Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah
Utah, known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, is generally considered a safe state. However, like any other place, it has areas with higher crime rates. Here are the 10 most dangerous places in Utah based on crime statistics from 2012:
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South Salt Lake: In 2012, South Salt Lake had the most violent crimes per capita in the state. Tragically, many of these were murders, which also ranked highest per capita. The city also had the second-highest number of property crimes, contributing to its overall ranking as the second most dangerous city in Utah.
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Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City topped the list for property crimes in 2012 and had the second-highest number of violent crimes. While it didn't have as many murders per capita as South Salt Lake, it still ranked fourth for murders. Residents in Salt Lake City had a 1 in 12 chance of being a crime victim.
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Ogden: Ogden had the third-highest number of both violent and property crimes per capita in 2012, making it the third most dangerous city in Utah. Residents here had a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to a crime.
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Washington: With the eighth most violent crimes in the state, Washington was higher on the list for murders, ranking third per capita. It also had the sixth-highest number of property crimes, resulting in its overall ranking as the sixth most dangerous city in Utah.
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Tooele: Despite being known as the "Greatest City in Utah," Tooele had the fourth-highest number of property crimes and the fifth-highest number of violent crimes per capita in 2012. The city had no murders, but assaults, robberies, and rapes contributed to a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a crime victim.
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Brigham City: Brigham City, famous for its peaches and LDS Temple, surprisingly had the fourth-highest number of violent crimes per capita. It also ranked fifth for property crimes, making it the fifth most dangerous city in Utah. Fortunately, it had no murders, but residents had a 1 in 25 chance of being a victim of any crime.
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Cedar City: Cedar City had the fifth-highest number of murders and the sixth-highest number of violent crimes per capita in 2012. While it ranked 14th for property crimes, its high violent crime rate earned it a spot as one of Utah's more dangerous cities.
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Sandy: Sandy, located in Salt Lake County, ranked eighth for murders and total crimes per capita. It also ranked ninth for property crimes and 11th for violent crimes. Although most violent crimes were assaults, there were also robberies, rapes, and two murders in 2012. Residents in Sandy had a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a crime victim.
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West Jordan: West Jordan experienced two murders in 2012, tying it with Sandy for the eighth most murders per capita in the state. It also had a high number of violent crimes, ranking ninth in Utah. Considering the population is just over 107,000, this translates to a significant number of violent crimes per person.
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Payson: While Payson might seem like the ideal small city, it had the second most murders per capita in the state in 2012. It fared slightly better in the broader category of violent crimes per capita, ranking 22nd. Nevertheless, it had a high number of property crimes (eighth-highest) and, consequently, ranked ninth for total crimes in Utah.
Remember that while these cities may have ranked higher in terms of crime rates in 2012, conditions can change over time. It's always essential to stay informed about your local community's safety and take precautions to protect yourself and your property.