including 130 murders.
Property crimes numbered 6,425.
This makes the overall chance of becoming a crime victim in Jackson 1 in 20.
5 Safety Tips For Visiting Mississippi
- Ask the locals. Most people are super friendly and will be happy to tell you where to go and where to avoid them.
- Travel in groups. This goes for all unfamiliar areas.
- Tell your friends and family where you’ll be staying.
- Be careful at ATMs. Keep your guard up and don’t use them if they look sketchy.
- Don’t be cheap. Pay extra for things if it makes you safer.
Mississippi Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Mississippi Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public transportation safe in Mississippi?
Yes.
For the most part, there is very little crime on any public transportation.
But always use caution and common sense.
What are the chances of getting mugged in Mississippi?
The chances of being mugged in Mississippi are actually very low.
Unless you are in the larger, more dangerous cities of Jackson, Biloxi, and Vicksburg.
What areas should I avoid in Mississippi?
Unless you have business there, Jackson is the place to avoid in the state.
