Iconic city with vibrant music scene is now the most dangerous place to live in America

Memphis, Tennessee, once known for its blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll music, has now turned into a haven for crime and drug abuse.

A study by WalletHub has named the southern city the most dangerous city to live in America among 182 cities surveyed.

Also the US Department of Justice declared that this once thriving metropolis has the highest number of murders: 129 in the first half of 2024.

In addition, 167 rapes, 1,028 robberies and 3,763 cases of aggravated assault were reported in Memphis in the first half of 2024.

This cultural hotspot also has a crime rate of 98 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants, which is significant higher compared to many other cities in the country.

A study by WalletHub found that of 182 cities surveyed, Memphis is the most dangerous city to live in in America

The US Department of Justice also stated that this once-thriving metro has the highest number of homicides: 129 in the first half of 2024

Memphis’ violent crime rate is also higher than the national average: a whopping 24.37 per 1,000 residents.

In September, Justin Johnson pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph and sentenced him to life in prison.

Prosecutors had argued during the trial that Johnson and another man, Cornelius Smith, opened fire outside Makeda’s Cookie Shop, where the rapper — whose real name is Adolph Thornton Jr. is – was buying treats for his mother.

Two months ago, a male and a female babysitter were accused of beating a girl so hard that she bled from her rectum before her death.

The US Department of Justice also stated that this once-thriving city has the highest number of homicides: 129 in the first half of 2024.

Justin Johnson was found guilty of murder in the shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph on Thursday

Kiya Moore, 21, and her boyfriend Dejon Smith, 34, were charged with first-degree murder after Moore’s one-year-old niece Kali Moore was found dead.

Doctors said she had a skull and neck fracture, massive bruising on her back and rectal bleeding when they examined her body.

Further investigation revealed a brain hemorrhage, a bruised kidney, high enzymes in her liver consistent with abdominal trauma, and blood in her lungs.

Chip Lupo, a writer and analyst for WalletHub, commented on the overall violence in the city, noting that the only way the city could reduce its criminal activity would be by investing in its “underserved communities.”

Kali Moore was pronounced dead after being rushed to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis in August

Kiya Moore, 21, and her boyfriend Dejon Smith, 34, were charged with first-degree murder. Moore is the baby’s aunt

“Economic disparities, rising drug use and social disintegration often lead to higher crime rates in the cities at the bottom of the rankings,” the expert told Newsweek.

‘Improving safety nationally is a complex task. A good start would be for local policymakers to advocate for increased investment in underserved communities by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and improving education, all of which can help reduce inequality and support at-risk populations in the community,” he said.

‘Additionally, reforming police practices, with an emphasis on transparency and strengthening community relations, can also go a long way [if] properly implemented,” he added.

The study compared more than 180 cities on 41 key indicators of safety, including home and community safety, such as mass shootings, homicides, assaults, thefts, drug poisoning and traffic fatalities; the risk of natural disasters, including the risk of earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires; and financial security, including unemployment rates, poverty, insurance, and fraud.

In addition to Memphis, the agency also named Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Louisiana’s Baton Rouge and New Orleans as some of the other dangerous cities in America.