20 Safest States for 2009
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No Need to Lock Your Doors?
The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 20 states were ranked as the safest for 2009.
States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.
Click through our gallery and see if your state made the list.
First Up: The No. 1 Safest State -
No. 1: New Hampshire
New Hampshire is ranked No. 1 for the second time thanks to impressively low crime across the board. It boasts the nation's lowest murder rate and second-lowest aggravated assault and burglary rates.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 49
Burglary: 46
Murder: 50
Motor Vehicle Theft: 48
Rape: 38
Robbery: 43
Next: No. 2 Safest State -
PictureQuest
No. 2: Vermont
Vermont was the safest state in 2003 along with 1994 & 1996. It is back up two spots this year, rising from its fourth place position in 2008.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 48
Burglary: 37
Murder: 42
Motor Vehicle Theft: 47
Rape: 47
Robbery: 49
Next: No. 3 Safest State -
Photodisc
No. 3: Maine
The Pine Tree state has been ranked in the top three each of the past 16 years. It has the lowest assault rate in the U.S.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 50
Burglary: 36
Murder: 47
Motor Vehicle Theft: 49
Rape: 30
Robbery: 44
Next: No. 4 Safest State -
No. 4: North Dakota
After dominating the Safest State list for the past decade, the Peace Garden state suffered its lowest ranking since 1996 last year -- coming in at No. 3. This year it drops another notch to No. 4.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 47
Burglary: 47
Murder: 42
Motor Vehicle Theft: 46
Rape: 24
Robbery: 50
Next: No. 5 Safest State -
Jay Clarke/ MCT
No. 5: South Dakota
As one of the safest states to live in, South Dakota suffers from a shockingly high incidence of rape, but ranks in the top five in four other categories.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 46
Burglary: 50
Murder: 41
Motor Vehicle Theft: 50
Rape: 13
Robbery: 48
Next: No. 6 Safest State -
Getty Images
No. 6: Montana
Some credit Montana's low crime rate to the high level of gun ownership. Since most criminals are looking for easy targets, this may keep some in line.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 23
Burglary: 49
Murder: 48
Motor Vehicle Theft: 40
Rape: 28
Robbery: 45
Next: No. 7 Safest State -
Photodisc
No. 7: Wyoming
Wyoming is a great example of a state with low income and low economic growth that does not fall prey to major crime.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 31
Burglary: 42
Murder: 34
Motor Vehicle Theft: 43
Rape: 27
Robbery: 46
Next: No. 8 Safest State -
No. 8: Iowa
The Hawkeye State pulls in the No. 8 ranking for the fifth year in a row thanks to above average scores in all six crime categories.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 27
Burglary: 32
Murder: 49
Motor Vehicle Theft: 42
Rape: 28
Robbery: 42
Next: No. 9 Safest State -
jupiterimages
No. 9: Rhode Island
The Ocean State improved four spots in 2008. This year, it climbs another three spots thanks to improved rates for murder, motor vehicle theft and rape.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 45
Burglary: 39
Murder: 45
Motor Vehicle Theft: 25
Rape: 41
Robbery: 37
Next: No. 10 Safest State -
No. 10: Connecticut
Connecticut is the state where many New Yorkers relocate when it's time to raise a family and give in to the hour-plus commute to the Big Apple. A plus: low levels of assault, burglary and rape.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 44
Burglary: 43
Murder: 36
Motor Vehicle Theft: 30
Rape: 48
Robbery: 25
Next: No. 11 Safest State -
jupiterimages
No. 11: Idaho
Idaho is a regular on most of the best places to live lists published from various media venues, thanks to its much touted city, Boise. But they need to work on that rape statistic.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 32
Burglary: 40
Murder: 32
Motor Vehicle Theft: 44
Rape: 14
Robbery: 47
Next: No. 12 Safest State -
Bob Downing, Akron Beacon Journal / MCT
No. 12: West Virginia
West Virginia is seeing an influx of commuters from the Washington D.C. metro region (including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland) for its low crime rate and more affordable land and housing.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 29
Burglary: 27
Murder: 31
Motor Vehicle Theft: 39
Rape: 46
Robbery: 41
Next: No. 13 Safest State -
Stevens Point Convention & Visitors Bureau
No. 13: Wisconsin
Wisconsin consistently ranks well below the national crime average, but it dropped three places this year, from No. 10 in 2008.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 36
Burglary: 38
Murder: 32
Motor Vehicle Theft: 35
Rape: 44
Robbery: 28
Next: No. 14 Safest State -
Photodisc
No. 14: Virginia
The Old Dominion State improves one position for the fourth year in a row and holds its best ranking since 2001.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 42
Burglary: 45
Murder: 23
Motor Vehicle Theft: 41
Rape: 43
Robbery: 26
Next: No. 15 Safest State -
Getty Images
No. 15: New York
Improving four spots from 2008, New York has one of the lowest rates of rape in the country.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 24
Burglary: 48
Murder: 28
Motor Vehicle Theft: 45
Rape: 49
Robbery: 10
Next: No. 16 Safest State -
Getty Images
No. 16: New Jersey
Taking a cue from New York, New Jersey also improved four spots this year -- moving up from No. 20 in 2008. It has the lowest rate of rape in America, beating New York by one spot.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 35
Burglary: 44
Murder: 26
Motor Vehicle Theft: 32
Rape: 50
Robbery: 16
Next: No. 17 Safest State -
No. 17: Utah
Home to one of the safest cities in America, Orem, the Beehive State loses its No. 13 ranking and drops four spots to No. 17.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 41
Burglary: 30
Murder: 39
Motor Vehicle Theft: 20
Rape: 19
Robbery: 40
Next: No. 18 Safest State -
EyeWire
No. 18: Minnesota
Minnesota scored in the top 20 for all crime categories, except rape.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 39
Burglary: 31
Murder: 39
Motor Vehicle Theft: 34
Rape: 15
Robbery: 32
Next: No. 19 Safest State -
Photodisc
No. 19: Nebraska
Nebraska's strongest category was robbery. Its weakest was motor vehicle theft and assault.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 28
Burglary: 35
Murder: 30
Motor Vehicle Theft: 27
Rape: 30
Robbery: 39
Next: No. 20 Safest State -
David Teagle, ZUMA Press
No. 20: Oregon
Oregon made it into the top 20 this year, after ranking No. 21 last year. Its high rate of motor vehicle theft drags the state down in the rankings.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 34
Burglary: 26
Murder: 42
Motor Vehicle Theft: 13
Rape: 21
Robbery: 35
· More on CQ Press's Ranking
Next: Most Dangerous States -
Alex Brandon, AP
Most Dangerous States
You've seen the safest states in America for 2009, now check out which states CQ Press ranked as the most dangerous.
· Next Gallery: Most Dangerous States
Next: America's Safest Cities -
Cary, NC (www.townofcary.org)
Safest Cities in America
California, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Massachusetts all have cities that made it into the the top 10 list of safest American cities.
· See Next Gallery: America's Safest Cities
Next: More on WalletPop -
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Recent Comments
Rainyday kissez 02:26:38 PM Apr 08 2009
Plus, because more people go to college in these states, they can get better jobs and make higher incomes, which in turn provides for less want and general angst in the population, I think.
Rainyday kissez 02:26:13 PM Apr 08 2009
..sorry, continued again. And to all those people questioning why NY is on the list, do you realize that there is a whole state of NY out there, that NY does not soley comprise of NYC? I've been to NY state and it is peaceful, quiet, and even country-esque in some places. Besides that, I really think education plays a big role here. There's a lot of north-eastern states on this list. As it is generally known (and supported by higher test scores and larger numbers of people going to college) that the northeastern states have the best schools and teachers (in fact, NJ compensates their teachers better than any other state besides NY) I think education definetly plays a big role in how safe and healthy a state can be. I mean, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton are arguably the best universities in this country and they are all right here in the northeast. Plus, because more people go to college in these states, they can get better jobs and make higher incomes, which in turn provides for
Rainyday kissez 02:13:51 PM Apr 08 2009
That's so weird... my comment was posted but did not actually show up? Anyway, so you guys know, NJ is one of the most densely populated, diverse states in this country. It's far too simplistic to boil crime down to how many black people live there. Rather, I'd say that it's because NJ is so diverse racially speaking, people learn to stop associating people with the color of their skin and actually just see them as people. It's pretty hard to be racist when you grow up with Indians, Blacks, Jews, Asians, and Hispanics, in your elementary school classes and living down the street from you, wouldn't you say? As someone who believes that rape is possibly the most heinous crime that can be committed, I am very happy that I live in the state with the least likelihood that crime will be committed. We may not be perfect here in NJ, (hell, all you have to say is "Camden") but I'd much rather live in NJ than Oregon, where your chances of being raped comparitvely more than double! And, to
Rainyday kissez 02:00:36 PM Apr 08 2009
Ok. Do the people who think NY being on the list is bogus realize that NY doesn't comprise solely of NY City!?!? There's a whole state of New York out there that is quiet, peaceful and yes, even country-esque. Now, I'm sure Oregon is beautiful, and I would love to go there and see it someday, but rape is rated at a 21! I would much rather live in Nj, the state where you are least likely to be raped, than move to Oregon, where it doesn't even make the top 25! that means your chance to be raped in Oregon is more than doubled compared to NJ. As I truly think one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed is rape, I have to say, I am so so happy I live in NJ.
Springanook 07:15:26 AM Apr 08 2009
I don't know where you get your averages for these states from, yes, Virginia is a great state to live in, but here on the East Coast(Norfolk,Portsmouth,Chesapeake,Hampton,Newport News,Williamsburg) we have had WAY over the murders that is stated. Alarmingly so the rate fluxates, but its up there. Also, thier school systems are not the best, but so-so. We have alot of Northern people coming down this way bring thier gang related problems along.
JDevil1735 07:04:52 PM Apr 06 2009
continued.. New Jersey also contains some of the safest places and most beautiful places in the country, such as Princeton - home to Princeton University. Brick and Toms River are routinely rated as the safest places in the country. There is a reason why Jackie Kennedy Onassis had a home in New Jersey and Oprah Winfrey has a beach house at the Jersey Shore - not to mention so many other famous and wealthy people who can live anywhere they wish. For those who really only know about New Jersey through the movies and latenight comedians, you can learn more about the TRUE New Jersey at - http://www.AboutNewJersey.com
JDevil1735 07:04:11 PM Apr 06 2009
continued.. New Jersey also contains some of the safest places and most beautiful places in the country, such as Princeton - home to Princeton University. Brick and Toms River are routinely rated as the safest places in the countryThere is a reason why Jackie Kennedy Onassis had a home in New Jersey and Oprah Winfrey has a beach house at the Jersey Shore - not to mention so many other famous and wealthy people who can live anywhere they wish.For those who really only know about New Jersey through the movies and latenight comedians, you can learn more about the TRUE New Jersey at - http://www.AboutNewJersey.com
JDevil1735 07:01:46 PM Apr 06 2009
Well - I noticed the negative comments that people had - particularly it seems from people in the northwest. I have been to 40 state and lived in six of them - including both Oregon and New Jersey. All I can say that once again New Jersey gets a bad wrap by how it is portrayed on TV and no one has any idea what New Jersey is like.On the other hand - I also lived in Portland Oregon - I saw the drug addicts and homeless, not to mention the almost nightly event of another meth lab being taken down. I'm not saying I didn't love Oregon, the scenery is beautiful and I loved Mount Hood and the falls along the Columbia, but to act like it has no problems or that it's better than New Jersey just shows people are ignorant.Yeah - Camden has problems and Newark has HAD problems. But Newark is nothing like it is portrayed in the movies or on TV. New Jersey also contains some of the safest places and most beautiful places in the country, such as Princeton - home to Princeton University. Brick and To
JDevil1735 06:16:19 PM Apr 06 2009
Well - I noticed the negative comments that people had - particularly it seems from people in the northwest. I have been to 40 state and lived in six of them - including both Oregon and New Jersey. All I can say that once again New Jersey gets a bad wrap by how it is portrayed on TV and no one has any idea what New Jersey is like. On the other hand - I also lived in Portland Oregon - I saw the drug addicts and homeless, not to mention the almost nightly event of another meth lab being taken down. I'm not saying I didn't love oregon, the scenery is beautiful and I loved Mount Hood and the Falls along the Columbia, but to act like it has no problems or that it's better than New Jersey goes shows people are ignorant. Yeah - Camden has problems and Newark has HAD problems. But Newark is nothing like it is portrayed in the movies. New Jersey also contains some of the safest places and most beautiful places in the country, such as Princeton - home to Princeton University. Brick and T
Tbryant2b 09:29:53 PM Apr 02 2009
The safest place you can find is where you are in your life, not what state or states you may or may not live but where you can honestly say I'm safe....
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