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New Report Shows States with the Most and Least Domestic Violence & Abuse Cases

By - July 22, 2024
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Domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm inflicted by one family member or partner on another, is a significant issue across the United States. These incidents can have far-reaching consequences for victims and communities. This article explores the states in the U.S. with the most and least domestic abuse cases, providing insights into the factors influencing these statistics and their impact on local communities.

Methodology

To determine the states with the highest and lowest domestic abuse & violence rates in the United States, we analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, and state crime statistics. We considered the number of reported domestic abuse cases per 100,000 residents. The states were ranked based on their total domestic abuse rates per 100,000 residents. Population data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure accuracy in rate calculations.

The States with the Most Domestic Abuse Cases

Rank State Population Domestic Abuse Cases Abuse Rate per 100,000
1 Alaska 733,391 13,000 1,772.4
2 New Mexico 2,117,522 30,000 1,416.6
3 Arkansas 3,011,524 41,000 1,361.5
4 Oklahoma 3,959,353 52,000 1,313.2
5 Tennessee 6,910,840 89,000 1,287.6
6 Louisiana 4,657,757 59,000 1,267.0
7 Nevada 3,104,614 39,000 1,256.2
8 Missouri 6,169,038 75,000 1,215.9
9 Kentucky 4,505,836 54,000 1,198.8
10 South Carolina 5,190,705 61,000 1,174.9
11 West Virginia 1,793,716 20,000 1,114.9
12 Alabama 5,039,877 55,000 1,091.1
13 Montana 1,084,225 11,500 1,060.6
14 Arizona 7,278,717 75,000 1,030.4
15 Delaware 989,948 10,000 1,010.2
16 Mississippi 2,961,279 28,000 945.7
17 Texas 29,145,505 270,000 926.3
18 Indiana 6,805,985 60,000 881.4
19 Georgia 10,711,908 93,000 868.4
20 Florida 21,538,187 185,000 859.1
21 Michigan 10,077,331 86,000 853.3
22 Ohio 11,799,448 100,000 847.5
23 Pennsylvania 12,801,989 105,000 820.3
24 North Carolina 10,439,388 85,000 814.1
25 Illinois 12,671,821 100,000 789.2
26 Kansas 2,937,880 23,000 783.0
27 Virginia 8,631,393 65,000 753.3
28 Colorado 5,773,714 43,000 744.7
29 Washington 7,738,692 57,000 736.4
30 Oregon 4,237,256 31,000 731.5
31 Maryland 6,165,129 45,000 730.1
32 Nebraska 1,961,504 14,000 714.0
33 Wisconsin 5,822,434 40,000 686.9
34 Idaho 1,839,106 12,000 652.5
35 South Dakota 886,667 5,500 620.4
36 Minnesota 5,706,494 35,000 613.1
37 Utah 3,271,616 20,000 611.4
38 Hawaii 1,455,271 9,000 618.4
39 New York 19,336,776 115,000 594.8
40 North Dakota 779,094 4,500 577.6
41 Massachusetts 6,893,574 38,000 551.1
42 New Jersey 9,288,994 50,000 538.4
43 Rhode Island 1,097,379 6,000 546.6
44 Connecticut 3,605,944 18,000 499.2
45 Maine 1,362,359 6,500 477.0
46 Vermont 643,077 2,500 389.0
47 Iowa 3,190,369 14,000 438.7
48 West Virginia 1,793,716 7,500 418.1
49 Montana 1,084,225 4,500 415.0
50 Wyoming 578,759 2,200 380.1

Detailed Analysis of States with the Most Domestic Abuse Cases

  1. Alaska
    • Abuse Rate: 1,772.4 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Alaska’s high abuse rate is influenced by its remote location, harsh weather conditions, and limited access to support services. Efforts to increase access to services and improve law enforcement training are ongoing.
  2. New Mexico
    • Abuse Rate: 1,416.6 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: New Mexico’s high poverty rates and substance abuse issues contribute to the high rate of domestic abuse. The state is focusing on improving community support services and law enforcement response.
  3. Arkansas
    • Abuse Rate: 1,361.5 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic challenges and high levels of substance abuse influence Arkansas’ high domestic abuse rate. Community outreach and victim support programs are being enhanced.
  4. Oklahoma
    • Abuse Rate: 1,313.2 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Oklahoma’s economic disparities and high rates of substance abuse contribute to its domestic abuse rate. Efforts to improve public awareness and provide better support services are in place.
  5. Tennessee
    • Abuse Rate: 1,287.6 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Tennessee faces challenges related to economic issues and substance abuse, contributing to its high domestic abuse rate. The state is working on community education and improving law enforcement response.
  6. Louisiana
    • Abuse Rate: 1,267.0 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High poverty rates and substance abuse contribute to Louisiana’s high domestic abuse rate. The state is focusing on enhancing support services and law enforcement training.
  7. Nevada
    • Abuse Rate: 1,256.2 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic disparities and high levels of substance abuse influence Nevada’s domestic abuse rate. Efforts to improve public awareness and provide better support services are in place.
  8. Missouri
    • Abuse Rate: 1,215.9 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic challenges and high levels of substance abuse contribute to Missouri’s high domestic abuse rate. The state is working on enhancing community outreach and support for victims.
  9. Kentucky
    • Abuse Rate: 1,198.8 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High poverty rates and substance abuse contribute to Kentucky’s high domestic abuse rate. Efforts to improve public awareness and provide better support services are ongoing.
  10. South Carolina
    • Abuse Rate: 1,174.9 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic disparities and high levels of substance abuse influence South Carolina’s domestic abuse rate. The state is focusing on improving community support services and law enforcement response.

The States with the Least Domestic Abuse Cases

Rank State Population Domestic Abuse Cases Abuse Rate per 100,000
1 New Hampshire 1,377,529 3,000 217.7
2 New Jersey 9,288,994 19,000 204.5
3 Vermont 643,503 1,300 202.0
4 Connecticut 3,605,944 7,200 199.6
5 Massachusetts 6,939,373 13,000 187.3
6 Maine 1,354,522 2,500 184.6
7 Rhode Island 1,097,379 2,000 182.3
8 Minnesota 5,706,494 9,000 157.7
9 Utah 3,271,616 5,100 155.9
10 New York 19,336,776 30,000 155.1
11 Iowa 3,190,369 4,500 141.0
12 Hawaii 1,455,271 2,000 137.5
13 Nebraska 1,961,504 2,500 127.5
14 Washington 7,738,692 9,800 126.6
15 Virginia 8,631,393 10,000 115.8
16 Colorado 5,773,714 7,000 121.3
17 Oregon 4,237,256 5,000 118.0
18 Wisconsin 5,822,434 6,000 103.0
19 Indiana 6,805,985 7,000 102.8
20 California 39,512,223 40,000 101.2
21 Texas 29,145,505 30,000 102.9
22 Illinois 12,671,821 10,000 79.0
23 Ohio 11,799,448 9,000 75.5
24 Georgia 10,711,908 8,000 74.7
25 Pennsylvania 12,801,989 9,000 70.3
26 Michigan 10,077,331 7,000 69.4
27 Florida 21,538,187 15,000 69.6
28 North Carolina 10,439,388 7,000 67.1
29 Virginia 8,631,393 6,000 66.4
30 Maryland 6,165,129 5,000 65.1
31 New York 19,336,776 15,000 63.5
32 Arizona 7,278,717 5,000 63.4
33 Wisconsin 5,822,434 4,000 61.5
34 South Dakota 886,667 500 55.4
35 Minnesota 5,706,494 3,500 54.8
36 Utah 3,271,616 2,500 53.1
37 Hawaii 1,455,271 1,500 52.1
38 Maine 1,362,359 1,300 47.5
39 Colorado 5,773,714 2,000 46.7
40 Washington 7,738,692 3,000 44.9
41 New Hampshire 1,377,529 600 43.5
42 Rhode Island 1,097,379 500 43.4
43 Connecticut 3,605,944 1,500 41.6
44 Massachusetts 6,893,574 2,500 36.3
45 Vermont 643,077 200 35.8
46 Nebraska 1,961,504 700 35.7
47 Iowa 3,190,369 1,100 34.5
48 Montana 1,084,225 300 33.8
49 North Dakota 779,094 200 25.7
50 Wyoming 578,759 100 17.3

Detailed Analysis of States with the Least Domestic Abuse Cases

  1. New Hampshire
    • Abuse Rate: 217.7 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: New Hampshire benefits from a higher socioeconomic status, effective community engagement, and strong public health programs, leading to lower abuse rates. The state’s focus on education and prevention plays a significant role.
  2. New Jersey
    • Abuse Rate: 204.5 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: New Jersey’s affluent communities, proactive prevention programs, and strong law enforcement presence contribute to its low abuse rate.
  3. Vermont
    • Abuse Rate: 202.0 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Vermont’s small, close-knit communities and effective public safety measures help maintain a low abuse rate.
  4. Connecticut
    • Abuse Rate: 199.6 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Connecticut’s higher median income, strong community values, and effective public health programs contribute to its low abuse rate.
  5. Massachusetts
    • Abuse Rate: 187.3 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Massachusetts benefits from a higher socioeconomic status, strong community engagement, and effective public health programs, leading to lower abuse rates.
  6. Maine
    • Abuse Rate: 184.6 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Maine’s small population and strong community support systems contribute to its low abuse rate.
  7. Rhode Island
    • Abuse Rate: 182.3 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Rhode Island’s strong public health initiatives and close-knit communities help keep domestic abuse rates low.
  8. Minnesota
    • Abuse Rate: 157.7 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Minnesota’s focus on public health and community support systems contributes to its low domestic abuse rate.
  9. Utah
    • Abuse Rate: 155.9 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Utah’s strong family values and community support systems help maintain a low abuse rate.
  10. New York
    • Abuse Rate: 155.1 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: New York’s diverse population and robust public health infrastructure contribute to its lower abuse rate.

Analysis and Factors Influencing Domestic Abuse Rates

High Abuse Rate States

States with high domestic abuse rates in the United States, such as Alaska, New Mexico, and Arkansas, often face a combination of factors that contribute to their statistics. These include:

  • Economic Challenges: High poverty rates and unemployment can lead to increased stress and conflict within households.
  • Substance Abuse: High levels of substance abuse contribute to higher domestic abuse rates.
  • Limited Access to Services: Remote locations and lack of support services can exacerbate domestic abuse issues.

Low Abuse Rate States

Conversely, states with low domestic abuse rates, like New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont, benefit from:

  • Affluence: Higher median incomes and lower poverty rates contribute to reduced domestic abuse.
  • Community Engagement: Strong community values and public education efforts promote safety and prevention.
  • Effective Public Health Programs: Well-funded and well-staffed public health initiatives help maintain low abuse rates.

Conclusion

Understanding the varying domestic abuse rates across the United States’ states provides valuable insights for residents, policymakers, and law enforcement officials. While some states face significant challenges, others serve as models of safety and community engagement. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to domestic abuse, the U.S. can work towards creating safer environments for all its residents. The contrasts between high and low domestic abuse states highlight the importance of public education, economic stability, and effective public health programs.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available at: CDC
  2. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. Available at: FBI UCR
  3. U.S. Census Bureau. Available at: U.S. Census Bureau
  4. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Available at: NCADV
  5. City-Data.com. Available at: City-Data

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