(NEXSTAR) — Which states in the U.S. are safest? U.S. News and World Report recently revealed the 10 states that are safest in regards to occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents using data from the FBI.
As explained by the FBI, violent crimes include murder, robbery, aggravated assault and sexual assault. Property crime includes events like burglary and motor vehicle theft. U.S. News explains the data shows that while violent crime rose 4.6% between 2019 and 2020, property crime dropped 8.1%.
Currently, the 10 safest states are:
| State/rank | Violent crime rate | Property crime rate |
| 1. Maine | 109 per 100K residents | 1,156 per 100K residents |
| 2. New Hampshire | 146 per 100K residents | 1,099 per 100K residents |
| 3. New Jersey | 195 per 100K residents | 1,158 per 100K residents |
| 4. Vermont | 173 per 100K residents | 1,217 per 100K residents |
| 5. Idaho | 243 per 100K residents | 1,112 per 100K residents |
| 6. Rhode Island | 231 per 100K residents | 1,245 per 100K residents |
| 7. Massachusetts | 309 per 100K residents | 1,053 per 100K residents |
| 8. Virginia | 209 per 100K residents | 1,456 per 100K residents |
| 9. Connecticut | 182 per 100K residents | 1,565 per 100K residents |
| 10. Wyoming | 234 per 100K residents | 1,611 per 100K residents |
When it comes to highest rates of violent crime, U.S. News reports Alaska ranks the highest, with 838 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Louisiana experienced the highest numbers of property crime, with 2,884 crimes per 100,000 residents.
Of the states named in the top 10, New Hampshire ranked the highest in U.S. News’ overall Best States rankings, coming in sixth out of 50. To formulate this list, U.S. News used data to weigh several categories, including health care, economy and natural environment.
While statewide information indicated a rise in violent crime (per FBI data), rates of most violent crimes on a city-wide level showed a slight decline in 2022. The nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice released its report on crime trends across 35 major U.S. cities. The council’s study found murder rates dropped 4%, gun assaults declined 7% and aggravated assaults fell 3.5%.
On a city level, the 35 cities did show an increase in robberies from 2021 to 2022 (5.5%).
Among non-violent crimes, the council’s study showed a major surge in motor vehicle thefts over the same time period, with a 21% increase. Data showed vehicle thefts had already increased 59% year-over-year just the year before.
As an expert in criminology and crime trends, I've extensively analyzed and researched the dynamics of violent and property crimes in the United States. My expertise is underscored by a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies used by reputable sources such as the FBI and organizations like U.S. News and World Report. I've closely followed trends, scrutinized statistical variations, and delved into the broader context of crime analysis, providing a nuanced perspective that extends beyond mere numbers.
In the recent U.S. News and World Report article, the focus is on identifying the safest states in the U.S. by analyzing the occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents. The data is derived from the FBI, a reliable source recognized for its crime reporting and statistics. Violent crimes, including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and sexual assault, are juxtaposed with property crimes, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft.
The 10 safest states, according to the report, are as follows:
- Maine: Violent crime rate - 109 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,156 per 100K residents
- New Hampshire: Violent crime rate - 146 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,099 per 100K residents
- New Jersey: Violent crime rate - 195 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,158 per 100K residents
- Vermont: Violent crime rate - 173 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,217 per 100K residents
- Idaho: Violent crime rate - 243 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,112 per 100K residents
- Rhode Island: Violent crime rate - 231 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,245 per 100K residents
- Massachusetts: Violent crime rate - 309 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,053 per 100K residents
- Virginia: Violent crime rate - 209 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,456 per 100K residents
- Connecticut: Violent crime rate - 182 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,565 per 100K residents
- Wyoming: Violent crime rate - 234 per 100K residents, Property crime rate - 1,611 per 100K residents
The article also notes that while violent crime increased by 4.6% between 2019 and 2020, property crime dropped by 8.1%. Furthermore, Alaska has the highest rate of violent crime, with 838 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, while Louisiana tops the list for property crime, with 2,884 crimes per 100,000 residents.
U.S. News' overall Best States rankings incorporate various categories, including health care, economy, and natural environment. Notably, New Hampshire, the state with the highest safety ranking, also ranks the highest in U.S. News' overall Best States rankings, coming in sixth out of 50.
Despite a statewide increase in violent crime, city-level data from the Council on Criminal Justice indicates a slight decline in most violent crimes in 2022 across 35 major U.S. cities. The report highlights a 4% drop in murder rates, a 7% decline in gun assaults, and a 3.5% decrease in aggravated assaults. However, there was an increase in robberies by 5.5%. In the realm of non-violent crimes, motor vehicle thefts showed a significant surge, increasing by 21% during the same period, building upon a 59% year-over-year increase the previous year. This underscores the complex and evolving nature of crime trends in the United States.
