Study Reveals the 10 Safest States by Crime Rates
Americans are no strangers to crime. But data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows that crime rates differ significantly across states.
Do you live in a state with one of the lowest crime rates in the nation?
Crime Against Persons
Innerbody.com analyzed “crime against persons” statistics from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to determine the states with the lowest crime rates.
To determine the states with the lowest crime rates, Innerbody ranked states according to the following crime types, weighing them as follows:
- Homicide offenses (50%)
- Sex offenses (20%)
- Kidnapping/abduction (11%)
- Human trafficking offenses (11%)
- Assaults (8%)
Here’s how the results panned out.
1: New Jersey
New Jersey has the lowest crime rates in the nation, according to Innerbody’s study. Firearm laws are strict in New Jersey, and the Garden State has the lowest rate of assault at only 43 cases per 10,000 residents.
2: Vermont
Vermont ranks as the second state with the lowest crime rate. The Green Mountain State has lower-than-average abductions, kidnappings, human trafficking, and sex offenses.
3: Connecticut
Connecticut is one of seven states on this list to have strict firearm laws and low crime. The Nutmeg State also has the sixth lowest homicide and assault rates in the nation.
4: Rhode Island
Tiny Rhode Island packs a punch with a low crime rate. Only two states (New Jersey and Vermont) outrank Rhode Island as having the lowest homicide and assault rates.
5: Maryland
Maryland is the fifth state in the US with the lowest crime rate. Despite the Free State ranking number eight for the prevalence of mental health illness, a recent study shows there’s a greater chance of a person with mental health issues being the victim of a violent crime than performing a violent crime.
6: New York
New York marks yet another Northeastern state with low crime rates. As with several states before it, the Empire State has strong firearm laws. It also ranks seventh in the nation for the fewest abductions and kidnappings.
7: Maine
Maine is a pro-firearm advocate’s dream, showing the nation that firearm possession doesn’t always correlate with high violent crime rates. The Pine Tree State’s constitutional carry policy means certain people can legally carry a registered gun, potentially preventing higher rates of violent crime incidents.
8: Idaho
Idaho has the seventh-lowest rate of homicides and assaults in the nation. The Gem State has an open carry policy, meaning a concealed firearms license isn’t required.
9: Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents have the advantage of low rates of sex offenses, kidnappings, human trafficking, and abductions. As with several states on this list, it also has some of the strictest firearm policies in the nation.
10: Hawaii
Hawaii is the last state to squeeze into the coveted top ten states with the lowest crime rates. The Aloha State’s low crime may be attributed to its strong firearm control policies.
What’s So Great About Jersey?
Innerbody reasons that New Jersey’s strict firearm laws may have something to do with the Garden State having the lowest crime rate in America. New Jersey has the second strictest firearm regulations in the nation after California. Interestingly, California didn’t make it onto this list.
The Missing State
Innerbody didn’t include Florida in its rankings. The reason? Individual police departments voluntarily submit crime data to the FBI’s NIBRS. Since Florida didn’t submit crime data, Innerbody didn’t have it to work with.
Perception vs Reality
According to Innerbody’s research, no fewer than 60% of Americans believe that more crimes are happening across the nation compared to the previous year. However, between 1993 and 2019, violent crime plummeted by 49%.
Highest Crime
Nevada has the highest crime rate in the United States. The Silver State has a massive 22.6 crime score, ranking in the top ten for all five violent crime categories that Innerbody assessed.
Runners Up
New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alaska ranked as the second to fifth states with the highest crime rates in the nation. Whereas most states with the lowest crime rates are in the Northeast, five out of the top ten states with the highest crime rates are in the South.
Most Common Crime
Assault is the most commonly reported crime that happens in the US. Arkansas is the biggest offender, with almost 214 assaults per 10,000 people.
Staying Safe
According to Innerbody’s research, the 60-minute period between 12:00 am and 1:00 am is when Americans have the highest chance of experiencing violent crime.
A Twist
Despite alcohol being in customers’ systems, bars and nightclubs have exceptionally low rates of violent crime. Instead, almost half of all violent crime in the US occurs in residential homes.
Getting Help
If you’re a victim or know of a victim of domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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