Frankly, is this really surprising? California is known to have an outrageous number of homeless people, prices are higher over there, and it’s slowly sinking into the ocean. Californians have much to worry about, so all these issues combined can make anyone lose their rocker. The sunny state is said to have 1,929 homicides as of 2023.
There could also be the possibility that some of these homicides are accidental. Homeless people are fighting for the basic right to live easily and contentedly – who wouldn’t do anything for the bare necessities? California has a lot on its plate, and the title “State with the Most Murders” isn’t very comforting to anyone. For your sake, it might be best to avoid this one!
In the state where everything is big, it looks like it really is everything, including the number of homicides. According to statista.com, in 2023, Texas had 1,845 murders, putting it right below California. Why do you think Texas has so many homicides?
Could it be that the cowboy state is stuck in the Wild West, and Texans are prone to revert to gunfights rather than conversation? Or is it simply due to the size of the state that makes for a large amount of homicides to be possible? The more land, the more people, and therefore, more chances of murder.
Okay, this one is kind of surprising. You wouldn’t even consider Illinois to be on this list, but you also wouldn’t usually think about this state at all. Maybe that’s why there are a significant number of homicides in Illinois: it’s tired of being forgotten and ignored.
As of 2023, “The Prairie State” had 823 homicides – a much smaller number than the two previous states, but still enough to place it on this list. As a midwestern state, there isn’t much to see in Illinois besides farmlands, rolling hills and wetlands, and forests. Perhaps the lack of invigorating environments and natural diversity is enough to make people lose their sanity and revert to not-so-nice acts.
With over 13 million residents, the “Quaker State” takes fourth place of the states with the most murders. Pennsylvania had 861 homicides – not as much as California, but slightly more than Illinois. I can’t help but wonder why the state has an abundance of murders that it gets a spot on this list.
What is making Pennsylvanians revert to violence? New York and Washington are hours away, so you can go on weekend trips if you need a new environment. There are also art museums, city life, more secluded country, and even an amusement park! If you live in Pennsylvania, do you have any idea why homicides are concerningly plentiful in the state?
Right below Illinois is Georgia, with 782 homicides as of 2023. The capital city, Atlanta, is home to Martin Luther King Jr.’s National Historic Site, so where is the peace and unified living? Are the peaches not living up to their reputation? Maybe there isn’t a specific reason for these homicides, and it's simply the wrong place, wrong time, and unfortunate circumstances.
If you’re a Georgia native, do you witness much violence? Have you heard stories? Are you now considering moving after seeing where Georgia lies on this list? Don’t worry too much, though. At least you’re not over the thousand mark! There’s still time to see some progress.
Not far from Georgia is North Carolina, a state that places fifth on the list with 855 homicides. It’s slightly more than the “Peach State,” so perhaps North Carolina’s reputation of violence bled over to Georgia. Regardless, the southeastern state has a significant amount of violent acts committed.
I wonder if the homicides take place away from the lovely environment of the ocean. The beach is a place of contentment and fun, so maybe those who aren’t near the watery landscape revert to such violent acts. If you live in North Carolina, does the number alarm you, or are you not surprised?
This is another one that is not surprising whatsoever. New York may be known as the “Big Apple” and a city of possibility, but violence is, unfortunately, inevitable with that possibility and enormous population. However, what is surprising is where the City sits on the list.
New York is the 11th state on the list, with 595 homicides in 2023. It’s a surprising oxymoron: a city partly known for its abounding violence is, apparently, not so violent. Maybe all those restaurants and cafes keep New Yorkers content and happy with their delicious food and drinks.
Above New York is Ohio, with 639 homicides in 2023. Ohio being on the list isn’t surprising to me for some reason. It’s always the ones you least expect who you need to look out for. The Midwest state does house the House of Rock…it looks like some rock-and-roll lovers got a little too out of hand.
The state also houses Lake Erie, which is fitting for the circumstances. Ohio has an eerie feel to it, with its presumed barrenness, and the fact that it is on a list of “States with the Most Murders” makes this…well eerie. Ohio has some booming cities, too, which might be likely where the homicides occur.
Residing the spot below New York, Michigan had 591 homicides as of 2023. The upper Midwest state sees some displays of violence, but not so much that it’s an almost everyday occurrence. Some of the Great Lakes also border Michigan – that’s a lot of fresh water for some people to go “missing.”
Michigan is great for nature-inclined folks. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping, you’re in your element, but that’s also a great atmosphere for not-so-friendly individuals. While you may not run into any homicidal people on the daily, keep an eye out for any suspicious Michigan natives!
Out of the ten states on this list, Virginia has the least homicides. According to statista.com, the “Mother of Presidents” state had 520 murders in 2023. Not so presidential, don’t you think? What would the founding fathers think of this brutality?
Virginia has a lot of historical significance—it was one of the original 13 colonies, has several historic landmarks, and is home to the Jamestown settlement. This history has accumulated over the years and is now potentially causing the state to have a history of homicides.
