BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

These are the safest small towns and cities, study finds

Buffalo Grove, Illinois, is one of the safest small cities in America, according to a MoneyGeek analysis. (Photo: Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

Testing widget old system

Lorenzo shared

(NEXSTAR) — Small towns are often idealized as family-friendly, safe havens of comfortable living. But does the reality live up to the perfect image?

MoneyGeek had researchers analyze FBI crime data of smaller towns and cities where the population is between 30,000 and 100,000. They used the crime data to calculate the cost of crime in each area.

The cost of crime includes impacts to victims, like the loss of stolen property and medical bills, MoneyGeek explained, as well as the cost to the justice system. Violent crimes typically result in a higher cost than nonviolent crimes, MoneyGeek said.

After crunching the numbers, and comparing the list of smaller cities to its data on crime in large cities, researchers found the stereotype to generally be true – with some noteworthy exceptions. Petersburg, Virginia, for example, was the most dangerous small city analyzed. Its per capita cost of crime was a whopping $9,022, according to MoneyGeek.

Federal Way, Washington, which is just outside Tacoma, had a cost of crime per capita the same as New York City. Federal Way’s population is under 100,000, while New York’s is over 8 million.

But that’s enough about the sneakily dangerous small towns of America. MoneyGeek also ranked the safest of the spots.

The top-10 safest small towns or cities, ranked by their low cost of crime per capita, are:

  1. Buffalo Grove, Illinois ($22 per capita)
  2. Franklin, Massachusetts ($32 per capita)
  3. Carmel Town, New York ($35 per capita)
  4. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts ($38 per capita)
  5. Bartlett, Illinois ($39 per capita)
  6. Monroe Township, New Jersey ($39 per capita)
  7. Long Beach, New York ($42 per capita)
  8. Orland Park, Illinois ($49 per capita)
  9. Yorktown Town, New York ($53 per capita)
  10. Lexington, Massachusetts ($59 per capita)

The full list, as well as the safest town or city in every state, can be found here.

U.S.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Cloudy

la

70°F Cloudy Feels like 70°
Wind
7 mph SW
Humidity
67%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
62°F Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
6 mph W
Precip
13%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous