Safest Cities in America for 2024
In Brief
- WalletHub ranked over 180 U.S. cities based on safety, considering both physical and financial risks.
- South Burlington, Vermont, was named the safest city, while Memphis, Tennessee, ranked as the least safe.
- Tucson, Arizona, had the highest traffic fatalities, while Detroit topped the list for assaults.
- Cities with the highest natural disaster risks include several in Texas, while Alaska had the lowest.
A New Report Highlights the Varying Levels of Safety Across U.S. Cities
A new report from WalletHub highlights the varying levels of safety across U.S. cities, examining how well different areas protect their residents from physical and financial dangers.
With threats ranging from public health crises and natural disasters to mass shootings and traffic accidents, safety concerns extend beyond physical harm, according to WalletHub. Financial issues, such as rising inflation, unaffordable mortgages, lack of health insurance, and identity theft, also contribute to Americans’ worries.
WalletHub’s analysis compared over 180 cities based on 41 key safety indicators, including traffic fatalities, assaults per capita, unemployment rates, and the percentage of uninsured residents.
Top 5 Safest Cities in the U.S.
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Casper, Wyoming
- Warwick, Rhode Island
- Burlington, Vermont
- Boise, Idaho
Top 5 Least Safe Cities in the U.S.
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Detroit, Michigan
- Memphis, Tennessee
Report Highlights
According to the report, Tucson, Arizona, has the most traffic fatalities per capita, followed by St. Louis, Missouri; Jackson, Mississippi; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Memphis, Tennessee. WalletHub noted that there are 21 times more traffic fatalities in Memphis than in Boise, Idaho, which has the fewest.
In terms of assaults, Detroit tops the list for the most assaults per capita. Other cities with high assault rates include Birmingham, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; and Oakland, California.
When it comes to hate crimes, Washington, D.C., has the most hate crimes per capita. Other cities with high rates of hate crimes include Salem, Oregon; Birmingham, Alabama; Boston, Massachusetts; and Vancouver, Massachusetts. Cities with the fewest hate crimes include Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Corpus Christi, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia.
Cities with the lowest unemployment rates are South Burlington, Vermont; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Miami, Florida. Those with the highest unemployment rates include Chicago, Illinois; Stockton, California; and North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Natural disasters are also a major concern, especially after Hurricane Helene impacted Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
According to WalletHub, the cities with the highest natural disaster risk are four cities in Texas — Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, and Houston — and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cities with the lowest risk include Juneau and Anchorage, Alaska; Vancouver, Washington; Lewiston, Maine; and Casper, Wyoming.
Source
Information for this story was taken from WalletHub’s website. WalletHub used data from U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, TransUnion, Parents for Megan’s Law, U.S. Fire Administration, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wm. Robert Johnston, Federal Trade Commission, and others.
Conclusion
The report highlights the importance of considering both physical and financial safety when evaluating the safety of a city. While some cities excel in one area, they may struggle in another. It is essential for residents and visitors to be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions to ensure their well-being.
FAQs
Q: What factors did WalletHub consider when ranking the safest cities in the U.S.?
A: WalletHub considered 41 key safety indicators, including traffic fatalities, assaults per capita, unemployment rates, and the percentage of uninsured residents.
Q: Which city was named the safest in the report?
A: South Burlington, Vermont, was named the safest city in the report.
Q: Which city was ranked as the least safe?
A: Memphis, Tennessee, was ranked as the least safe city in the report.
Q: What were the top 5 safest cities in the U.S.?
A: The top 5 safest cities in the U.S. were South Burlington, Vermont; Casper, Wyoming; Warwick, Rhode Island; Burlington, Vermont; and Boise, Idaho.
Q: What were the top 5 least safe cities in the U.S.?
A: The top 5 least safe cities in the U.S. were New Orleans, Louisiana; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; and Memphis, Tennessee.
