You probably know Canada as a pretty awesome place, right? It’s famous for beautiful nature, friendly people, and generally being a safe country. But just like everywhere else, some cities in Canada can be a bit more dangerous than the others.
Let’s keep it real – no place is perfect, and Canada has its own challenges, too. For instance, there are cities with a bit higher crime rate. One example is Surrey, a city in Canada, which ranks 56th in the list of most dangerous cities in the world according to Numbeo.
They use a Crime Index where a higher number means more crime, and Surrey scored 63.4. On the Safety Index, where a higher number means it’s safer, Surrey scored 36.6.
In this article, we’re going to explore the top 10 cities in Canada where crime is a bit more common. We’ll start at number 10 (the least dangerous of this group) and work our way up to number 1 (the most dangerous). We’ll use the most recent data from 2023 for our list.
But don’t forget, even though these cities might have higher crime rates, Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world. Its beautiful nature, friendly communities, and lots of cool things to do and see make Canada a great place to live. So, let’s dive in and learn a bit more about these cities.
Most Dangerous Cities in Canada for 2023:
In this article, we’ll dig into the most dangerous cities in Canada using Numbeo’s latest 2023 data for the crime and safety indexes.
We’ll discuss the factors contributing to high crime rates in these cities and discuss safety concerns for residents and visitors.
+1 News‘s goal is to give you a well-informed perspective on Canadian city safety, helping you make educated decisions about where to live, work, or visit.
Overview:
The crime and safety indexes provide a very important insights into Canadian city safety. The crime index reflects a city’s overall crime level, while the safety index indicates how secure residents and visitors feel there.
Seven Canadian cities rank among the top 100 most dangerous places globally, as reported by the worldwide statistics database Numbeo.
The index scores are determined by factors such as violent and non-violent crime rates, drug use, corruption, and general safety. Based on the 2023 data, the following cities are considered the most dangerous in Canada.
Click to jump directly on any city:
What are the most dangerous cities of Canada for 2023?
1. Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey tops the list of the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a crime index score of 63.7 and a safety index score of only 36.3.
That’s a big number! It’s mostly because of drug crimes like possession and related assaults. These are serious issues that have many people worried.
The city has a high incidence of gang violence, property crime, and drug trafficking, which contributes to its high crime rate.
On the bright side, the city has taken measures to combat crime, including hiring more police officers and establishing programs to help at-risk youth.
2. Lethbridge, Alberta
Lethbridge ranks second on the list, with a crime index score of 62.3 and a safety index score of 37.7.
The city’s violent crime rate stands at 133.8, and the nonviolent crime rate at 154.0. These figures surpass Alberta’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 101.36, causing some concern for residents and potential visitors
Lethbridge has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
3. Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer ranks fourth on the list, with a crime index score of 61.8 and a safety index score of 38.2. Its total violent crime rate is 175.7, while nonviolent crimes measure 176.2. That’s many points above Alberta’s average.
Red Deer has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
4. Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna ranks third on the list, with a crime index score of 61.57 and a safety index score of 38.43. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 124.3, and the nonviolent crime rate is 148.0. In particular, the most reported crimes are theft and vandalism.
Kelowna has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of drug use.
5. Sudbury, Ontario
Over the past three years, the VCSI reports a consistent decrease in minor offences in Sudbury, even as violent crime rates have risen.
Sudbury ranks fifth on the list of the most dangerous cities in Canada, with a crime index score of 60.67 and a safety index score of 39.33. In 2021, it had the fourth-highest rate of murders in all of Canada.
Sudbury has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, as well as drug use and gang violence.
6. Oshawa, Ontario
With a crime index of 59.99 and a safety index of 40.01, Oshawa is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Residents still face a high risk of violent and property crime.
Most incidents relate to drug use and include acts like vandalism, minor theft, simple assault, and quick property thefts. In 2022, the city recorded a total of 15 murders.
Oshawa is a mid-sized city in Ontario, located on the shore of Lake Ontario, and has a population of over 175,000 people.
7. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg ranks seventh on the list, with a crime index score of 59.61 and a safety index score of 40.39. Most serious crimes here are tied to gangs and drugs.
Winnipeg has a high incidence of property crime, including theft and vandalism, as well as violent crimes such as assault and robbery.
8. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie ranks sixth on the list, with a crime index score of 59.2 and a safety index score of 40.8. Its violent crime rate sits at 143.2, and its nonviolent crime rate measures 126.1. The issues like assault and theft place it among the world’s top 100 most dangerous cities.
Sault Ste. Marie has high incidence of property crime, including theft and break-ins, and also has a high incidence of violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault.
Moreover, a worrying prevalence of drug-related activities, including usage and dealing, as well as vandalism, add to the area’s challenges.
9. Kamloops, British Columbia
Kamloops, located in British Columbia with a crime index of 55.39 is one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Its safety index is 44.61. It has a violent crime rating of 132.9 and a nonviolent crime rating of 135.9.
Despite being known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities, it has been plagued by high crime rates in recent years. Property crimes are particularly common in Kamloops.
10. Hamilton, Ontario
With a crime index of 54.98 and a safety index of 45.02, Hamilton ranks among the most dangerous cities in Canada. Located in Ontario, Hamilton has a population of over 570,000 people and has been struggling with rising crime rates in recent years.
Violent crimes, such as vandalism, theft, muggings, assault and robbery, are common in Hamilton.
Other notable cities with high crime rates in Canada include Brampton, London, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Edmonton, and Windsor.
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Most Unsafe cities worldwide: Is Your City on the List?
Crime rates are high in various parts of the world, so knowing which cities are considered the most dangerous is crucial.
Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported crime, ranks Caracas, Venezuela, as the most dangerous city globally, with a crime index of 83.4 and a safety index of just 16.6.
South African cities like Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Johannesburg feature prominently in the top 5.
The top 10 also include San Pedro Sula in Honduras, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Kabul in Afghanistan, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Alice Springs in Australia.
Several US cities made the list, such as Baltimore, Memphis, Detroit, New Orleans, Oakland, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.
When planning to travel or move to a new city, it’s essential to think about the safety of your destination.
The following table shows the top 100 most dangerous cities worldwide, according to Numbeo.
| Rank | City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caracas, Venezuela | 83.4 | 16.6 |
| 2 | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 3 | Pretoria, South Africa | 81.9 | 18.1 |
| 4 | Durban, South Africa | 81.0 | 19.0 |
| 5 | Johannesburg, South Africa | 80.8 | 19.2 |
| 6 | San Pedro Sula, Honduras | 80.7 | 19.3 |
| 7 | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 80.4 | 19.6 |
| 8 | Kabul, Afghanistan | 80.1 | 19.9 |
| 9 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 77.7 | 22.3 |
| 10 | Alice Springs, Australia | 77.3 | 22.7 |
| 11 | Fortaleza, Brazil | 77.1 | 22.9 |
| 12 | Natal, Brazil | 77.0 | 23.0 |
| 13 | Salvador, Brazil | 76.7 | 23.3 |
| 14 | Recife, Brazil | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 15 | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 16 | Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago | 76.2 | 23.8 |
| 17 | Baltimore, MD, United States | 75.8 | 24.2 |
| 18 | Rosario, Argentina | 75.5 | 24.5 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN, United States | 75.3 | 24.7 |
| 20 | Detroit, MI, United States | 74.2 | 25.8 |
| 21 | Cape Town, South Africa | 73.6 | 26.4 |
| 22 | Preston, United Kingdom | 73.2 | 26.8 |
| 23 | Porto Alegre, Brazil | 72.1 | 27.9 |
| 24 | Albuquerque, NM, United States | 71.9 | 28.1 |
| 25 | Guayaquil, Ecuador | 71.8 | 28.2 |
Conclusion:
While Canada is generally considered a safe country, there are several cities that have higher crime rates than others. Surrey, Lethbridge, Kelowna, and Red Deer are among the most dangerous cities in Canada based on crime statistics.
Residents of these cities face a higher risk of violent and property crimes than other Canadian cities. However, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary depending on factors such as population density, economic conditions, and policing strategies.
If you’re planning to visit or move to Canada, it’s important to research the safety of the cities you’re interested in. While crime can happen anywhere, being aware of the risks can help you make informed decisions about your safety and well-being.
Remember to always exercise caution and take necessary precautions, regardless of where you are in Canada.
