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NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2019

Jan 2, 2019 | by: Dr. Andrew Schiller | Crime
NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2019

Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.

The safest cities in America are not remote, rural places. They are closer than you think. They may not be big, but often they are just minutes from the largest cities in the U.S.

One of America’s safest cities is just 3 miles from Manhattan, and 7 miles from Central Park, in the heart of New York City. That city is Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fully eleven of them are within the New York Metro area.

In many ways, these cities serve as neighborhoods within the large metro area.

view of George Washington Bridge in Manhattan from Fort Lee, NJ
View of Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge from one of America’s safest cities, 2019

Similarly, NeighborhoodScout’s research revealed nineteen of the safest cities are in the Boston metro area, and eight are in California, including Danville, which is a scant 22 minutes from Oakland, one of the nation’s most dangerous cities. This is a common pattern our researchers have noted: the safest and most dangerous parts of America’s great urban areas are often just a few miles apart.

Lake in the Hills, IL, the safest city in America for 2019, is a well-to-do community in the Chicago area, while Chicago itself is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. In his book The Big Sort, author Bill Bishop describes how America is sorting itself by income, education, and lifestyle into isolated communities. The pattern of crime and safety reflects this social sorting, not just by region but by city and neighborhood within the same commuting zone.

Our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of total crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city.

Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2017 and released in September 2018, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.

Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.

For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.

 

1. Lake in the Hills, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 3.0
  • Number of Crimes: 87
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 333

2. Franklin, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 3.3
  • Number of Crimes: 110
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 300

3. Shrewsbury, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 3.5
  • Number of Crimes: 131
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 285

4. Bergenfield, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 3.8
  • Number of Crimes: 108
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 259

5. Pleasant Grove, UT

  • Total Crime Rate: 4.1
  • Number of Crimes: 160
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 243

6. Marshfield, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 4.5
  • Number of Crimes: 117
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 221

7. North Ridgeville, OH

  • Total Crime Rate: 4.7
  • Number of Crimes: 157
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 213

8. Florence, AZ

  • Total Crime Rate: 5.5
  • Number of Crimes: 143
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 182

9. Bartlett, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 5.7
  • Number of Crimes: 234
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 176

10. Buffalo Grove, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 5.7
  • Number of Crimes: 235
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 175

11. Harrison, NY

  • Total Crime Rate: 5.8
  • Number of Crimes: 167
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 171

12. Ballwin, MO

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.0
  • Number of Crimes: 181
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 167

13. Colleyville, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.0
  • Number of Crimes: 161
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 166

14. Cheshire, CT

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.1
  • Number of Crimes: 178
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 165

15. Brunswick, OH

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.2
  • Number of Crimes: 215
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 162

16. Hutto, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.3
  • Number of Crimes: 160
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 159

17. Independence, KY

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.3
  • Number of Crimes: 175
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 158

18. Huntley, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.4
  • Number of Crimes: 174
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 156

19. Reading, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.4
  • Number of Crimes: 167
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 156

20. Little Elm, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.5
  • Number of Crimes: 303
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 154

21. Long Beach, NY

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.6
  • Number of Crimes: 221
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 153

22. Needham, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.6
  • Number of Crimes: 203
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 153

23. Billerica, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.6
  • Number of Crimes: 289
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152

24. Arlington, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.6
  • Number of Crimes: 300
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152

25. Rexburg, ID

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.6
  • Number of Crimes: 187
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152

26. Keller, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 6.9
  • Number of Crimes: 328
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 144

27. Ridgewood, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.1
  • Number of Crimes: 183
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 140

28. Newton, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.1
  • Number of Crimes: 634
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 140

29. Rochester Hills, MI

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.1
  • Number of Crimes: 529
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 140

30. Hanover Park, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.3
  • Number of Crimes: 277
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137

31. Weston, FL

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.3
  • Number of Crimes: 519
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137

32. Beverly, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.3
  • Number of Crimes: 306
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137

33. Wellesley, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.3
  • Number of Crimes: 216
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136

34. Merrimack, NH

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.4
  • Number of Crimes: 190
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 135

35. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.4
  • Number of Crimes: 362
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 135

36. Plum, PA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.5
  • Number of Crimes: 203
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134

37. South Kingstown, RI

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.5
  • Number of Crimes: 231
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133

38. Saratoga, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.5
  • Number of Crimes: 232
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133

39. North Andover, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.7
  • Number of Crimes: 239
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 130

40. Carmel, IN

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.7
  • Number of Crimes: 712
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129

41. Johns Creek, GA

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.8
  • Number of Crimes: 659
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 128

42. Greenwich, CT

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.8
  • Number of Crimes: 492
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 128

43. Park Ridge, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 7.9
  • Number of Crimes: 297
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126

44. Saratoga Springs, UT

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.0
  • Number of Crimes: 238
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 124

45. Cumberland, RI

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.1
  • Number of Crimes: 284
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123

46. Cliffside Park, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.2
  • Number of Crimes: 205
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123

47. Milton, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.3
  • Number of Crimes: 230
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120

48. Bella Vista, AR

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.4
  • Number of Crimes: 238
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120

49. Mundelein, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.4
  • Number of Crimes: 263
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 119

50. Belmont, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.5
  • Number of Crimes: 224
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 118

51. Aliso Viejo, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.5
  • Number of Crimes: 440
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117

52. Melrose, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.5
  • Number of Crimes: 242
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117

53. New Berlin, WI

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.6
  • Number of Crimes: 341
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117

54. Milton, GA

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.6
  • Number of Crimes: 336
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116

55. Lockport, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.7
  • Number of Crimes: 220
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116

56. Fort Lee, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.7
  • Number of Crimes: 328
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116

57. Westfield, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.7
  • Number of Crimes: 264
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115

58. Plainfield, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 8.7
  • Number of Crimes: 382
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115

59. Wakefield, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.0
  • Number of Crimes: 244
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 111

60. Palatine, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.0
  • Number of Crimes: 620
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 111

61. Friendswood, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.0
  • Number of Crimes: 360
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 111

62. Londonderry, NH

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.3
  • Number of Crimes: 243
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 108

63. Arlington Heights, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.3
  • Number of Crimes: 704
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 107

64. Sayreville, NJ

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.3
  • Number of Crimes: 423
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 107

65. Wylie, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.4
  • Number of Crimes: 470
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 106

66. Laguna Niguel, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.5
  • Number of Crimes: 631
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 105

67. Caledonia, WI

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.6
  • Number of Crimes: 239
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 105

68. Gloucester, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.6
  • Number of Crimes: 289
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 104

69. Flower Mound, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.6
  • Number of Crimes: 738
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 104

70. Soledad, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.7
  • Number of Crimes: 254
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 103

71. Danville, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.7
  • Number of Crimes: 435
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 103

72. Fishers, IN

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.8
  • Number of Crimes: 898
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 102

73. Wheeling, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 9.8
  • Number of Crimes: 379
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 102

74. Wheaton, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.0
  • Number of Crimes: 532
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 100

75. De Pere, WI

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.0
  • Number of Crimes: 250
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 100

76. Andover, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.0
  • Number of Crimes: 359
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 100

77. St. Charles, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.0
  • Number of Crimes: 328
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 100

78. Lakeville, MN

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.0
  • Number of Crimes: 642
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 99

79. Hoffman Estates, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.1
  • Number of Crimes: 521
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 99

80. Kaysville, UT

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.2
  • Number of Crimes: 323
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 98

81. Madison, MS

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.2
  • Number of Crimes: 262
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 98

82. Carol Stream, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.2
  • Number of Crimes: 409
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 98

83. Shelton, CT

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.2
  • Number of Crimes: 424
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 98

84. Brentwood, TN

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.3
  • Number of Crimes: 440
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 97

85. Bethel Park, PA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.3
  • Number of Crimes: 335
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 97

86. Royal Oak, MI

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.4
  • Number of Crimes: 612
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 97

87. Bridgewater, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.4
  • Number of Crimes: 286
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 96

88. Chaska, MN

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.4
  • Number of Crimes: 277
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 96

89. Westfield, IN

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.5
  • Number of Crimes: 413
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 96

90. North Providence, RI

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.5
  • Number of Crimes: 342
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 95

91. Watertown, MA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.5
  • Number of Crimes: 377
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 95

92. Lake Forest, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.6
  • Number of Crimes: 894
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 94

93. Spanish Fork, UT

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.7
  • Number of Crimes: 420
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 94

94. Moorpark, CA

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.7
  • Number of Crimes: 392
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 94

95. Winter Springs, FL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.7
  • Number of Crimes: 393
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 93

96. Cibolo, TX

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.7
  • Number of Crimes: 314
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 93

97. Oswego, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.8
  • Number of Crimes: 375
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 93

98. Westport, CT

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.8
  • Number of Crimes: 303
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 93

99. Windsor, CO

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.8
  • Number of Crimes: 274
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 92

100. Des Plaines, IL

  • Total Crime Rate: 10.8
  • Number of Crimes: 631
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 92