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NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2020

Jan 2, 2020 | by: Dr. Andrew Schiller | Crime
NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2020

Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.

Readers might think America’s safest cities are remote communities.

Yet all but one of the top 100 safest cities (Rexburg, Idaho) are in metropolitan America, often in some of America’s most populous metros.  Many of the safest cities are suburban cities big enough to be included in the study, yet just miles from the center city.  These places offer the best of both worlds: incredible safety from crime plus access to good jobs, good schools and lots of big city amenities.

NeighborhoodScout’s research revealed nineteen of the safest cities are in the Boston metro region, four of which are in the top 10.  Seventeen are in Illinois including Naperville, which is a large suburb of Chicago.

Zionsville, IN is the safest city in America for 2020, a suburban town which prides itself on its village-styled downtown area that is paved entirely in brick and lined with small retail stores and restaurants.  Zionsville is only 14 miles from downtown Indianapolis which is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.

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 the number of total crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and the population of each city.

Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2018 and released in September 2019, 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. Zionsville, IN

  • Population: 27,153
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 439
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

2. Ridgefield, CT

  • Population: 25,008
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 385
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

3. Milton, MA

  • Population: 27,616
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 368
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

4. Bergenfield, NJ

  • Population: 27,479
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 352
  • Major City Nearby: New York

5. Shrewsbury, MA

  • Population: 37,973
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 322
  • Major City Nearby: Worcester

6. North Ridgeville, OH

  • Population: 33,889
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 319
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

7. Long Beach, NY

  • Population: 33,534
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 305
  • Major City Nearby: New York

8. Franklin, MA

  • Population: 33,230
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 275
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

9. Lexington, MA

  • Population: 33,792
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 272
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

10. Hutto, TX

  • Population: 26,434
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 270
  • Major City Nearby: Austin

11. Harrison, NY

  • Population: 27,896
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 249
  • Major City Nearby: New York

12. Naperville, IL

  • Population: 148,304
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 223
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

13. Marshfield, MA

  • Population: 25,905
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 221
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

14. North Royalton, OH

  • Population: 30,239
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 215
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

15. Bartlett, IL

  • Population: 40,931
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 210
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

16. Billerica, MA

  • Population: 43,784
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 207
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

17. Rexburg, ID

  • Population: 28,687
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 205
  • Major City Nearby: N/A

18. Andover, MA

  • Population: 36,403
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 202
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

19. Arlington, MA

  • Population: 45,624
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 199
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

20. Lake in the Hills, IL

  • Population: 28,835
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 193
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

21. Needham, MA

  • Population: 31,248
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 192
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

22. Brunswick, OH

  • Population: 34,897
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 179
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

23. Melrose, MA

  • Population: 28,193
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 172
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

24. Windsor, CO

  • Population: 28,967
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 172
  • Major City Nearby: Greeley

25. Sammamish, WA

  • Population: 65,733
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 171
  • Major City Nearby: Seattle

26. Palatine, IL

  • Population: 68,053
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 170
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

27. Colleyville, TX

  • Population: 26,945
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

28. Merrimack, NH

  • Population: 25,969
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Manchester

29. Reading, MA

  • Population: 25,337
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 168
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

30. Muskego, WI

  • Population: 25,103
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 165
  • Major City Nearby: Milwaukee

31. Florence, AZ

  • Population: 26,419
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 163
  • Major City Nearby: Phoenix

32. Weston, FL

  • Population: 71,210
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 161
  • Major City Nearby: Miami

33. Independence, KY

  • Population: 28,109
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 158
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

34. Ridgewood, NJ

  • Population: 25,272
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 157
  • Major City Nearby:  New York

35. Cliffside Park, NJ

  • Population: 25,935
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 156
  • Major City Nearby: New York

36. Greenwich, CT

  • Population: 62,727
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 156
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

37. Hanover Park, IL

  • Population: 37,747
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 155
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

38. Belmont, MA

  • Population: 26,330
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 150
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

39. Mundelein, IL

  • Population: 31,234
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 146
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

40. Caledonia, WI

  • Population: 25,074
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 146
  • Major City Nearby: Racine

41. Rochester Hills, MI

  • Population: 74,696
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 146
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

42. Buffalo Grove, IL

  • Population: 40,853
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 145
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

43. Wellesley, MA

  • Population: 29,673
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 140
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

44. Little Elm, TX

  • Population: 50,314
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 139
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

45. Johns Creek, GA

  • Population: 84,310
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137
  • Major City Nearby: Atlanta

46. Keller, TX

  • Population: 47,350
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

47. Soledad, CA

  • Population: 26,013
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: Salinas

48. Beverly, MA

  • Population: 42,312
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 135
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

49. Port Chester, NY

  • Population: 29,282
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134
  • Major City Nearby: New York

50. Westfield, NJ

  • Population: 29,881
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133
  • Major City Nearby: New York

51. Shelton, CT

  • Population: 41,097
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

52. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

  • Population: 48,325
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Los Angeles

53. South Kingstown, RI

  • Population: 30,650
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

54. Lockport, IL

  • Population: 25,508
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

55. Hilliard, OH

  • Population: 36,414
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

56. Highland Park, IL

  • Population: 29,622
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

57. Fort Lee, NJ

  • Population: 37,921
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: New York

58. Sayreville, NJ

  • Population: 44,556
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 128
  • Major City Nearby: New York

59. Newton, MA

  • Population: 88,904
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 127
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

60. Holly Springs, NC

  • Population: 36,749
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: Raleigh

61. Mason, OH

  • Population: 33,586
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 124
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

62. Wakefield, MA

  • Population: 27,135
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

63. Bridgewater, MA

  • Population: 27,395
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

64. Carmel, IN

  • Population: 93,510
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

65. North Andover, MA

  • Population: 31,296
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

66. Plum, PA

  • Population: 27,135
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: Pittsburgh

67. Milton, GA

  • Population: 39,217
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: Atlanta

68. Saratoga Springs, UT

  • Population: 31,393
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: Provo

69. Moorpark, CA

  • Population: 36,576
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 119
  • Major City Nearby: Oxnard

70. Kaysville, UT

  • Population: 32,095
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 119
  • Major City Nearby: Ogden

71. Ballwin, MO

  • Population: 30,188
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 119
  • Major City Nearby: St. Louis

72. St. Charles, IL

  • Population: 33,032
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 118
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

73. Syracuse, UT

  • Population: 30,400
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 118
  • Major City Nearby: Ogden

74. Cheshire, CT

  • Population: 29,179
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117
  • Major City Nearby: New Haven

75. Bella Vista, AR

  • Population: 28,661
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117
  • Major City Nearby: Fayetteville

76. Plainfield, IL

  • Population: 44,138
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

77. Lakeville, MN

  • Population: 65,877
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Minneapolis

78. Westport, CT

  • Population: 28,115
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

79. Saratoga, CA

  • Population: 30,599
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: San Jose

80. Wylie, TX

  • Population: 51,585
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

81. Watertown, MA

  • Population: 35,954
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 114
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

82. Danville, CA

  • Population: 44,650
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 113
  • Major City Nearby: San Francisco

83. Winter Springs, FL

  • Population: 37,321
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 113
  • Major City Nearby: Orlando

84. Londonderry, NH

  • Population: 26,302
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 112
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

85. Arlington Heights, IL

  • Population: 75,249
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 112
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

86. Oswego, IL

  • Population: 35,237
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 112
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

87. Dublin, OH

  • Population: 48,647
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 110
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

88. Spanish Fork, UT

  • Population: 39,961
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 110
  • Major City Nearby: Provo

89. Flower Mound, TX

  • Population: 77,329
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

90. Friendswood, TX

  • Population: 40,181
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: Houston

91. Wheeling, IL

  • Population: 38,878
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

92. Fishers, IN

  • Population: 93,362
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 108
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

93. Chaska, MN

  • Population: 27,765
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 108
  • Major City Nearby: Minneapolis

94. Royal Oak, MI

  • Population: 59,461
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 108
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

95. Bethel Park, PA

  • Population: 32,501
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 108
  • Major City Nearby: Pittsburgh

96. Hoffman Estates, IL

  • Population: 51,197
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 107
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

97. Bolingbrook, IL

  • Population: 75,178
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 107
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

98. Cumberland, RI

  • Population: 34,977
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 107
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

99. Rahway, NJ

  • Population: 29,880
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 106
  • Major City Nearby: New York

100. Glen Ellyn, IL

  • Population: 27,928
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 106
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago