20 Most Dangerous States for 2009

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Alex Brandon, AP

Better Lock Your Doors!

The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 20 states were ranked as the most dangerous for 2009.

States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.

Click through our gallery and see if your state made the list.

First Up: The No. 1 Most Dangerous

No. 1: Nevada

For the sixth consecutive year, Nevada tops the rankings as the nation's Most Dangerous State.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 8
Burglary: 8
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 1
Rape: 7
Robbery: 1

Next: No. 2 Most Dangerous

No. 2: Louisiana

In 2007, Louisiana was only the 10th most dangerous state. In 2008, it climbed to No. 2 and this year it stays there. It has the highest murder rate of any state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 2
Burglary: 3
Murder: 1
Motor Vehicle Theft: 17
Rape: 24
Robbery: 18

Next: No. 3 Most Dangerous

No. 3: South Carolina

Whatever happened to Southern hospitality? Sunny South Carolina is charged with the highest assault problem in the Most Dangerous States list

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 1
Burglary: 4
Murder: 5
Motor Vehicle Theft: 14
Rape: 10
Robbery: 17

Next: No. 5 Most Dangerous

No. 4: New Mexico

New Mexico's coiffed tourist image of open desert spaces, Earth-conscious living and colorful hot-air balloons belie a serious crime problem in this border state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 5
Burglary: 9
Murder: 4
Motor Vehicle Theft: 7
Rape: 2
Robbery: 22

Next: No. 5 Most Dangerous

No. 5: Florida

Oh, Florida! While you were the 9th most dangerous state last year, you jumped all the way to the 5th most dangerous for 2009.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 6
Burglary: 6
Murder: 12
Motor Vehicle Theft: 11
Rape: 20
Robbery: 3

Next: No. 6 Most Dangerous

No. 6: Tennessee

Tennessee residents might sing about love for country and neighbor, but lag behind in showing it. The state earns the No. 3 slot for most assaults.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 3
Burglary: 5
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 18
Rape: 17
Robbery: 8

Next: No. 7 Most Dangerous

No. 7: Alaska

Alaska is plagued with having the highest number of rape cases. There could be a correlation with alcohol abuse, also known to plague the state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 4
Burglary: 34
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 16
Rape: 1
Robbery: 34

Next: No. 8 Most Dangerous

No. 8: Arizona

Things are looking brighter in Arizona! Last year it made the top five most dangerous states, now it's down a few notches at No. 8.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 19
Burglary: 14
Murder: 8
Motor Vehicle Theft: 2
Rape: 32
Robbery: 14

Next: No. 9 Most Dangerous

No. 9: Maryland

Hugging the nation's high-crime capital, struggling to revitalize Baltimore and growing its gambling industry, Maryland has the second-highest murder and robbery rate.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 9
Burglary: 23
Murder: 2
Motor Vehicle Theft: 6
Rape: 45
Robbery: 2

Next: No. 10 Most Dangerous

No. 10: Michigan

Michigan is home to two of the most dangerous cities in America, according to the 2008 CQ Press city rankings. Detroit ranks third and Flint ranks sixth.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 12
Burglary: 17
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9
Rape: 3
Robbery: 19

Next: No. 11 Most Dangerous

No. 11: Arkansas

The home to former President Bill Clinton holds steady, after rising in the rankings for five years in a row. Arkansas ranks in the top 10 of four of the six crime categories.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 10
Burglary: 2
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 33
Rape: 4
Robbery: 24

Next: No. 12 Most Dangerous

No. 12: Georgia

Georgia makes the most shocking move on this year's list -- rising a full 7 spots up the ranking. Be careful Georgia, or soon you'll be in the top ten!

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 21
Burglary: 12
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 8
Rape: 42
Robbery: 6

Next: No. 13 Most Dangerous

No. 13: Alabama

Seems in Alabama, they get serious fast. While only ranking 22nd for assault, they rank No. 3 for murder.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 22
Burglary: 7
Murder: 3
Motor Vehicle Theft: 24
Rape: 22
Robbery: 11

Next: No. 14 Most Dangerous

No. 14: California

California has seen a slight improvement in safety from last year's, thanks to a much lower rank in the murder rate category.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 17
Burglary: 25
Murder: 17
Motor Vehicle Theft: 3
Rape: 40
Robbery: 5

Next: No. 15 Most Dangerous

No. 15: Texas

The home of former President George Bush ranked in the top 10 Most Dangerous States as recently as 2004 but has steadily improved since.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 16
Burglary: 11
Murder: 19
Motor Vehicle Theft: 12
Rape: 17
Robbery: 9

Next: No. 16 Most Dangerous

No. 16: Oklahoma

Oklahoma stays out of the top ten for all crime categories, except rape -- where it comes in at No. 6.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 11
Burglary: 13
Murder: 18
Motor Vehicle Theft: 15
Rape: 6
Robbery: 31

Next: No. 17 Most Dangerous

No. 17: Delaware

The First State had taken a sharp rise up the list as it moved from 24th in 2006, to 18th in 2007 and 12th in 2008. Delaware residents will be happy to know it's fallen back down the list again.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 7
Burglary: 20
Murder: 27
Motor Vehicle Theft: 28
Rape: 11
Robbery: 4

Next: No. 18 Most Dangerous

No. 18: North Carolina

North Carolina may not be anywhere near the top in 5 of the 6 crime categories. But, they take the numero uno spot when it comes to burglaries.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 20
Burglary: 1
Murder: 13
Motor Vehicle Theft: 21
Rape: 36
Robbery: 15

Next: No. 19 Most Dangerous

No. 19: Missouri

Missouri makes the top ten in one crime category -- motor vehicle theft.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 13
Burglary: 19
Murder: 13
Motor Vehicle Theft: 10
Rape: 33
Robbery: 21

Next: No. 20 Most Dangerous

No. 20: Illinois

Illinois might be able to get out of the top 20, if they could improve their ranking for robberies.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 15
Burglary: 29
Murder: 19
Motor Vehicle Theft: 29
Rape: 26
Robbery: 7

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