As the largest state in terms of land area, Alaska is comparable in size to Texas, Montana, and California combined. It was the penultimate state to join the Union, coming in right before Hawaii, and is known as the Last Frontier State. Its capital, Juneau, also serves as the country’s second-most populous city.
According to the article from South West Journal, its breathtaking natural beauty and vast wilderness frequently enthrall both locals and tourists. Nearly half of Alaska’s population lives in the south-central region, which is home to Anchorage, the state’s largest city.
355 unique municipalities, including towns, cities, boroughs, and others, make up Alaska. 148 of these are cities with incorporation. At 8.23 per 1,000 people, the state’s violent crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, although the state’s property crime rate is more in line with national averages.
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10 Most Dangerous Areas In Alaska
1. Anchorage
Without a doubt, with a staggering 288,121 residents as of 2021, is the most populated city in Alaska. Among the city’s honors are its four All-American City Awards from the National Civic League and Kiplinger’s Magazine’s recognition of it as one of the country’s most tax-friendly urban centers.
Unfortunately, with 11.40 violent crimes committed per 1,000 persons, it has a violent crime rate that is 50% higher than the state average and almost treble the national average. Even the property crime numbers, which are above both the state and national averages with a rate of 34.55 per 1,000 residents, offer a bleak image of safety in the city.
2. Juneau
Located in the heart of the Alaskan Panhandle, is the state’s capital and is home to 31,973 people (2021). Juneau’s enormous land area exceeds 3,200 square miles, surpassing states like Delaware and Rhode Island.
Juneau’s downtown neighborhoods and Lemon Creek, which are noted for having higher crime rates, are among the least secure precincts. The violent crime rate of Juneau, 8.69 per 1,000 people, is comparable to the state average. However, with rates around 25% higher than the rest of Alaska, property crime is a more urgent concern in this area.
3. Bethel
Bethel, Alaska’s western gem, is nestled along the Kuskokwim River and had 6,642 residents as of 2021. Its crime statistics, however, depict a less rosy picture. One of the highest in the state, Bethel has a violent crime rate of 14.00 per 1,000 residents—nearly twice the state average. Given the city’s compact size, this is particularly significant. Overall, Bethel’s total crime rate is more than 5% higher than the national average.
4. Fairbanks
The largest city in interior Alaska, Fairbanks is home to 32,702 people (2021), and it also serves as the original site of the University of Alaska. Both tourists and locals should exercise caution, especially in downtown areas like North Lake View and Van Horn Industrial Park.
The violent crime rate in the city, which is 7.77 per 1,000 people, is lower than the state average but still significantly higher than the national average. With an incidence of property crime in Fairbanks that is double the national average and among the highest in Alaska, this city is of particular concern.
5. Kodiak
Kodiak has a population of 5,458 and serves as the island’s capital and most important commercial port. The city’s Kodiak West and Mill Bay districts are well known for having higher crime rates. Kodiak has a violent crime rate that is higher than both the state average and the national average, at 9.53 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents.
On the other hand, with 13.01 per 1,000 persons, its property crime rate is lower than both the state and the national norms. However, Kodiak has a startling six times higher crime rate per square mile than the rest of Alaska.
6. Wasilla
9,456 people call Wasilla, the fourth-most populous city in Alaska, home (2021 data). It is tucked along the Cook Inlet in the state’s south central region. As a result of the highway’s development, Wasilla is now a thriving commuter community for Anchorage.
Residents have reason to be concerned about property crime, which occurs at a rate of 28.55 per 1,000 people, while violent crime occurs at a rate of 6.66 per 1,000 people, which is much higher than the national average. Wasilla has three times as many crimes per square mile as the state average, with Colonial Park and Meadow Lakes among the less secure areas.
7. North Pole
North Pole, a small city in Alaska, has 2,285 residents and is well-known for its year-round Christmas decorations. Despite its festive attractiveness, the city has more property crimes than the state average, with a rate of 26.70 per 1,000 residents.
However, at 6.13 per 1,000, it has a lower violent crime rate than the state average. Crime is known to occur more frequently in some localities, including Clear Creek Park, Badger East, and Newby Road.
8. Kenai
There are 7,590 people living in Kenai, a small coastal city on the Kenai Peninsula (2021). The fifteenth-largest city in the state, Kenai is situated roughly 150 miles from Anchorage. However, it also has to deal with some crime.
There is a reputation for less safety in places like City Center and Kalifornsky. The violent crime rate in Kenai, 4.48 per 1,000, is slightly higher than the state average but still much higher than the national average. The rate of property crime there is at 17.79 per 1,000 people.
9. Ketchikan
The “Salmon Capital of the World” and home to 8,037 people (as of 2021), Ketchikan is well-known around the world. This city is highly known for its magnificent scenery, plethora of fishing opportunities, and the thriving indigenous culture that exists nearby.
The violent crime rate of Ketchikan is 3.11 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the national average even though it is lower than the average for Alaska. In addition, Ketchikan has a rate that is four times greater than the state average in terms of crime per square mile.
10. Sitka
The second most populous city in Alaska is Sitka, which is situated in the southeast and had 8,407 residents as of 2021. Property crime rates in the city, which are above both the state and national averages at 15.46 per 1,000 residents, are a result of the city’s economically challenging environment, which is characterized by high unemployment rates.
Despite having a violent crime rate that is very low (1.78 per 1,000 population), some areas of the city, such as the City Center, are known to be more prone to crime.
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