We’ve written before about some of the safest or best places to live in Indiana, but what about the worst places to live in Indiana, especially after dark? Visiting new cities and towns can be thrilling, but you might want to take extra precautions in these towns. According to FBI crime statistics on violent crimes in Indiana from a few years ago, these 12 cities are actually the most dangerous cities in Indiana.

Disclaimer: Cities are ranked per capita, not per number of violent crimes.

1. Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN, USA
Jimmy Balkovicius/Flickr
It might not surprise you that, as the largest city in the state, Indianapolis clocks in as the #1 most dangerous place in Indiana, with over 9,000 violent crimes occurring annually. It shakes down to 11 violent acts per 1,000 people.

Get an in-depth look at Indianapolis:

2. Boonville
Boonville, IN 47601, USA
Nyttend/wikimedia
With approximately 6,000 residents, Boonville likely isn't on your radar as being a dangerous town. And while it doesn't have the second-highest number of violent crimes, it does have the second-highest number per capita. Like Indianapolis, Boonville also breaks down to 11 violent crimes per 1,000 people.
3. Jeffersonville
Jeffersonville, IN, USA
Censusdata/wikimedia
The number 3 slot goes to Jeffersonville which sees 454 violent crimes per its 45,000 residents per year. Jeffersonville has high numbers, particularly for aggravated assaults and robberies. While there might be some crime here, there are also some great restaurants in Jeffersonville.
4. East Chicago
East Chicago, IN, USA
David B/Google
Next, we have East Chicago with an average of 9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Robberies top this of violent crimes, with a stunning 134 per year.

Take a closer look at East Chicago:

5. Gary
Gary, IN, USA
Minista Jazz/Google
Gary, Indiana has a pretty bad rap when it comes to crime, so it's not a surprise that it's on this list as one of the most dangerous places to avoid in Indiana. It is, however, interesting that it's much lower than many Hoosiers would expect, with 8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
6. North Judson
North Judson, IN 46366, USA
vxla/Flickr
North Judson is a tiny town of approximately 1,781 residents, but they see as many as 14 violent crimes per year, matching Gary's 8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. There is some great hiking here, though. Check out the North Judson Erie Trail.

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7. South Bend
South Bend, IN, USA
Alex Giles/Google
South Bend, Indiana is another major city in the state, so its spot on this list is pretty expected. They see roughly 744 violent crimes per year.

Get an aerial view of South Bend:

8. Muncie
Muncie, IN, USA
Jdbrendel/wikimedia
Muncie is also a pretty big city in our state and it's next on the list of dangerous cities after dark, with close to 400 incidents of aggravated assault per year. Check out more about Muncie, Indiana.
9. Hammond
Hammond, IN, USA
HammondMan/wikimedia
Hammond clocks in at #9 with approximately 7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. They have a fairly high number of robberies with over 400 occurring per year. The crime rates might seem scary, but the real scares come from this haunted mansion in Hammond, Indiana.
10. Waterloo
Waterloo, IN 46793, USA
MrHarman/wikimedia
Waterloo, Indiana has plenty of historic homes and a ton of charm, but it's number 10 on this list with 14 violent crimes annually across its just over 2,000 population.
11. Lafayette
Lafayette, IN, USA
Qsthomson/wikimedia
Lafayette is popular for many reasons... and crime is one of them. This bustling little city has over 408 crimes happening each year. One of the good reasons for its popularity is the pretty Prophetstown State Park.
12. Scottsburg
Scottsburg, IN 47170, USA
Bedford/wikimedia
Rounding out this list is historic Scottsburg, with 40 violent crimes per year per its 6,000+ residents. There are also lots of haunted happenings in this town. Learn about the paranormal activity of Scottsburg, Indiana.

Did any of these dangerous cities in Indiana surprise you? For a bit of a pick-me-up, check out these 10 perfectly sized cities.in Indiana.

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More to Explore

Most Dangerous Places in Indiana

Danielle Schwartz | July 29, 2022

What are the safest cities in Indiana?

The safest cities in Indiana include:

  • Lowell
  • Auburn
  • Nappanee

 

Looking for a spot to settle down or take a nice, low-key trip? Check out any of the safest cities in Indiana and you'll find some great options. Lowell is the safest town in the state, with all the crime rates going down, and about 9500 residents in total. A close second is Auburn, where crime is extremely rare in all forms. And the third-safest place to call home in Indiana is Nappanee. There are less than 7000 people in this nice town and you won't experience scary crimes here.

What are the best small towns in Indiana?

The best small towns in Indiana include:

  • Angola
  • Nashville
  • Beverly Shores

 

The best small towns in Indiana are the ones with lots of charm and beauty. They are perfect for a day trip or even a big move if you're looking for a change. Angola is a great choice if you like history, as you'll find a well-known monument to the Civil War here. If you enjoy art and culture, check out Nashville for a trip to the Brown City Art Colony. Beverly Shores is a "dark-sky" city, meaning that you can really see the stars at night while you're here.

What are the oldest towns in Indiana?

The oldest towns in Indiana include:

  • Vincennes
  • Fort Wayne

 

The oldest towns in Indiana are full of history, so if you're hoping to learn more about the Hoosier State, you've come to the right place. Vincennes is an exciting spot that features amazing architecture. You won't believe your eyes- it's like stepping into another era to come to this lovely town. Fort Wayne is another gorgeous spot, which was officially made a town by George Washington in the 1790s.

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