FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville'scrime rate is dropping, but the city is still considered one of the most dangerous in the country.

According to a national survey from the Morgan Quito Press, Fayetteville is ranked as the 51st most dangerous city in the country. Last year's survey ranked them No. 68.

The jump comes despite 1,000 fewer reported crimes. Other cities saw more drastic reductions, pushing Fayetteville's relative rate up the list.

Police say the numbers are misleading because the city has annexed 50,000 county residents in the last few years.

"When you start looking at those types of reports, it's kind of difficult to sit down and just apply the numbers whenever you have such an ongoing and changing community," said Major Philip Cannady of the Fayetteville Police Department.

Police say they have seen a significant drop in the worst kinds of crime.

"I think as long as we continue to have a drop in violent crime and as long as we continue to grow and develop the way we are, I think it tells us we're not there yet, but we're certainly on the right track in terms of where we want to be," Cannady said.

Police say they expect their numbers will improve over the next couple of years.

Fayetteville is not the only city in North Carolina to make the list.

Other North Carolina areas and cities in the survey: