These are the Safest States in America, According to New Report

When you’re raising kids, feeling safe in your community matters just as much as finding a good school or nearby park. But it isn’t always easy to decide where to put down roots for a safe and happy future.

To help give parents-to-be a little context, personal-finance company WalletHub recently released its latest report on the safest states in America. The in-depth look at state-by-state safety evaluated all 50 states across more than 52 key safety indicators to determine which are the safest. From bullying rates to assaults per capita and financial losses from climate disasters, WalletHub divided its 52 indicators into five main categories:

• Personal and residential safety
• Financial safety
• Road safety
• Workplace safety
• Emergency preparedness

Once divided and weighted, each state was given a score of 1–100 on each key indicator. The states with the highest overall scores ranked as the safest in the nation.

Top 10 Safest States in America

1. Vermont
2. Massachusetts
3. New Hampshire
4. Maine
5. Utah
6. Connecticut
7. Hawaii
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Wyoming

At the top of the list sits Vermont, largely due to its high neighborhood safety scores. Nearly 75% of parents in Vermont believe they live in safe neighborhoods—the fourth-highest percentage in the country. The state also has the 15th-fewest aggravated assaults and the 24th-fewest thefts per capita. To top it off, Vermont excels when it comes to financial and road safety, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and the second-best road quality in the U.S.

Coming in a close second is Massachusetts. Consistently ranked as the best state to raise a family, the Bay State shines when it comes to financial security, low-crime rates and minimal vulnerability to natural disasters. Parents benefit from the third-best job security rate in the country and the fourth-best annual growth rate for new jobs. It also has the fourth-fewest thefts and relatively low rates of sexual crimes and drug arrests.

Rounding out the top three is another Northeastern standout: New Hampshire. The Granite State lands in third place thanks to its low crime rates and safe neighborhoods. New Hampshire reports the fewest mass shootings, the fewest murders per capita, and the second-fewest thefts per capita. Nearly 79% of residents feel that they live in safe neighborhoods, the highest percentage in the country, while 72% feel that their children go to safe schools, the seventh-highest percentage.

No matter where you live, safety looks a little different for every family.While rankings like these can offer helpful perspective, what matters most is finding a place where you feel supported, connected and at ease. Learn more about how to be the village you are looking for here and see WalletHub’s full rankings of each state at WalletHub.com.