By St. Louis, a city with a population of over 300,000, has unfortunately gained a reputation for being unsafe due to its high crime rate, which is 234% higher than the US average. In 2022, the city reported nearly 4,400 violent crimes, including high rates of murder and assault. The northern neighborhoods of the city tend to have the highest crime rates, while crime tends to be lower in the southern areas. As of 2023, these are considered to be the nine most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis.
9 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in St. Louis
- Gravois Park
- JeffVanderLou
- Central West End
- Dutchtown
- Tower Grove South
- Bevo Mill
- Carondelet
- Downtown St. Louis
- Downtown West
1. Gravois Park
Gravois Park is considered the most dangerous neighborhood in St. Louis with a population of 5,567. It is one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in the city but unfortunately has a high crime rate of 9,919 per 100,000, which is 323% higher than the national average. Shockingly, residents have a 1 in 11 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2022, there were 271 reported crimes in Gravois Park, including 38 robberies, 47 assaults, 45 burglaries, and 27 cases of stolen vehicles.
2. JeffVanderLou
Another dangerous neighborhood in St. Louis is JeffVanderLou (JVL), situated in the central part of the city with a population of 4,209. The crime rate in JVL is alarmingly high at 10,339 per 100,000, which is 341% higher than the national average. In 2022, 241 crimes were reported in this area, including three homicides, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, and 28 burglaries. JVL faces significant challenges related to poverty and unemployment, as evidenced by its median income of $20,499, which is 63% lower than the national average.
3. Central West End
The Central West End is also considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis, with a population of 15,762. This area has some of the highest rates of violent crimes in the city, and as of 2022, it was ranked as 208% more dangerous than the national average, with a crime rate of 7,217. Unfortunately, residents have a 1 in 14 chance of becoming a victim of crimes such as gun violence, homicides, burglaries, and car thefts, which are prevalent in this neighborhood.
4. Dutchtown
Dutchtown is another one of the high-crime neighborhoods in St. Louis, with a population of 17,000 and a crime rate of 6,731 per 100,000 people. Originally established as a German settlement, Dutchtown is now a diverse neighborhood with a significant immigrant population. Unfortunately, Dutchtown’s crime rate is 187% higher than the national average, and the area has struggled with poverty and urban decay for decades. In 2022, there were two homicides, 47 robberies, 132 assaults, 88 burglaries, and 49 cases of stolen vehicles reported in the neighborhood.
5. Tower Grove South
Tower Grove is another neighborhood in St. Louis with high crime rates. Situated in the southern part of the city, Tower Grove has a population of 13,719 and a crime rate of 5,110 per 100,000 residents, which is 66% higher than the Missouri average. In 2022, 363 crimes were reported in Tower Grove, including 49 burglaries, 216 larcenies, 25 assaults, and 35 stolen vehicles. The median income in this neighborhood is $45,919, which is 17% lower than the national average.
6. Bevo Mill
Bevo Mill is another St. Louis neighborhood with high crime rates that make it one of the worst areas to live in. The neighborhood is named after its historic mill located in the center and has a population of 11,941. Bevo Mill’s crime rate of 4,731 per 100,000 residents is 102% higher than the national average, with a 1 in 22 chance of being a victim of any type of crime. Despite its diversity and immigrant population from the former Yugoslavia, Bevo Mill remains generally unsafe, although crime rates have been slowly improving.
7. Carondelet
Carondelet, with a population of 8,588, is another St. Louis neighborhood plagued by high crime rates. The neighborhood has a crime rate that is 175% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were 315 reported crimes, with property crime being the most common. There were 15 robberies, 47 assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 larcenies, and 40 vehicle thefts reported, but no murders. Poverty is a significant issue in Carondelet, with a median income of $33,642.
8. Downtown St. Louis
Downtown is also considered to be one of the most unsafe neighborhoods in St. Louis. It has a longstanding reputation for being a violent and dangerous part of the city. In 2022, there were more than 672 reported crimes, which included two homicides, 27 robberies, 26 burglaries, and numerous instances of larceny. Due to inadequate police protection, it is not advisable to venture out after dark in this area.
9. Downtown West
Downtown West, situated in St. Louis, is known for its high crime rates. With a population of 4,690, this neighborhood has a crime rate that is 38% higher than the national average, at 3,241 crimes per 100,000 people. Residents of Downtown West have a 1 in 31 chance of being a victim of any type of crime. In the year 2022, the neighborhood reported 52 assaults, 42 robberies, 16 burglaries, and 311 counts of larceny.
