The U.S. violent crime rate — an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rаpe, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — climbed by 5% in 2020. The increase was driven by a rise in aggravated assault and, most notably, a historic 29% surge in homicides that made 2020 the deadliest year in the United States since the mid-1990s.
Despite rising violence nationwide — and the largest single-year increase in homicides on record — many parts of the country remain relatively safe. In some U.S. cities, violent crime rates are a fraction of the national rate.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified America’s 50 safest cities. Cities are ranked by the violent crime rate — specifically, the number of violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents. Only cities with populations of 25,000 or more were considered.
No city on this list has a violent crime rate that exceeds 51 incidents per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the national violent crime rate stands at 399 per 100,000 people. The largest share of these cities are located in Midwestern states, including eight in Illinois and another seven in Ohio.
Potential explanations for lower levels of violence in these places are varied, though one may be relative financial security, as low-income communities in the U.S. are disproportionately burdened by crime.
One study found that individuals with family incomes of less than $15,000 annually are three times more likely to be victimized by crime than those with family incomes of $75,000 or more. In all but a handful of cities on this list, the share of residents living on poverty-level income is lower than the 13.4% national poverty rate. Here is a look at the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.
Click here to see America’s safest cities
Click here to see our methodology
50. Westfield, Indiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 50.6
> Number of violent crimes: 23 — 68th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 45,469
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49. Weston, Florida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 50.1
> Number of violent crimes: 36 — 133rd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 71,815
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48. Beavercreek, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 50.0
> Number of violent crimes: 24 — 74th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 48,029
Source: alexeys / Getty Images
47. Carmel, Indiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 49.5
> Number of violent crimes: 51 — 214th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 103,100
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46. Palatine, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 49.0
> Number of violent crimes: 33 — 120th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 67,358
45. Zionsville, Indiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 48.6
> Number of violent crimes: 14 — 27th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 28,824
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44. Mount Prospect, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 48.5
> Number of violent crimes: 26 — 86th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 53,570
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43. Apex, North Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 48.1
> Number of violent crimes: 30 — 103rd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 62,320
42. Bergenfield, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 47.5
> Number of violent crimes: 13 — 22nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,347
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41. Yorba Linda, California
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 47.0
> Number of violent crimes: 32 — 112th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 68,017
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
40. Danville, California
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 46.9
> Number of violent crimes: 21 — 56th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 44,800
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39. Moorpark, California
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 46.5
> Number of violent crimes: 17 — 39th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 529th highest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 36,573
Source: Kathryn Farley / iStock via Getty Images
38. West Linn, Oregon
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 44.6
> Number of violent crimes: 12 — 20th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 26,916
Source: smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
37. Bowling Green, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 44.3
> Number of violent crimes: 14 — 27th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 31,621
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36. Dublin, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 44.0
> Number of violent crimes: 22 — 63rd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 49,954
35. Peachtree City, Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 43.9
> Number of violent crimes: 16 — 36th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 36,421
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34. Brentwood, Tennessee
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 43.7
> Number of violent crimes: 19 — 47th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 43,454
Source: J.C. Marciniak / iStock via Getty Images
33. North Royalton, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 43.3
> Number of violent crimes: 13 — 22nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 30,007
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
32. Leawood, Kansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 42.8
> Number of violent crimes: 15 — 30th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,054
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31. Strongsville, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 42.6
> Number of violent crimes: 19 — 47th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 44,623
30. Southlake, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 42.3
> Number of violent crimes: 14 — 27th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 33,083
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29. North Olmsted, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 41.7
> Number of violent crimes: 13 — 22nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 31,176
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28. Shelton, Connecticut
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 41.2
> Number of violent crimes: 17 — 39th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 41,302
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27. Minnetonka, Minnesota
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 40.3
> Number of violent crimes: 22 — 63rd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 54,561
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26. Chaska, Minnesota
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 40.2
> Number of violent crimes: 11 — 16th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,353
25. Huntley, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 39.9
> Number of violent crimes: 11 — 16th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,566
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24. Rancho Santa Margarita, California
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 39.7
> Number of violent crimes: 19 — 47th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 47,894
Source: Josip_Brombauer / Getty Images
23. Long Beach, New York
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 38.9
> Number of violent crimes: 13 — 22nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 33,461
Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons
22. Johns Creek, Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 38.6
> Number of violent crimes: 33 — 120th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 443rd highest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 85,408
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21. Moscow, Idaho
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 38.6
> Number of violent crimes: 10 — 14th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,918
20. Orland Park, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 37.9
> Number of violent crimes: 22 — 63rd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 57,993
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19. Milton, Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 37.2
> Number of violent crimes: 15 — 30th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,368
18. Fair Lawn, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 36.5
> Number of violent crimes: 12 — 20th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,910
Source: aimintang / E+ via Getty Images
17. Princeton, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 35.0
> Number of violent crimes: 11 — 16th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 31,458
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16. Ridgewood, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 32.0
> Number of violent crimes: 8 — 7th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,036
15. Edwardsville, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 31.6
> Number of violent crimes: 8 — 7th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,327
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14. Upper Arlington, Ohio
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 30.9
> Number of violent crimes: 11 — 16th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,557
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13. Northbrook, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 30.4
> Number of violent crimes: 10 — 14th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 32,927
Source: Bret-Barton / Getty Images
12. Rexburg, Idaho
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 30.1
> Number of violent crimes: 9 — 12th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,865
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11. Colleyville, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 29.0
> Number of violent crimes: 8 — 7th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,602
Source: Tomsmith585 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Westfield, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 27.2
> Number of violent crimes: 8 — 7th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,389
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9. Sammamish, Washington
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 25.4
> Number of violent crimes: 17 — 39th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 380th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 66,878
Source: TahirAbbas / Getty Images
8. Parkland, Florida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 22.4
> Number of violent crimes: 8 — 7th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 35,773
7. Bartlett, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 22.2
> Number of violent crimes: 9 — 12th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,577
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6. Harrison, New York
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 20.6
> Number of violent crimes: 6 — 5th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 29,110
5. Franklin Town, Massachusetts
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 17.5
> Number of violent crimes: 6 — 5th lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 34,281
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4. University Park, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 15.8
> Number of violent crimes: 4 — 2nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 25,253
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3. Mercer Island, Washington
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 15.2
> Number of violent crimes: 4 — 2nd lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 26,268
2. Buffalo Grove, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 12.4
> Number of violent crimes: 5 — 4th lowest of 1,287 cities
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 40,380
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1. Glen Cove, New York
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 11.0
> Number of violent crimes: 3 — the lowest of 1,287 cities
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 1,287 cities (tied)
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 27,186
Methodology:
To determine the 50 safest U.S. cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rаpe, robbery, and aggravated assault. The rate of violent crimes per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
We included cities that have more than 25,000 people based on five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though areas in these states were not excluded from analysis.
Additional information on population within the jurisdictions reporting figures to the FBI are also from the 2020 FBI UCR. Poverty rates are five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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