As 2011 comes to a close, the city of Philadelphia finds itself at the top of a disturbing list.
This year the city has the highest homicide rate of the nation’s 10 most populous cities, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
A total of 324 homicides occurred in Philadelphia in 2011 as of Wednesday, compared to 306 last year. The city also has a murder rate per 100,000 population of 20.7, the highest of America’s 10 largest cities. The homicide total includes the eight alleged victims of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell who died in previous years but are counted in 2011.
The Daily News also reports however that the murder rates for smaller cities such as New Orleans, St. Louis and Detroit are higher than Philly's.
Philadelphia Homicide Totals
| 2001 | 309 |
| 2002 | 288 |
| 2003 | 348 |
| 2004 | 330 |
| 2005 | 380 |
| 2006 | 406 |
| 2007 | 392 |
| 2008 | 333 |
| 2009 | 302 |
| 2010 | 306 |
| 2011 | 324 |
Murder rate per 100,000 population, 10 largest U.S. cities
| Philadelphia | 20.7 |
| Chicago | 15.7 |
| Dallas | 10.9 |
| Houston | 9.3 |
| L.A. | 7.8 |
| Phoenix | 7.6 |
| San Antonio | 6.5 |
| New York | 6.1 |
| San Jose | 4.0 |
| San Diego | 2.9 |
With the New Year approaching, the continued violence poses a significant challenge to the leaders and citizens of Philadelphia in 2012. Time will tell how the city of brotherly love will handle it.
