The Safest and Most Dangerous Cities in Alaska

Top Safe Cities and Towns in Alaska

If you’re wondering where violent crime is the least of anyone’s worries, these three towns deserve your attention:

Haines

With only 49 violent crimes per 100,000 people, it’s the safest place in the state. It feels like something out of a dream — eagles circling overhead, snowy peaks reflected in the water, and neighbors who know each other.

Valdez

Valdez comes in second, with a violent crime rate of 78 per 100,000. It’s an oil town, sure — but it has the heart of a small community. Locals describe it as where the barista knows regulars by name before they even reach the counter.

Petersburg

Petersburg rounds out the top three at 120 violent crimes per 100,000. Known for its strong Norwegian roots and the Little Norway Festival, it’s a town full of charm — and fishing boats. Crime here? Still low. People look out for one another, and it shows.

Now, if you’re more concerned about your stuff than your safety, here are the towns with the lowest property crime:

Wrangell

Wrangell leads the state with just 49 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Tucked away on an island in Southeast Alaska, the town is only accessible by boat or plane. As one resident put it, “Where would a thief even go? There’s one ferry a week.” It’s that kind of place: quiet, close-knit, and hard to disappear in.

Craig

Craig, also on an island — Prince of Wales — has the second-lowest rate at 197 per 100,000. The economy there runs on fishing and timber, and it’s one of those places where everyone watches out for their neighbors.

Haines

Haines shows up again, this time with the third-lowest property crime rate at 294. Safe from violence and theft, it’s probably Alaska's closest to a crime-free zone.

Alaska's Most Dangerous Places

Of course, not every corner of Alaska tells a story of peace and low crime. Some communities face serious, deep-rooted challenges.

Nome

Nome has the highest violent crime rate in the state — 1,513 incidents per 100,000 people. On paper, it’s a small town with fewer than 4,000 residents. But, in practice, it’s much more than that. Nome is a central hub for dozens of remote villages across western Alaska.

Kotzebue

Kotzebue, just north of the Arctic Circle, ranks second with 1,469 violent crimes per 100,000 people. It’s a tight-knit town — nearly 90 percent of the population is Alaska Native — and, like Nome, it supports a large surrounding region with limited infrastructure.

Anchorage

Anchorage ranks third in the state with 1,062 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. As Alaska’s largest city, it faces the kinds of challenges that often come with urban life: drug activity, homelessness, property disputes, and mental health struggles.

But Anchorage is also distinctly Alaskan: Winters bring weeks of darkness; isolation isn’t something you can just drive away from; and the cost of living can make even the basics feel out of reach. That pressure builds. And, eventually, it spills over.

Now shift to property crime and the list changes:

Fairbanks

Fairbanks leads the pack with 3,995 property crimes per 100,000 people. It’s a university town, home to the University of Alaska’s main campus, and the climate can be brutal. I was there for college; one winter, I remember car thefts getting out of hand. People would leave their engines running to keep cars from freezing — and thieves didn’t hesitate to jump in and drive off.

Wasilla

Sitting in the Mat-Su Valley, Wasilla ranks second with 3,781 property crimes per 100,000. The area’s been hit hard by the meth and opioid crises. A lot of the property crime here is linked to addiction — people stealing whatever they can for drug money.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, down in Southeast Alaska, rounds out the top three with 3,006 property crimes per 100,000. It’s a big cruise ship destination. During summer, the town’s population explodes as tourists pour in, which opens the door to more theft and petty crimes.

Alaska is a place of extremes, and its crime statistics reflect that. Some communities hold strong, while others are stretched thin. And behind every number, there’s a real person just trying to get by.

Where Alaska Stands Nationally

Right now, Alaska ranks second in the nation for violent crime. That’s not a brag — it’s a warning sign. Only New Mexico sees more. And when you break it down, the numbers hit hard: 726 violent crimes for every 100,000 people. That’s twice the national average.

The only bit of good news is that violent crime has been down 4.3 percent over the last year. It's a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Ranked 20th in the nation for property crime, Alaska is close to the middle of the pack. Alaska has 1,877 property crimes for every 100,000 residents.¹ It’s somewhat less than the national average — 2 percent less, precisely. But, don’t exhale just yet. Property crime was up 4.9 percent this last year.

So, yeah, it’s a mixed bag. Alaska is not the worst, but it’s nowhere near safe. The story becomes even more layered when you zoom in on different communities — Nome and Wrangell could not be more different.

Why Alaska Is Different

Alaska’s crime issues are shaped by geography, isolation, and tough living conditions. Many towns are cut off from the rest of the world, accessible only by boat or plane. Fewer police officers, delayed emergency response, and the high cost of essentials all add pressure to daily life. The challenges aren’t simple and neither are the solutions.

Then there’s the weather. In some places, winter darkness lasts for months. Temperatures drop so low that you’re stuck inside, and isolation can wear on people — especially in tight spaces.

We also look different from the rest of the country: more men than women, a younger population, and higher rates of alcohol use and addiction. But, there’s progress. Programs like Village Public Safety Officers are helping;² tribal courts are stepping up; and communities are finding ways to tackle domestic violence and support families.

Life in Alaska isn’t easy, but that hardship forges strong community ties. Here, understanding crime isn’t just about numbers; it’s about neighbors looking out for each other and doing what it takes to stay safe together.