IN · 6 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in Indiana
Indiana recorded 300 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 9% below the national rate and down 19% since 2022. Of the 6 cities we cover, South Bend, Evansville and Indianapolis have the highest rates and Fishers the lowest. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Indianapolis
Carmel
Evansville
Fishers
Fort Wayne
South BendFBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in Indiana, ranked
The 5 Indiana cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 3 of 5 run above the state average of 300. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
- 1
South Bend
1,218 violent crimes per 100k
3.2× the state average
- 2
Evansville
1,087 violent crimes per 100k
3.6× the state average
- 3
Indianapolis
769 violent crimes per 100k
2.6× the state average
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Bend2023 | 1,218 | 2,557 | 102,999 |
| 2 | Evansville | 1,087 | 3,065 | 114,905 |
| 3 | Indianapolis | 769 | 2,819 | 903,574 |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | 276 | 1,868 | 275,451 |
| 5 | Fishers | 78 | n/a | 105,143 |
| Indiana average | 300 | 1,249 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Not enough reliable data to rank: Carmel. How we rank cities.
Indiana crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in Indiana?
Of the 5 Indiana cities in our ranking, South Bend has the highest violent crime rate: 1,218 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2023, 3.2 times the state average. Evansville and Indianapolis come next. Even in South Bend, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our South Bend guide shows which ones.
What is the safest city in Indiana?
Among the cities we rank, Fishers has the lowest violent crime rate, at 78 per 100,000 residents in 2025, 74% below the state average. Fort Wayne follows with 276. A low citywide rate doesn't mean every block is the same, but day-to-day risk is lower.
Is Indiana safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. Indiana recorded 300 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 9% below the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 6 city guides cover them block by block.
Which Indiana cities have above-average crime?
3 of the 5 cities we rank have a violent crime rate above the Indiana average of 300 per 100,000 residents: South Bend, Evansville and Indianapolis. The other 2 are below it.
Is crime going up or down in Indiana?
Violent crime in Indiana went from 370 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 300 in 2025, down 19%. Property crime went from 1,716 to 1,249 over 2022–2025, down 27%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.