As we wrap up 2025, we begin to see rankings of the best and worst events of the year. However, not only was 2025 a year of tremendous cultural and political happenings, but it was also the year when territorial darkness was exposed.
In a report by WalletHub, the “Most Sinful Cities in America” were listed as the following:
- Las Vegas, NV
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Denver, CO
- Miami, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- New Orleans, LA
While Las Vegas is typically thought of as “Sin City,” some of these other locations are surprisingly common, given that millions of regular citizens live in them.
According to WalletHub, Las Vegas continues to take the number one spot as it “has the second-most casinos per capita, driving many people to lose their money in a failed quest for quick riches and creating the fourth-highest share of residents with gambling problems.”
Along with the gambling, Vegas also houses some of the highest rates of adult entertainment in the nation, as well as fraud and identity issues.
Houston comes after Vegas, largely due also to its industry of lust and that “Houston’s residents struggle with anger and hatred,” having a shockingly high number of mass shootings. Los Angeles also has the “eighth-most mass shootings between January 2023 and June 2025.”
As believers, we should not look at this list with shock alone, but with discernment. Scripture reminds us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12).
These rankings do more than expose cultural patterns—they reveal the spiritual battles raging over our cities. Where sin abounds, darkness seeks to take territory, but the Word of God assures us that grace abounds all the more (Rom. 5:20). No city, no community and no person is beyond the reach of the gospel or the transforming power of Christ.
As we step into a new year, this is a call not to fear, but to intercede. Instead of writing these cities off as lost, the Church must rise as light-bearers and watchmen. The darker the night, the brighter the light of Christ shines—and now is the time for that light to pierce every corner of America.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
