Analytics firm NeighborhoodScout this week released its Top 100 Safest Cities list, which ranked metros with populations of 25,000 based on crime rates, taking into account both violent (armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, homicide) and property-related (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) crimes.
Ridgefield, Connecticut, nabbed the top spot with a crime (violent and property) rate of 2.95 crimes per 1,000 residents, making it safer than 95 percent of U.S. cities. In comparison, Connecticut as a whole has a crime rate of 20.35.
In addition to a low crime rate, NeighborhoodScout says Ridgefield’s proximity to employment opportunities in New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and Danbury, Connecticut, and top-ranked public schools make the community a no-brainer for homebuyers.
Although Connecticut is home to the safest city, Massachusetts proved to be the safest state, with 19 of its metros making the list, including Franklin (no. 2), Lexington (no. 3) and Shrewsbury (no. 4).
Illinois, California, Connecticut, Texas, and New Jersey also had an impressive presence, with at least 5 metros from each state on the list.
“We continue to see bedroom communities, which are within large metro areas and near major urban centers like Boston, Chicago, and New York, make the top of our list,” said NeighborhoodScout and Location, Inc. founder and CEO Dr. Andrew Schiller in a press release.
“These safe communities within the urban/suburban fabric of America’s largest metropolitan areas often combine access to high-paying jobs in the urban center, decent schools, and a high quality of life. This access to opportunity increases home values, with the result often being lower crime.”
The top 10 safest cities according to NeighborhoodScout are:
- Ridgefield, CT
- Bergenfield, NJ
- Franklin, MA
- Lexington, MA
- Shrewsbury, MA
- Zionsville, IN
- Buffalo Grove, IL
- Weston, FL
- Lake in the Hills, IL
See where your city ranks here.