
Alaska is a gorgeous state with plenty of things to do, but it’s important to be aware of the most dangerous cities in Alaska if you’re planning on visiting. Keep yourself safe by avoiding these areas or, at the very least, being extra cautious if you find yourself in one of these cities. What is the most dangerous city in Alaska?
- Juneau
- Palmer
- Kodiak
- Fairbanks
- Bethel

1. Juneau
The capital city of Alaska, Juneau is also its second most populous city with just over 32,000 residents. However, what this city lacks in size it makes up for in crime; in 2019, Juneau was ranked as the #1 most dangerous city in Alaska with a violent crime rate of 1,141 per 100,000 residents. Juneau also had the second-highest property crime rate in the state, so it’s best to keep your valuables close and be on high alert if you find yourself in this city.
2. Palmer
Located just north of Anchorage, Palmer is home to over 6,500 people. In 2019, it was ranked as the 4th most dangerous city in Alaska with a violent crime rate of 567 per 100,000 residents. Property crimes are also relatively common in Palmer so be sure to take precautions if you’re traveling through this area.
3. Kodiak
Kodiak is a small city located on an island off the coast of mainland Alaska; it has a population of just over 6,000 people. It may be small but it packs a big punch when it comes to crime; Kodiak was ranked as the 3rd most dangerous city in Alaska in 2019 with a violent crime rate of 580 per 100,000 residents—the highest number for any city on this list. If you find yourself in Kodiak, please exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
4. Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the largest city in interior Alaska and the fifth-largest city in the state overall with a population of just over 31,000 people. It had the third-highest violent crime rate in 2019 with 734 incidents per 100k residents; only Juneau and Kodiak had higher rates. Property crimes are also relatively common here so again, use caution and safeguard your belongings if you plan on spending time Fairbanks.
5. Bethel
Situated near the westernmost point in Alaska, Bethel is a remote city with a population of around 6,200 people—and unfortunately for its residents and visitors alike—a high crime rate. In 2019, Bethel was named as the 2nd most dangerous city in Alaska with a violent crime rate of 813 per 100k residents; property crimes are also quite common here so beware if you find yourself traveling to Bethel! While these five cities are certainly the most dangerous places to visit (or live) in Alaska, that doesn’t mean that crime isn’t present statewide; Alaska has consistently had some of the highest crime rates in the country for years now so always be sure to take precautions no matter where you are in the Last Frontier!
No matter where you go in Alaska—whether it’s one of the Most Dangerous Cities or not—it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against becoming victim to crime. Alaska has consistently had high rates of both violent and property crimes so please keep that in mind during your travels and enjoy your time safely! Furthermore, please leave your thoughts and comments below. Lastly, check out other similar posts on our website here. In addition, we post on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.