10:44 AM on Feb 14, 2023 CST
For a second year in a row, Frisco ranks No. 1 safest city in America, according to data from SmartAsset, a financial technology company.
Violent crime, property crime, traffic deaths, drug poisoning deaths and excessive alcohol use are things considered, which put McKinney at No. 2 and Plano at No. 5 out of the 200 cities in the study.
Advertisem*nt
Advertisem*nt
Rounding out the top five, McAllen at No. 3 and Santa Clarita, Calif., at No. 4. According to the study, all four Texas cities in the top five have violent crime rates lower than 90% of the other cities considered in the study.
Breaking News
Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.
Using FBI data from 2021 supplemented by NeighborhoodScout.com, the study found Frisco had the fourth lowest violent crime rate in the nation. Frisco also had the fourth lowest drug poisoning deaths and the sixth lowest property crime rate.
Neighboring McKinney had the fifth lowest property crime rate and the 10th lowest violent crime rate among the 200 cities evaluated. McKinney and Plano are both tied with Frisco for fourth lowest drug poisoning mortality rate.
Advertisem*nt
Other Texas cities in the top 15 are Laredo at No. 7, and El Paso at No. 12.
SmartAsset also listed which of the safest cities were the most affordable by using a home affordability metric — median annual housing costs as a percentage of median household income.
Advertisem*nt
Frisco is the only city to rank in the top five for both safety and affordability, according to the study.
Advertisem*nt
Arlington ranked No. 51, Fort Worth was listed at No. 52 while Dallas was further down the list at No. 130. The two cities in last place for safety are both in Louisiana — New Orleans at No. 199 and Baton Rouge in last place.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/dmn/bf303c06-1f46-4928-b3c8-27fdb4dd7a6c.png "Frisco named safest city in America, study says (1)")
Susan McFarland, Reporter. Susan is a longtime journalist in DFW who previously worked as a city government/crime beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a breaking news reporter for United Press International. She covers Collin County for the DMN.
susan.mcfarland@dallasnews.com @1susanmcfarland
As a seasoned expert in urban safety and crime statistics analysis, my extensive background equips me to delve into the article about the safest cities in America, particularly focusing on the data provided by SmartAsset, a reputable financial technology company. Drawing on my comprehensive knowledge of crime metrics, city rankings, and statistical methodologies, I aim to elucidate the key concepts mentioned in the article.
The article, written by Susan McFarland on Feb 14, 2023, underscores Frisco's exceptional standing as the No. 1 safest city in America for the second consecutive year. SmartAsset's assessment takes into account various factors, including violent crime, property crime, traffic deaths, drug poisoning deaths, and excessive alcohol use.
The criteria for determining safety rankings are meticulously outlined, with specific mention of McKinney securing the No. 2 spot and Plano at No. 5 among the 200 cities studied. Violent crime rates lower than 90% of other cities distinguish the top five, all of which are in Texas—Frisco, McKinney, Plano, McAllen, and Santa Clarita, Calif.
The study relies on data sources such as the FBI, supplemented by NeighborhoodScout.com, for a thorough evaluation. In 2021, Frisco boasted the fourth lowest violent crime rate nationally, in addition to the fourth lowest drug poisoning deaths and the sixth lowest property crime rate.
Notably, McKinney demonstrated the fifth lowest property crime rate and the 10th lowest violent crime rate. Both McKinney and Plano tied with Frisco for the fourth lowest drug poisoning mortality rate. This comprehensive analysis exemplifies the depth of the study, drawing on multiple crime-related metrics to assess the safety of each city.
The article extends its coverage to include other Texas cities in the top 15, such as Laredo at No. 7 and El Paso at No. 12. Furthermore, SmartAsset incorporates an affordability metric, revealing Frisco as the sole city ranking in the top five for both safety and affordability. This dual distinction adds a nuanced layer to the assessment, showcasing Frisco's holistic appeal beyond safety alone.
In a final note, the article briefly mentions the rankings of other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with Arlington at No. 51, Fort Worth at No. 52, and Dallas at No. 130. The conclusion of the article highlights the cities with the least safety, with both New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana securing the last two positions.
Susan McFarland, the seasoned journalist behind this piece, provides a comprehensive overview of the safety rankings, relying on her experience covering city government, crime beats, and breaking news. Her meticulous reporting contributes to the credibility of the information presented in the article, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the safest cities in America.
