The U.S. violent crime rate — an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rаpe, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — climbed by 5% in 2020. The increase was driven by a rise in aggravated assault and, most notably, a historic 29% surge in homicides that made 2020 the deadliest year in the United States since the mid-1990s.
Despite rising violence nationwide — and the largest single-year increase in homicides on record — many parts of the country remain relatively safe. In nearly every state, there is at least one city with a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the safest city in every state. Cities are ranked by the violent crime rate — specifically, the number of violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents. Only cities with populations of at least 25,000 were considered.
It is important to note that in four states — Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Vermont — there is only one city with available data. In each of these cases, which are noted, the city listed ranks as the safest in the state by default only. In Hawaii, there are no eligible cities with available crime data.
Though each of the cities on this list ranks as the safest in its state, violent crime rates in these cities vary considerably, from as low as 11 incidents per 100,000 people to as high as 857 per 100,000. Still, violent crime rates in nearly every city on this list are lower than the rate across the state as a whole.
Potential explanations for lower levels of violence in these places are varied, though one factor may be relative financial security in these cities, as low-income communities in the U.S. are disproportionately burdened by crime.
One study found that individuals with family incomes of less than $15,000 annually are three times more likely to be victimized by crime than those with family incomes of $75,000 or more. In most cities on this list, the share of residents living on poverty-level income is lower than the statewide poverty rate. Here is a look at the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.
Click here to see the safest city in every state
Click here to see our detailed methodology
Alabama: Enterprise*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 448.0 (Alabama: 453.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 128 (Alabama: 22,322)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Alabama: 471)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,569
*Because Enterprise is the only eligible city in Alabama, it is the safest city by default.
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Alaska: Fairbanks
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 843.3 (Alaska: 837.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 260 (Alaska: 6,126)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Alaska: 49)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,832
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Arizona: Oro Valley
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 57.9 (Arizona: 484.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 27 (Arizona: 35,980)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Arizona: 513)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 46,634
Arkansas: Bella Vista
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 188.8 (Arkansas: 671.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 55 (Arkansas: 20,363)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Arkansas: 321)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,138
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California: Rancho Santa Margarita
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 39.7 (California: 442.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 19 (California: 174,026)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (California: 2,203)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,894
Colorado: Castle Rock
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 63.2 (Colorado: 423.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 45 (Colorado: 24,570)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Colorado: 294)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 71,150
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Connecticut: Shelton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 41.2 (Connecticut: 181.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 17 (Connecticut: 6,459)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Connecticut: 140)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 41,302
Delaware: Newark
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 237.0 (Delaware: 431.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 80 (Delaware: 4,262)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Delaware: 73)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 33,752
Florida: Parkland
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 22.4 (Florida: 383.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 8 (Florida: 83,368)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Florida: 1,290)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,773
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Georgia: Milton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 37.2 (Georgia: 400.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 15 (Georgia: 42,850)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Georgia: 943)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,368
Hawaii: No eligible cities
> Violent crimes per 100k people: N/A (Hawaii: 254.2)
> Number of violent crimes: N/A (Hawaii: 3,576)
> Murders reported in 2020: N/A (Hawaii: 41)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: N/A
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Idaho: Rexburg
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 30.1 (Idaho: 242.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 9 (Idaho: 4,432)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Idaho: 41)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,865
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Illinois: Buffalo Grove
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 12.4 (Illinois: 425.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 5 (Illinois: 53,612)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Illinois: 1,151)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,380
Indiana: Zionsville
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 48.6 (Indiana: 357.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 14 (Indiana: 24,161)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Indiana: 505)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,824
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Iowa: Bettendorf
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 100.2 (Iowa: 303.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 37 (Iowa: 9,601)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Iowa: 111)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 36,926
Kansas: Leawood
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 42.8 (Kansas: 425.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 15 (Kansas: 12,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Kansas: 100)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,054
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Kentucky: Independence
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 72.5 (Kentucky: 259.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 21 (Kentucky: 11,600)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Kentucky: 323)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,957
Louisiana: Kenner
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 268.4 (Louisiana: 639.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 178 (Louisiana: 29,704)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 (Louisiana: 734)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 66,308
Maine: South Portland
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 125.0 (Maine: 108.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 32 (Maine: 1,466)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Maine: 22)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,593
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Maryland: Bowie*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 103.4 (Maryland: 399.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 61 (Maryland: 24,215)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Maryland: 553)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 59,008
*Because Bowie is the only eligible city in Maryland, it is the safest city by default.
Massachusetts: Franklin Town
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 17.5 (Massachusetts: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 6 (Massachusetts: 21,288)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Massachusetts: 160)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 34,281
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Michigan: Rochester Hills
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 68.1 (Michigan: 478.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 51 (Michigan: 47,641)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Michigan: 754)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 74,913
Minnesota: Chaska
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 40.2 (Minnesota: 277.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 11 (Minnesota: 15,698)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Minnesota: 190)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,353
Mississippi: Clinton
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 65.7 (Mississippi: 291.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 16 (Mississippi: 8,638)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Mississippi: 315)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 24,349
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Missouri: Ballwin
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 63.2 (Missouri: 542.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 19 (Missouri: 33,385)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Missouri: 723)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,044
Montana: Bozeman
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 305.1 (Montana: 469.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 157 (Montana: 5,077)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Montana: 54)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 51,460
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Nebraska: Kearney
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 356.7 (Nebraska: 334.1)
> Number of violent crimes: 122 (Nebraska: 6,473)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Nebraska: 69)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 34,201
Nevada: Henderson
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 207.9 (Nevada: 460.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 682 (Nevada: 14,445)
> Murders reported in 2020: 13 (Nevada: 180)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 328,056
New Hampshire: Dover
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 73.9 (New Hampshire: 146.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 24 (New Hampshire: 2,000)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (New Hampshire: 12)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,480
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New Jersey: Westfield
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 27.2 (New Jersey: 195.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 8 (New Jersey: 17,353)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (New Jersey: 329)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,389
New Mexico: Carlsbad
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 645.0 (New Mexico: 778.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 195 (New Mexico: 16,393)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 (New Mexico: 164)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,233
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New York: Glen Cove
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 11.0 (New York: 363.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 3 (New York: 70,339)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (New York: 808)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,186
North Carolina: Apex
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 48.1 (North Carolina: 419.3)
> Number of violent crimes: 30 (North Carolina: 44,451)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (North Carolina: 852)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 62,320
North Dakota: West Fargo
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 142.6 (North Dakota: 329.0)
> Number of violent crimes: 55 (North Dakota: 2,518)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (North Dakota: 32)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 38,561
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Ohio: Upper Arlington
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 30.9 (Ohio: 308.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 11 (Ohio: 36,104)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Ohio: 820)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,557
Oklahoma: Bixby
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 69.3 (Oklahoma: 458.6)
> Number of violent crimes: 20 (Oklahoma: 18,255)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Oklahoma: 296)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,840
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Oregon: West Linn
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 44.6 (Oregon: 291.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 12 (Oregon: 12,380)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Oregon: 125)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 26,916
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 857.0 (Pennsylvania: 389.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 422 (Pennsylvania: 49,793)
> Murders reported in 2020: 23 (Pennsylvania: 1,009)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 49,244
*Because Harrisburg is the only eligible city in Pennsylvania, it is the safest city by default.
Rhode Island: Warwick
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 81.9 (Rhode Island: 230.8)
> Number of violent crimes: 66 (Rhode Island: 2,440)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Rhode Island: 32)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 80,605
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South Carolina: Mount Pleasant
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 99.3 (South Carolina: 530.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 94 (South Carolina: 27,691)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (South Carolina: 549)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 94,704
South Dakota: Aberdeen
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 558.0 (South Dakota: 501.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 159 (South Dakota: 4,476)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (South Dakota: 40)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,494
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Tennessee: Brentwood
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 43.7 (Tennessee: 672.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 19 (Tennessee: 46,328)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Tennessee: 663)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 43,454
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Texas: University Park
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 15.8 (Texas: 446.5)
> Number of violent crimes: 4 (Texas: 131,084)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Texas: 1,931)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,253
Utah: Herriman
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 65.7 (Utah: 260.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 37 (Utah: 8,471)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Utah: 102)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 56,312
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Vermont: Burlington*
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 352.3 (Vermont: 173.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 151 (Vermont: 1,081)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Vermont: 14)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 42,862
*Because Burlington is the only eligible city in Vermont, it is the safest city by default.
Virginia: Salem
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 51.3 (Virginia: 208.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 13 (Virginia: 17,925)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 (Virginia: 524)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,326
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Washington: Mercer Island
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 15.2 (Washington: 293.7)
> Number of violent crimes: 4 (Washington: 22,596)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Washington: 301)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 26,268
West Virginia: Morgantown
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 156.0 (West Virginia: 355.9)
> Number of violent crimes: 48 (West Virginia: 6,352)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (West Virginia: 117)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,775
Wisconsin: New Berlin
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 70.5 (Wisconsin: 323.4)
> Number of violent crimes: 28 (Wisconsin: 18,861)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported (Wisconsin: 308)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 39,703
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Wyoming: Gillette
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 193.2 (Wyoming: 234.2)
> Number of violent crimes: 62 (Wyoming: 1,364)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 (Wyoming: 18)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,093
Methodology
To determine the safest city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rаpe, robbery, and aggravated assault. The rate of violent crimes per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
We included cities that have more than 25,000 people based on five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though these states were not excluded from analysis.
Poverty rates are five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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