Although the risk of deadly shootings appears to have escalated, violence in the United States is trending downward. In 1995, there were 685 violent incidents per 100,000 people nationwide. By 2014, the national violent crime rate had fallen to 366 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The United States is far from the most peaceful place on earth, however, and some states remain far more violent than others.

24/7 Wall St. generated an index to rank the peacefulness of each U.S. state. States with high violent crime and homicide rates, as well as high estimated small arms ownership and high incarceration rates were identified as less peaceful, while states with lower incidences of these factors were more peaceful. According to our index, Maine is the most peaceful state, while Louisiana is the least peaceful.

In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Dr. Nancy La Vigne, director of the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center, made clear that states are not simply violent, or peaceful. Rather, they fall onto a continuum. This is partially due to the fact that the concentration of violence varies so much geographically, even within states.

“Even within cities that tend to have higher crime rates and even within neighborhoods that are well known to have lots of violent crime, there are pockets of peaceful streets and pockets of violent ones,” La Vigne said.

A slew of factors contribute to violence in a community. La Vigne noted that many factors are involved and anything from low incomes and the presence of 15 to 25 year old men to a combination of environmental conditions can help explain unrest in an area. “Vacant housing, burned out streetlights, [and] signs of disorder … can predict where crime might be more concentrated,” she said.

In the vast majority of the nation’s more peaceful states, households earn higher incomes, while incomes tended to be much lower in more violent states. Of the 25 states on the top end of the peacefulness ranking, only five have poverty rates higher than the national rate of 15.5%. Of the more violent half of states, poverty rates tend to be higher.

A perfectly peaceful community would have no need for weapons or law enforcement workers. Of course, some number of police officers are needed to keep the peace even in the least violent areas. Past a certain threshold, however, large enforcement operations are features of less peaceful states. The ratio of law enforcement employees to state residents exceeded the national proportion of 282 law enforcement workers per 100,000 Americans in eight of the 10 least peaceful states. On the other hand, all but two of the 10 most peaceful states had proportionately smaller police forces.

The connection between law enforcement and peaceful society is not yet completely understood. Crime continued to drop in the United States during the most recent economic downturn, even as police spending dramatically fell. Also, whether more policing equals greater peace largely depends on what police are doing. La Vigne gave the example of aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics, which frequently alienate law-abiding citizens who might otherwise have aided in crime prevention.

The Most Peaceful States

 

 

5. Utah
> Violent crime rate: 215.6 per 100,000 (8th lowest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 2.3 per 100,000 (11th lowest)
> Median household income: $60,922 (13th highest)
> June unemployment rate: 4.0% (15th lowest)

Utah is the most peaceful state in the Western United States and one of the most peaceful in the country. Economic stability is a major driver of peace, and Utah residents are, by many measures, relatively prosperous. Only 11.7% of Utah’s population lives in poverty, a considerably lower share than the 15.5% national poverty rate. Furthermore, people in Utah are more likely to be actively engaged in the workforce than most Americans. The state’s labor force participation rate of 68.4% is the eighth highest in the country.

With a lower poverty rate than the national rate and greater labor force engagement, violent crime is relatively rare in Utah. There are 216 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents each year in Utah, far fewer than the 366 incidents per 100,000 national violent crime rate.

4. Minnesota
> Violent crime rate: 229.1 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Median household income: $61,481 (10th highest)
> June unemployment rate: 3.8% (13th lowest)

States bear much of the cost of violence by paying for enforcement and correctional efforts. People living in violent communities are burdened making ends meet without the aid of family members who may be incarcerated or victimized by violence, or by enduring stress from fear of crime. At the same time, peacefulness can arise from economic prosperity.

Minnesota, one of the most peaceful states in the nation, has a relatively strong economy. The percentage of residents working or looking for work in Minnesota, at 70.5%, is the highest of all states and a strong indication that the economy is doing well. By contrast, the national labor force participation rate is 62.7%. Minnesota residents are also relatively well-off financially. The typical household earns $61,481 annually, the 10th highest median household income nationwide.

3. New Hampshire
> Violent crime rate: 196.1 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 0.9 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Median household income: $66,532 (7th highest)
> June unemployment rate: 2.8% (2nd lowest)

Nationwide, the incidence of violent crime is trending downwards. New Hampshire’s violent crime rate of just under 200 incidents per 100,000 people is well below the national rate of 366 per 100,000 Americans. However, like just 12 other states, crime in the state has risen since 2010. Still, New Hampshire residents live in one of the most peaceful states in the country. Economic prosperity certainly helps keep the peace. Just 9.2% of people live in poverty, and only 2.8% of the workforce is unemployed — the lowest and second-lowest proportions of all states.

High levels of education in a community are strongly associated with peacefulness — and New Hampshire residents tend to be very well educated. The percentages of adults with at least a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree — at 92.0% and 35%, respectively — are each among the highest educational attainment rates of all states.

2. Vermont
> Violent crime rate: 99.3 per 100,000 (the lowest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,166 (20th highest)
> June unemployment rate: 3.2% (5th lowest)

The most peaceful states tend to have relatively small populations, especially states in the Northeast. With a population of 626,562, Vermont is no exception. At 99 reported incidents per 100,000 people, Vermont has the lowest violent crime rate in the country. Property crimes such as larceny, and theft are also less common in Vermont than in any other state.

A person who is either employed or actively seeking work is less likely to commit a violent crime than someone who is completely disengaged. In Vermont, 67.2% of the population participates in the labor force, one of the largest shares of any state in the country. A highly educated population also tends to be more peaceful. In Vermont, 34.9% of the population has a bachelor’s degree, a higher share than in all but a handful other states.

1. Maine
> Violent crime rate: 127.8 per 100,000 (2nd lowest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 1.6 per 100,000 (4th lowest)
> Median household income: $49,462 (19th lowest)
> June unemployment rate: 3.7% (10th lowest)

Based on a range of social and economic measures, Maine is the most peaceful state in the country. There are 128 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in a year, the second lowest rate of all states. With such low crime levels, fewer resources are needed by the state to contain violence. For every 100,000 Mainers, there are 169 prisoners of state correctional facilities, also the second lowest incarceration level of all states.

Maine is part of New England, where lower population densities and relative economic prosperity are likely contributing to less violence. Like most of New England, Maine’s unemployment rate of 3.7% and its poverty rate of 14.1% are each lower than the national rates. However, of the 10 most peaceful states, Maine is the only state where the typical household does not earn more than the national median household income of $53,657.

 

The Most Violent States

5. Nevada
> Violent crime rate: 635.6 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 6.0 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Median household income: $51,450 (24th lowest)
> June unemployment rate: 6.4% (2nd highest)

Nevada’s violent crime rate of 636 incidents per 100,000 state residents is higher than in every other state except for Alaska. In a given year, there are 6.0 murders per 100,000 Nevadans, the sixth highest murder rate. The state also leads nation with 210 robberies reported per 100,000 people, more than double the national robbery rate.

Because high levels of unemployment are associated with suicide, higher incidence of domestic abuse, and crime, a weak economy can exacerbate violence. Like a number of other violent states, Nevada’s unemployment rate of 6.4% is one of the highest compared with other states.

4. Delaware
> Violent crime rate: 489.1 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 5.8 per 100,000 (7th highest)
> Median household income: $59,716 (14th highest)
> June unemployment rate: 4.2% (20th lowest)

Among the nation’s least peaceful states, Delaware has an exceptionally low gun ownership rate. At just 5.2% of adults, it is the lowest of all states. The lack of firearms, however, has not lowered the levels of violence in the state. The violent crime rate, at 489 incidents per 100,000 state residents is among the highest in the country. The state also imprisons a relatively large number of its citizens, a further indication of unrest and one of the major costs state governments incur in containing high levels of violence. For every 100,000 Delaware residents, there are 743 prisoners in state correctional facilities, the highest such figure after only Louisiana.

While it is among the most violent states in the country, Delaware has become much more peaceful in recent years. The state’s violent crime rate dropped by 132 incidents per 100,000 people since 2010, the largest drop of any state.

3. Tennessee
> Violent crime rate: 608.4 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 5.7 per 100,000 (9th highest)
> Median household income: $44,361 (6th lowest)
> June unemployment rate: 4.1% (16th lowest)

More than half of the 20 least peaceful states are located in the South, and Tennessee stands out as one of the least peaceful states in the region. The state reports 608 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people in a year, the third highest rate compared with other states. The high level of violence in Tennessee is driven by a nation-leading aggravated assault rate of 453 reported incidents per 100,000 state residents. By contrast, there are 233 assaults per 100,000 people nationwide.

Unlike a number of other violent states, the incarceration rate in Tennessee, at 439 per 100,000 people, is lower than the national rate. Still, there is a considerable cost to containing violence in the state. For every 100,000 Tennesseans, there are 408 law enforcement workers, the second highest employment level of any state.

2. Alaska
> Violent crime rate: 635.8 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 5.6 per 100,000 (12th highest)
> Median household income: $71,583 (3rd highest)
> June unemployment rate: 6.7% (the highest)

It may be hard to believe that Alaska, home to some of the most remote and expansive stretches of wilderness in the world, is the second least peaceful state in the nation. While crime levels have dropped across the nation, Alaska’s violent crime rate has remained roughly unchanged in recent years. Today, at 636 reported incidents per 100,000 state residents, Alaska has the highest violent crime rate in the nation. In a perfectly peaceful state, no one would own a gun for self defense. The presence of firearms not only increases the risk of violent incidents, but also reflects fear among gun owners and can cause fear in others. In Alaska, 61.7% of adults live in households with at least one firearm, the highest gun ownership rate of all states.

Unlike most of the nation’s least peaceful states, Alaska residents are relatively well-off financially. The typical household earns $71,583, the third highest median household income of all states.

1. Louisiana
> Violent crime rate: 514.7 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate: 10.3 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Median household income: $44,555 (7th lowest)
> June unemployment rate: 6.2% (3rd highest)

In stark contrast with northeastern states, the southern region of the United States is home to the nation’s least peaceful communities. Chief among them is Louisiana, where crime levels remain among the highest in the country. It is the only state in the country with a murder rate of more than 10 homicides per 100,000 residents. Mass shootings — single incidents with at least four shooting victims — are also relatively common in Louisiana. So far this year alone, there have been eight documented mass shootings, which left 31 injured and nine dead. Only six other states have reported greater numbers of injuries from mass shootings in 2016.

Violence in a community often helps to perpetuate poverty, which in turn can exacerbate conditions that trigger violent acts. Nearly 20% of the population lives in poverty in Louisiana, the third highest rate of all states.

To see the full list click here.

Methodology

To identify the most violent and most peaceful states, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on five measures. We were inspired by the 2012 United States Peace Index from the Institute for Economics & Peace, and emulated the Institute’s methodology in order to rank states from most peaceful to most violent. We gave full weight in the index to two of the five measures: the number of murders and the number of violent crimes (excluding murder) per 100,000 people, both of which came from the FBI’s 2014 Uniform Crime Report. Law enforcement employment per 100,000 state residents, which includes civilian employees such as dispatchers and administrators, was given a three-quarter weighting and also came from the FBI. Incarceration rates, which capture state prisons only, were given a three-quarter weighting and came from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Firearm suicides as a percent of total suicides are for 2010 through 2014 to adjust for outliers and are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This was the fifth component of the index and received a one-quarter weight. In the absence of accurate counts of small arms in U.S. households, this measure is closely correlated to and widely used as an approximation of small arms possession because firearms used in suicides are disproportionately small arms. These data sets are frequently based on disparate and inconsistent population totals, so all rates for the purposes of this index were calculated based on 2013 ACS population counts.

In addition to these indexed measures, we reviewed the gun ownership rate in each state as of 2013 obtained from a study published in 2015 from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. The survey asked state residents whether they live in a household with at least one firearm of any kind.

Poverty rates, median household incomes, and the percentages of adults with at least a high school diploma or with at least a college degree in each state came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey.

 

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