Alaska Crime Rate in 2024 – 5 Most Dangerous Cities

Alaska, often perceived as a vast and sparsely populated state, has challenges when it comes to crime and safety.

With its diverse geography ranging from remote villages to bustling cities, understanding crime rates is crucial for residents and visitors alike.

At the moment, Alaska crime rate is at 25.48, with 1 in 132 people having a chance of being a victim of a crime.

Through this analysis, we aim to provide a clearer picture of where crime is most prevalent and discuss potential reasons behind these trends. Ultimately, this article will help you get a better understanding of why Alaska is so dangerous.

5. Bethel – 15.16 per 1000 People

Bethel exhibits a high violent crime rate of 12.45 per 1000 people and a total crime rate of 15.16 per 1000.

While the property rate is significantly lower than the national average, at 86% below, violent crime is 237% higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.

The city’s crime issues are compounded by significant socio-economic challenges, including high poverty and unemployment rates, alongside prevalent gang activities.

Violent Crime Rate

Bethel’s violent crime rate is 4.47 per 1,000 residents per year, which includes crimes such as assault, robbery, rape, and murder, according to Crime Grade.

Property Crime Rate

Crime Grade also reports that Bethel’s property crime rate is 39.82 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary, vehicle theft, and arson, making it one of the more prevalent crime categories in the city.

Crime Decline

According to AreaVibes, crime in Bethel has decreased by 24% year over year, indicating a downward trend in overall criminal activity in 2024.

4. Juneau – 23.51 per 1000 People

Juneau, a town with 32,061 population (according to Travel Juneau), shows a violent crime rate of 6.20 per 1000 and a total crime rate of 23.51 per 1000.

Juneau’s violent crime rate is 68% higher than the state average, higher than many other communities of similar size across the nation.

Property Crime Rate

According to NeighborhoodScout, property crimes, including theft, burglary, and vehicle theft, occur at a rate of 17 per 1,000 residents. The likelihood of becoming a victim of property crime in Juneau is 1 in 58.

Aggravated Assault Incidents

Statistics provided by CityRating show that, in 2024, it is projected that there will be around 302 aggravated assault cases in Juneau.

3. Wasilla – 35.99 per 1000 People

In Wasilla, the population of 10,223 (as per World Population Review) faces a violent crime rate of 5.46 per 1000 and a total crime rate of 36 per 1000.

The city has struggled with crime for many years, significantly impacted by socioeconomic factors such as poverty and unemployment.

Violent Crime Rate

The violent crime rate is 5.46 per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout. This includes offenses such as murder, assault, and robbery. Residents have a 1 in 183 chance of experiencing violent crime.

Property Crime Rate

NeighborhoodScout stats also show that the property crime rate is significantly higher at 30.89 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. Residents face a 1 in 32 chance of being a victim of property crime.

Year-over-Year Increase

Crime in Wasilla has increased by 24% compared to the previous year, with property crimes seeing the largest rise, according to AreaVibes.

2. Anchorage – 38.97 per 1000 People

As the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is the second most dangerous city to live in since crime rates are alarming, with 11.51 violent crimes per 1000 people and a total of 38.97 crimes per 1000, as NeighborhoodScout states.

It is alarming when you know that violent crime is 211% higher than at the federal level, which was covered in the AreaVibes report.

These figures have remained persistent over the years, highlighting areas within the city that are particularly prone to crime.

Murder and Homicide Trends

According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, in 2024, Anchorage recorded 30 homicides, slightly below its 2017 record of 37. However, homicides in Alaska as a whole spiked by 67% between 2021 and 2022.

Property Crime Decline

Property crimes in Anchorage have decreased by 2.7% as of 2024, showing some improvement in areas such as theft and burglary, as per Alaska Arrests.

1. Fairbanks – 52.26 per 1000 People

Fairbanks reports a violent crime rate of 8.44 per 1000 and a staggering total crime rate of 52.26 per 1000, according to Crime Grade. Therefore, you can see why Alaska crime rate gets a large chunk from Fairbanks.

That makes it one of the cities with the highest crime rates in the state.

The distribution of crime in Fairbanks is uneven, with certain neighborhoods facing much higher crime rates compared to others. The current trend is a rising number of assaults, as we can see in the Public Safety Report.

Property Crime

The property crime rate in Fairbanks is 43.82 per 1,000 residents. NeighborhoodScout reports that the most common property crimes include theft, burglary, and vehicle theft, with the chance of becoming a victim being 1 in 23.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Fairbanks ranks among the highest in the U.S. for motor vehicle theft, with a 1 in 191 chance of having a vehicle stolen, as per City-Data.

Assault and Rape Rates

Crime Grade also reported that in 2024, the assault rate in Fairbanks was 0.93 per 1,000 residents, and the rape rate stood at 1.44 per 1,000 residents.

Alaska Crime Overview

Now let us take a look at the Alaska crime rate and current trends.

Spike in Murders Despite Overall Crime Decline

In 2022, we witnessed a significant 67% increase in murders in Alaska as AlaskasNewsSource states, with 70 homicides compared to 42 in 2021.

The rise contrasts with an overall 1.6% decline in criminal offenses reported statewide, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s annual Crime in Alaska Report.

Commissioner Bryan Barlow noted that while the spike in murders is concerning, other crime categories, such as property crimes and major offenses like sexual assault, have seen declines.

Property crimes dropped by 2.7%, and reports of sexual assault decreased by nearly 6%. The report also highlighted a 3.8% drop in robbery cases, although aggravated assaults rose by 4.1%.

Trends in Violent and Property Crimes

Alaska’s crime statistics reveal a complex picture. While the overall Alaska crime rate has been on a downward trend since 2018, driven largely by reductions in property crime, the state continues to grapple with high rates of violent crime.

The Alaska Justice Information Center presented data to the state Senate Judiciary Committee showing that despite a global decline in crime rates, Alaska’s rates of violent crime have been gradually rising, particularly rape and aggravated assault.

Since 2013, Alaska’s reported rape rate has been three to four times the national average, a trend that has remained consistent.

Decrease in Property Crimes

Property crime rates in Alaska have seen a notable decrease, continuing a trend over the past four years. Burglary rates fell by more than 15% and are now well below the national average.

However, there were anomalies, such as a short-lived spike in auto thefts from 2015 to 2020. The overall decline in property crime has significantly contributed to the reduction in total Alaska crime rate, even as violent crimes remain a pressing issue.

The Role of Law Enforcement and Public Policy

Governor Mike Dunleavy and Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell have emphasized their commitment to public safety. The repeal of the catch-and-release SB 91 legislation and other significant investments in law enforcement have been credited with contributing to the overall decline in crime.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist, particularly in addressing violent crimes such as murders in Alaska and aggravated assault. The state’s annual crime report, part of a nationwide effort to track crime data, underscores the importance of continued vigilance and resource allocation to ensure public safety.

Methodology

For analysis of Alaska crime rate, I rely on the crime data annually published by the different sources like NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes, which use data collected from government sources.

This data is released in two key segments: a preliminary overview focused on the nation’s largest cities, followed by a detailed year-end report.

In pursuing a nuanced examination, our study predominantly concentrated on the state of Alaska to get a more rounded state-wide perspective.

The Bottom Line

This review of the five most dangerous cities in Alaska highlights the varied nature of crime across the state. While some areas struggle more with violent crimes, others face high rates of property crimes.

Collaborative efforts between community members and law enforcement are essential for effectively reducing these crime rates.

Looking forward, all residents must engage in and support crime reduction initiatives to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

References

• AreaVibes – Most Dangerous Cities in Alaska (2024)
• CrimeGrade – The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Alaska
• NeighborhoodScout – Alaska Crime Rates and Statistics
• CityRating – Juneau Crime Rate Report (Alaska)
• WorldPopulationReview – Alaska Population 2024
• Alaska Department of Public Safety – Alaska Department of Public Safety Releases Annual Crime in Alaska Report
• Alaska Arrests – Crime in Alaska: 2024 Trends and Concerns
• Daily News-Miner – Public Safety Report
• Alaska’s News Source – Murders in Alaska spike
• JuneauEmpire – Rapes and aggravated assaults push Alaska’s violent-crime rates up; property-crime rates fall