The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alaska

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Alaska For 2024

While Fairbanks, Alaska might rank 2nd in population, it ranks highest in total crime for 2024. Its thriving downtown community with lots of entertainment cannot make up for the fact that Fairbanks ranks highest in Alaska for property crime.

Unlike other more remote cities in Alaska, Fairbanks receives a large amount of tourism throughout the year. It is one of the best places to watch the northern lights during the Aurora season and has the summer sun 24 hours a day throughout the summer. It is also home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which houses a large number of college students. These factors contribute to the large amount of property crime the area experiences given its year round population.

As one of the largest cities in Alaska featured on our list of the most dangerous places, Anchorage has a population of more than 285,821, which puts it in 1st in terms of size. It is second in terms of dangerous cities in the state.

Specifically, Anchorage is known for its high levels of violent crimes, aggravated assaults, and property crimes. In 2022, there were 3,289 violent crimes, 2,332 aggravated assaults, and 7,900 property crimes reports in the city. Anchorage also ranks 1st for the number of burglaries it reported in the same year.

Anchorage is known for its stunning glaciers and wildlife, as well as its residential community of artists and musicians.

Located on the northern part of Cook Inlet, Wasilla is one of the largest cities in the state of Alaska. It ranks 5th in population with 9,809 residents. It is easily one of the more dangerous cities in Alaska.

Specifically, Wasilla has a problem with property crimes and burglaries. It ranks 12th for burglaries and second highest in property crimes in 2022. It might not be the best place to move your family to.

Unrelated to its status as a dangerous city, Wasilla is the headquartered for the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It is also known for being the home of Sarah Palin.

Kotzebue, Alaska is a community located just north of the Arctic Circle, with a very large population of Inupiat people. The village was once a trading center for indigenous groups. Today, the small community of 3,041 people has a problem with dangerous crime levels.

For 2024, Kotzebue ranks 3rd for rape and second highest violent crimes, which equates to 7 rapes and 46 reported in the 2022 reporting year. This is a very large amount for a population that is so small.

The city, located in the Northwest Arctic Borough on the Baldwin Peninsula, is fairly close in proximity to Russia. It does not have a large tourism industry.

Juneau, the state capital, is also one of the most dangers in Alaska based on the most recently release of FBI crime data. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this city has appeared on our list — it has made it every year since we started ranking cities in 2015.

While it’s very hard to exit or enter the city, the people that do live there seem to steal and cheat each other a little more than you’d like in the Last Frontier state. Burglary is the main problem as the city ranks fifth highest for burglaries this year.

And while Juneau is relatively dangerous for the state, you should worry more about being safe on the gorgeous glacier adventures you can experience around the city.

Dillingham is also known as Curyung. It is located in southwestern Alaska near the Nushagak Bay. It remains near the largest salmon fishery in the world.

Despite its remote location that you can only reach by air or boat, Dillingham faces its fair share of challenges with local crime rates. In 2022, it ranks 15th in murder. If that wasn’t enough, the city ranked fifth highest for violent crimes.

Many of the city’s residents live near each other along the main Aleknagik Lake Road that goes to the business district, where jobs are more plentiful. It is not connected to other cities by a statewide road system.

Are you into dog sledding? Like, really into dog sledding? Like, bore your friends at every party discussing the intricacies of harnesses and brushbow maintenance?

Well, then Nome might be the place for you. The town represents the finish line for the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which begins in Anchorage, more than 900 miles away.

However, if you come for the Iditarod, better stay alert. Nome can get rowdy. The town reported 72 violent crimes last year in a town of just 3,546 people. At that rate, you’re more likely to get bitten by a Nome resident than by one of the sled dogs. In fact, the city ranks number 1 in Alaska in terms of the per-capita pace of violent crimes.

Located along the mouth of a Kenai River, Kenai, Alaska is a small town that holds the title of the eighth most dangerous place to live in the state for 2024. With a population of just 7,713 residents, its total crime per capita is 2,307/100k. It leads the state in total crimes, property crimes, and murder.

Compared to the other cities and towns in Alaska, Kenai ranks 5th in murders and fifth highest for property crimes based on the 2022 data year. Considering its very small population when compared to other cities in Alaska, the 152 property crimes and 138 larceny cases reported in 2022 is a lot for residents to worry about.

Palmer, a city in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska, is considered one of the most dangerous places to live in. With a population of 6,305, Palmer has a concerning crime rate. The city ranks ninth highest in terms of property and violent crime. In the last reporting year, Palmer recorded 29 incidents of violent crime.

Situated in the Matanuska Valley, Palmer offers access to the Talkeetna Mountains and Hatcher Pass, popular hiking and skiing destinations. Because it is somewhat of a tourist destination, the temporary influx in people leads to higher than average crime rates.

The North Pole has a bit of a reputation for being the reputed home of Santa Claus. However, North Pole, Alaska actually does not have much to do with the mythical place or the city in the center of the Arctic Circle. Rather, it is a town of 2,335 people living in central Alaska.

North Pole, Alaska is more dangerous for your stuff than it is for your physical body. For 2024, it ranks 6th for burglary and fourth highest for property crimes.

It is located just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, another one of the cities recognized in this year’s list of the most dangerous cities in Alaska.

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