Home > Blog

NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2023

Jan 12, 2023 | by: The NeighborhoodScout Team | Crime, Top Lists
NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2023

2023 Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.

This year, research for NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America list showed significant shifts in rankings across the nation. Notable improvements include Oswego, IL, jumping from a ranking of 86 to 12; Wakefield, MA, moving from 47 to 18; and Brandon, MS, shifting from 83 to 30. There were also a few cities that dropped in ranking, including Hutto, TX, moving from a ranking of 10 to 88; Cheshire, CT, changing from 14 to 68; and Rahway, NJ, falling from 32 to 85.

List regular Franklin, MA was replaced by Ridgefield, CT as the Safest City in America after a two-year run. With only seven violent crimes and 42 property crimes, Ridgefield has an overall crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 population and is considered safer than 92% of U.S. cities. Interestingly, cities located in Massachusetts dominated the list this year, a total of 26 which includes Franklin, and were sprinkled in rank across the list, most of which are close to the hub of Boston. One city of note is Marshfield, with a violent crime rate of 1.01 per 1,000 population and is safer than 86% of U.S. cities.

As a reminder, our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents.  Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of total crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city.  Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2021 and released in October 2022, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.

Areas with a township form of government are eligible for the safest cities list for the fist time in 2023. Qualifying townships must have their own police departments, at least 25,000 population and a unique name recognized by the US Postal Service.  Safest townships appearing on the list include: Montclair, NJ (# 86); Commerce Township, MI (# 38); West Bloomfield, MI (# 22); and White Lake, MI (# 15).

For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.

 

Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.

1. Ridgefield, CT

  • Population: 25,011
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 1.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 510
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

2. Franklin, MA

  • Population: 33,036
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 344
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

3. Lake in the Hills, IL

  • Population: 28,945
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
    • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 321
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

4. Marshfield, MA

  • Population: 25,869
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 300
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

5. Arlington, MA

  • Population: 45,617
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 292
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

6. Fulshear, TX

  • Population: 25,169
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 276
  • Major City Nearby: Houston

7. Zionsville, IN

  • Population: 31,702
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 275
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

8. Lexington, MA

  • Population: 34,071
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 270
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

9. Muskego, WI

  • Population: 25,242
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 265
  • Major City Nearby: Milwaukee

10. Rexburg, ID

  • Population: 35,300
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 253
  • Major City Nearby: N/A

11. Independence, KY

  • Population: 28,920
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 253
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

12. Oswego, IL

  • Population: 35,316
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 238
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

13. Milton, MA

  • Population: 28,388
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 233
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

14. Needham, MA

  • Population: 32,048
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 233
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

15. White Lake, MI

  • Population: 30,990
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 233
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

16. Avon Lake, OH

  • Population: 25,588
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 232
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

17. Madison, MS

  • Population: 27,719
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 221
  • Major City Nearby: Jackson

18. Wakefield, MA

  • Population: 27,104
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 218
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

19. Windsor, CO

  • Population: 35,788
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 218
  • Major City Nearby: Greeley

20. South Kingstown, RI

  • Population: 31,851
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 212
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

21. Colleyville, TX

  • Population: 25,986
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 206
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

22. West Bloomfield, MI

  • Population: 65,560
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 204
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

23. Johns Creek, GA

  • Population: 82,065
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 202
  • Major City Nearby: Atlanta

24. Billerica, MA

  • Population: 41,453
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 195
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

25. Mason, OH

  • Population: 35,089
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 192
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

26. Reading, MA

  • Population: 25,223
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 192
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

27. North Andover, MA

  • Population: 30,711
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 190
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

28. Wellesley, MA

  • Population: 30,191
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 189
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

29. Mundelein, IL

  • Population: 31,560
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 187
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

30. Brandon, MS

  • Population: 25,373
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 186
  • Major City Nearby: Jackson

31. Cumberland, RI

  • Population: 36,434
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 184
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

32. Andover, MA

  • Population: 36,517
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 182
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

33. Edwardsville, IL

  • Population: 25,218
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 178
  • Major City Nearby: St. Louis

34. Little Elm, TX

  • Population: 51,042
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 176
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

35. Merrimack, NH

  • Population: 27,132
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 172
  • Major City Nearby: Manchester

36. Waltham, MA

  • Population: 64,015
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

37. Wylie, TX

  • Population: 59,394
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

38. Commerce Township, MI

  • Population: 38,718
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

39. Milton, GA

  • Population: 41,259
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 167
  • Major City Nearby: Atlanta

40. Melrose, MA

  • Population: 29,312
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 164
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

41. Ballwin, MO

  • Population: 30,870
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 162
  • Major City Nearby: St. Louis

42. North Kingstown, RI

  • Population: 27,911
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 162
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

43. Beverly, MA

  • Population: 42,446
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 161
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

44. Rochester Hills, MI

  • Population: 76,028
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 160
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

45. Keller, TX

  • Population: 45,397
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
    • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 158
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

46. Shrewsbury, MA

  • Population: 38,999
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 156
  • Major City Nearby: Worcester

47. Dracut, MA

  • Population: 32,159
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 155
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

48. Prosper, TX

  • Population: 34,136
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 155
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

49. Newton, MA

  • Population: 87,453
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

50. Friendswood, TX

  • Population: 41,004
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152
  • Major City Nearby: Houston

51. McHenry, IL

  • Population: 27,372
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 152
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

52. Fort Mill, SC

  • Population: 27,991
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 151
  • Major City Nearby: Charlotte

53. Wallingford, CT

  • Population: 44,194
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 146
  • Major City Nearby: New Haven

54. Caledonia, WI

  • Population: 25,229
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 144
  • Major City Nearby: Racine

55. Belmont, MA

  • Population: 26,838
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 144
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

56. De Pere, WI

  • Population: 25,335
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 143
  • Major City Nearby: Green Bay

57. Flower Mound, TX

  • Population: 77,243
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 142
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

58. Easton, MA

  • Population: 25,247
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 141
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

59. Highland Park, IL

  • Population: 30,177
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 141
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

60. Carmel, IN

  • Population: 100,777
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 138
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

61. Sachse, TX

  • Population: 29,042
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 138
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

62. Algonquin, IL

  • Population: 29,944
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

63. Hendersonville, TN

  • Population: 62,257
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137
  • Major City Nearby: Nashville

64. San Luis, AZ

  • Population: 37,333
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: Yuma

65. Fishers, IN

  • Population: 101,171
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 135
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

66. Perrysburg, OH

  • Population: 25,114
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 135
  • Major City Nearby: Toledo

67. Lake Stevens, WA

  • Population: 36,288
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134
  • Major City Nearby: Seattle

68. Cheshire, CT

  • Population: 28,628
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134
  • Major City Nearby: New Haven

69. Milford, MA

  • Population: 30,277
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Worcester

70. Saratoga Springs, UT

  • Population: 44,164
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Provo

71. Bella Vista, AR

  • Population: 30,808
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Fayetteville

72. Princeton, NJ

  • Population: 30,872
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: Trenton

73. Bluffton, SC

  • Population: 32,191
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 130
  • Major City Nearby: Bluffton

74. Novi, MI

  • Population: 66,560
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 130
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

75. Chelmsford, MA

  • Population: 35,933
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 130
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

76. Amherst, MA

  • Population: 39,378
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Springfield

77. Rosemount, MN

  • Population: 26,642
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Minneapolis

78. Gloucester, MA

  • Population: 29,952
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

79. Syracuse, UT

  • Population: 33,331
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 127
  • Major City Nearby: Ogden

80. Waukee, IA

  • Population: 26,495
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Des Moines

81. Mequon, WI

  • Population: 25,200
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Milwaukee

82. Westfield, IN

  • Population: 50,630
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

83. Spring Hill, TN

  • Population: 53,339
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Nashville

84. Upper Arlington, OH

  • Population: 36,295
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

85. Rahway, NJ

  • Population: 29,911
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: New York

86. Montclair, NJ

  • Population: 40,935
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: New York

87. Greenwich, CT

  • Population: 63,514
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

88. Hutto, TX

  • Population: 30,855
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 124
  • Major City Nearby: Austin

89. Vestavia Hills, AL

  • Population: 38,801
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Birmingham

90. Brownsburg, IN

  • Population: 30,068
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

91. Wilmette, IL

  • Population: 27,587
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

92. New Milford, CT

  • Population: 28,182
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: N/A

93. Hilliard, OH

  • Population: 36,892
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

94. Royal Oak, MI

  • Population: 57,953
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

95. Derry, NH

  • Population: 34,354
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 121
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

96. Dublin, OH

  • Population: 49,085
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

97. West Warwick, RI

  • Population: 31,188
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

98. Watertown, MA

  • Population: 35,149
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

99. Walpole, MA

  • Population: 26,652
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

100. Kaysville, UT

  • Population: 32,976
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Ogden