Domestic Violence By State

United States
54.79%Experienced Domestic Violence Rate (Women)National Average
Crime RateNational Average
Rape RateNational Average
Safety Index ScoreNational Average
Experienced Domestic Violence Rate (Women) 2017Question Mark
Map visualization
36.9%67.1%
1
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia
67.1%
2
AlaskaAlaska
65.4%
3
WyomingWyoming
63%
4
IdahoIdaho
62%
5
ArkansasArkansas
61.9%
6
NevadaNevada
61.7%
6
West VirginiaWest Virginia
61.7%
8
WashingtonWashington
61.2%
9
MassachusettsMassachusetts
60.9%
10
ColoradoColorado
60.7%
11
VermontVermont
60.5%
12
MichiganMichigan
59.6%
13
VirginiaVirginia
59.1%
14
IndianaIndiana
58.9%
15
DelawareDelaware
58.7%
16
IllinoisIllinois
58.3%
17
WisconsinWisconsin
58%
17
CaliforniaCalifornia
58%
19
LouisianaLouisiana
56.9%
20
AlabamaAlabama
56.7%
20
OklahomaOklahoma
56.7%
20
MontanaMontana
56.7%
23
ArizonaArizona
55.4%
24
FloridaFlorida
55%
24
New HampshireNew Hampshire
55%
26
North CarolinaNorth Carolina
54.7%
27
OregonOregon
54.5%
28
MarylandMaryland
54.4%
29
New YorkNew York
54.2%
29
GeorgiaGeorgia
54.2%
31
MissouriMissouri
53.7%
31
MinnesotaMinnesota
53.7%
33
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
52.9%
34
New MexicoNew Mexico
52.5%
35
TennesseeTennessee
52.4%
36
OhioOhio
51.9%
37
ConnecticutConnecticut
51.7%
38
MississippiMississippi
51.5%
39
MaineMaine
51.4%
39
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
51.4%
41
NebraskaNebraska
51.1%
42
IowaIowa
49.9%
43
KansasKansas
49%
44
Rhode IslandRhode Island
48.5%
45
New JerseyNew Jersey
48%
46
South DakotaSouth Dakota
47.3%
47
North DakotaNorth Dakota
46.3%
48
KentuckyKentucky
45.8%
49
HawaiiHawaii
44.7%
50
TexasTexas
42.7%
51
UtahUtah
36.9%
Domestic Violence By State
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Last updated February 28, 2026

Introduction

In the United States, the violation of safety within the sanctity of home- domestic violence- constitutes a social issue of considerable magnitude and complexity. Characterized by diverse forms of assault in domestic relationships, domestic violence can manifest as violence among partners, parent-child violence, or violence among siblings. Its impact is indiscriminate, affecting individuals across all genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic groups. The passage of Violence Against Women Acts attests to the heightened awareness and measures adopted to combat this problem. However, the persistence of domestic violence prompts more nuanced exploration of its prevalence across states.

  • Kentucky has the highest reported percentage (45.3%) of domestic violence, closely followed by Nevada (43.8%) and Alaska (43.3%).
  • States such as Arizona, Indiana, and South Carolina also showed high levels of domestic violence, well over 40%.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, states with lower levels of domestic violence were North Dakota (29.7%), New York (31.7%), Rhode Island (32.6%). However, even these lower percentages are concerning.
  • A closer analysis shows a possible correlation between region and domestic violence rates. For instance, many southern states like Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi have domestic violence rates of 40% and more.
  • The data also revealed an alarming nationwide phenomenon: No state reported a domestic violence rate below 29.7%, underlining the gravity of domestic violence across the United States.

All Metrics

Region ↕Experienced Domestic Violence Rate (Women) 2017↕Crime Rate 2023↕Rape Rate 2023↕Safety Index Score↕
District of Columbia67.1%
Alaska65.4%
Wyoming63.0%
Idaho62.0%
Arkansas61.9%
Nevada61.7%
West Virginia61.7%
Washington61.2%
Massachusetts60.9%
Colorado60.7%
Vermont60.5%
Michigan59.6%
Virginia59.1%
Indiana58.9%
Delaware58.7%
Illinois58.3%
Wisconsin58.0%
California58.0%
Louisiana56.9%
Alabama56.7%
Oklahoma56.7%
Montana56.7%
Arizona55.4%
Florida55.0%
New Hampshire55.0%
North Carolina54.7%
Oregon54.5%
Maryland54.4%
New York54.2%
Georgia54.2%
Missouri53.7%
Minnesota53.7%
South Carolina52.9%
New Mexico52.5%
Tennessee52.4%
Ohio51.9%
Connecticut51.7%
Mississippi51.5%
Maine51.4%
Pennsylvania51.4%
Nebraska51.1%
Iowa49.9%
Kansas49.0%
Rhode Island48.5%
New Jersey48.0%
South Dakota47.3%
North Dakota46.3%
Kentucky45.8%
Hawaii44.7%
Texas42.7%
Utah36.9%

States with the Highest Rate of Domestic Violence

The state reporting the most significant percentage of domestic violence cases was Kentucky, with a disturbing 45.3%, positioning it at the top of this unfortunate list. Not far behind was Nevada, with a domestic violence rate of 43.8%, granting it the second highest position in domestic violence prevalence. Coming in at the third spot was Alaska which reported a domestic violence rate of 43.3%. Alaska’s high prevalence of domestic violence is particularly disturbing, given that its remote location can make it difficult for victims to access much-needed resources and support. Arizona and Indiana followed closely with substantial domestic violence rates of 42.6% and 42.5% respectively. South Carolina reported a domestic violence rate of 42.3%, putting it in the sixth position. Missouri, Illinois, Washington, and Arkansas were also included in the top ten states with considerable rates of domestic violence ranging from 40.8% to 41.8%. States with the Highest Rate of Domestic Violence:

  1. Kentucky - 45.3%
  2. Nevada - 43.8%
  3. Alaska - 43.3%
  4. Arizona - 42.6%
  5. Indiana - 42.5%
  6. South Carolina - 42.3%
  7. Missouri - 41.8%
  8. Illinois - 41.5%
  9. Washington - 41.4%
  10. Arkansas - 40.8%.

Sources & Notes

Experienced Domestic Violence Rate (Women)

% of women who have experienced domestic violence at least once in their lives.

Crime Rate

Crime rate per 100,000 people.

Rape Rate

Annual number of reported rape cases per 100,000 people.

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