The Safest City in Each State Ranked

Safety is a big priority, not just for residents of towns and cities, but also for the travelers that visit them. While we compiled a list of the top ten safest countries and international cities, this list focuses just on the cities in the United States, courtesy of CCTV Camera World, which analyzed data from the FBI on crimes committed across the country in 2020 to compile the list.

Wayland, Massachusetts is the safest city in the entire country and in Massachusetts, with the country's lowest crime rate. With a population of under 15,000, it's considered on the smaller side and is a suburbs of Boston. Wayland has existed since the 1600s, offering historic buildings and houses as well as plentiful opportunities to get in touch with nature, like the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Hamlen Woods and Minute Man Historical Park.

Northport, New York is the state's safest city and the nation's second safest. It's a historic port on Long Island, with under 7,500 residents. This charming coastal town offers the second lowest crime rate in the country. Today, it's known as a great day-trip destination for New Yorkers and travelers alike, with its nautical-themed restaurants and beautiful waterfront.

Considered the nation's third safest city, Milton, Wisconsin's population is just over 5,500. It's a great place to live because of its small size and close proximity to Illinois, for some Wisconsin residents will live near the border and drive into Illinois to work. It's home to the iconic Milton House Museum, the Milton Ice Age Trail, Storrs Lake and Timber Hill Winery.

New Hanover is considered the nation's fourth safest city and the safest one in New Jersey. Its population is just over 8,000 and it is home to the Army Reserve Mobilization Museum. It's located just northwest of the Whitesbog Historic Village and north of the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.

Rangely, Colorado is the state's safest city and the nation's fifth safest city. This small city is located south of Dinosaur National Monument in the state's desert region, where flat-topped mountains provide an interesting horizon all around. The town has existed since the 1880s and offers primarily outdoor adventures, including great opportunities for stargazing.

Montana's safest town and the sixth safest in the nation is Colstrip, Montana. This coal mining town is the largest in its county, but logs just over 2,000 residents. It's nickname is "the energy capital of Montana" due to its coal mines, and is a fairly safe town.

Located near the Missouri River along the South Dakota-Nebraska border lies the small town of Elk Point, the seventh safest city in the nation. It's home to the Lewis & Clark Campsite, where the famous explorers made camp as they were guided by Sacagawea during their expedition westward. Today, it's a rural town with plentiful green spaces and farms.

Wilder, Idaho is the eighth safest city in the nation and the safest in Idaho. A farm-centric suburb of the Boise-Nampa metropolitan area, it offers close proximity to both cities, but without the city lifestyle or crowds. It's a great place for residents of the city to come to hunt, fish or enjoy other outdoor activities.

The safest city in Kentucky and the nation's ninth safest city is Lewisport. Nestled alongside the Ohio River 100 miles west of Louisville, the historic town offers a low cost of living as well as a low crime rate and a small town feel.

Yerington, Nevada is the state's safest city and ranks tenth overall in the nation. With just over 3,000 residents, it, like many other towns on this list, first got its start in the late 1800s and still retains its historic feel. It's a great place for outdoor lovers, with access to the Walker River State Recreation Area and the Wilson Canyon.

With just under 5,000 residents, the city of Colville, Washington is the safest city in the state and the eleventh safest city in the nation. It's home to the Colville Mountain Recreational Area and was once an important part of the Hudson's Bay Company. Today, it offers a charming spot from which to explore the region's outdoor attractions.

The twelfth safest city in the United States is Montgomery, Minnesota. Another historic small town, Montgomery is home to a primarily Czechoslovakian-descended population and is nicknamed the "Kolacky Capital of the World." Today, its claim to fame is the Montgomery Kolacky Days, which it hosts each year as a celebration of its Czech heritage.

Bangs, Texas is the thirteenth safest city in the United States and the safest in Texas. Home to just over 1,500 people, the largely rural town is located right in the center of Texas. The town is named for Samuel Bangs, a man who founded several Texas newspapers in the late 1800s.

Brighton is the safest city in Tennessee and ranks fourteenth overall in the nation. Home to nearly 3,000, it's located north of Arlington and northeast of Memphis. Small town life characterizes this town.

Located just east of Minot is Surrey, North Dakota's safest town and the fifteenth safest town in the nation. Home to just over 1,000 people, this small town offers easy access to larger Minot with a more rural feel.

The small town of Zebulon is the safest city in Georgia, with just over 1,000 residents. It's also the sixteenth safest in the nation. Home to a picturesque main street and historic courthouse, Zebulon is full of small-town charm.

The small town of Skagway is the safest city in Alaska and the seventeenth safest in the nation, with just over 1,000 residents. A popular destination for cruisers taking excursions into the Gold Rush-era town, it offers historic buildings set against a backdrop of forests mountains, as well as two historic locomotives that travelers can use to get there.

Oologah is the safest city in Oklahoma and the eighteenth safest in the nation. It's known as the birthplace of humorist Will Rogers and is located north of Tulsa near Oologah Lake. The town offers plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Brighton is the safest city in Vermont and the nineteenth safest in the nation. With a history stretching from the late 1700s, this historic town has changed its name two times, having been named Gilead and Random before taking on its current name. The small town offers East Coast charm, gorgeous fall forests and plenty of outdoor activities in its Brighton State Park and the Bluff Mountain Hiking Trail head.

Clarkton is the oldest city in its county and the safest in all of Missouri. The twentieth safest in the nation, it's located south of the Mark Twain National Forest near the border of Arkansas.

The safest city in Virginia is Occoquan. The twenty-first safest in the nation, Occoquan has a population of just over 1,000 residents and is most famous for its picturesque Victorian-era houses, which are still painted in bright yellows, greens, reds and pinks. Located along the Occoquan River, which flows into the nearby Potomac, it also offers a walkable riverfront area and water activities.

Adrian Township in Michigan is the state's safest city, and at just over 6,000 residents, it's also one of the largest cities on this list. The twenty-second safest city in the nation is located in southern Michigan just north of the city of Adrian. It offers a more rural suburb to the larger city, with a late-1800s downtown area.

With nearly 2,000 residents, the small town of Alstead is the safest in New Hampshire and the twenty-third safest in the nation. This historic town dates back to the late 1700s and still retains much of its historic past. It's located near the Prentiss Covered Bridge, the scenic Lake Warren and the Distant Hill Gardens.

Continuously settled since 1730, the historic town of Shippensburg is the safest town in Pennsylvania and the twenty-fourth in the nation. It's home to just under 6,000 residents and offers beautifully maintained colonial architecture and the historic Shippensburg University, part of the state's public higher education system, which began 1871.

One of the more populated cities on this list, Broadview Heights is the safest city in Ohio and the twenty-fifth safest in the nation. With a population just under 20,000, it offers a larger city feel than the many other rural towns on this list, though it's considered a suburb of Cleveland, located south of the city near Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Less than 1,000 residents makes Wagener, South Carolina the safest town in the state and the twenty-sixth safest in the United States. Located east of Augusta, it's a rural town offering The Wagener Museum for residents and travelers to learn about its past.

The safest town in Iowa is Rock Valley, a suburb of Sioux Falls. With about 4,000 residents, the twenty-seventh safest city in the nation offers a rural suburb to work and play, with the Rock Valley Golf Club, the Rivers Bend Campground and the Kiwanis Trail Head.

A historic mining town recording less than 1,000 residents, Hanna is the safest town in Wyoming and the twenty-eighth in the nation. Today, it's home to the Hanna Museum and the Fisherman Paradise of Miracle Mile, and it's located near the ghost town of Old Carbon, as well as Elk Mountain and the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Oak Hill is the safest town in West Virginia and the twenty-ninth in the nation. With a population around 8,000, it's located to the nation's newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, as well as the Summit Bechtel Reserve, which both offer incredible opportunities for hiking and experiencing nature.

The safest town in Arkansas is the town of Amity. The thirtieth safest in the nation, it's currently home to less than 1,000 residents. Amity's claim to fame is its Amity Trade Days, the largest monthly outdoor vintage market in Arkansas.

Victoria is the safest town in the state of Kansas and the thirty-first safest in the nation. With just over 1,000 residents, it's biggest landmark is the beautiful Basilica of Saint Fidelis, the first in the state and today a well-known attraction.

Winter Harbor, Maine is ranked as the safest town in the state of Maine and the thirty-second safest in the country. With less than 300 residents, it's one of the least populated towns on this list and is located near Bar Harbor, though it's less crowded and much quieter during the high tourist season.

The safest town in Louisiana is Jena. The thirty-third safest in the nation, it has a population of around 3,500. Located between Kisatchie National Forest and Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, Jena offers a great base camp for exploring some of the area's most beautiful natural areas.

The town of Tekamah is the safest in Nebraska and the thirty-fourth safest in the nation. Home to a population just under 2,000, Tekamah is located nearly halfway between Sioux City and Omaha near the Missouri River. It's home to the Burt County Museum, the historic Bryant House and the Northridge Country Club.

The town of Glocester is the safest in Rhode Island and ranks as the thirty-fifth safest in the nation. With about 10,000 residents, Glocester offers beautiful historic buildings and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, the nearest forest being the Sprague Farm Town Forest.

Weston, Connecticut is the safest town in the state and the thirty-sixth safest town in the nation. Weston has a population of about 10,000 residents and is considered an affluent town. It's home to the Devil's Den Preserve, the Trout Brook Valley Preserve and the Westin Historical Society.

Indiana's safest town is Lowell. The thirty-seventh safest town in the nation, Lowell is home to over 9,000 individuals and offers an 1800s-style main street with a small town feel.

Puckett is the safest town in Mississippi and the thirty-eighth safest town in the nation. With less than 400 residents, this very small town is located near the Bienville National Forest a few hours outside of Jackson.

The safest town in Delaware is Frankford. The thirty-ninth safest town in the nation, Frankford is a historic town with a population less than 1,000, with a quaint, suburban atmosphere.

Highland Beach is the safest town in Florida and the fortieth safest in the nation. With a population under 4,000, it's located on the coast south of West Palm Beach nestled between Spanish River Park and the smaller Atlantic Dunes Park. It offers largely condominium-style accommodations for both residents and tourists.

Rolling Hills, California is the safest town in the state and the forty-first safest town in the nation. A gated community of about 1,500 individuals, it offers the South Coast Botanic Garden, the Portuguese Bend Reserve, Filiorum Reserve and Forrestal Nature Preserve. Located near the Californian coast between Torrance and Long Beach, it's home to some pricy mansions and is probably the most expensive town on this list to live in.

Trend Woods is the safest town in North Carolina and the forty-second safest in the United States. With a population of about 4,000, it's located near the mouth of the Trent River, where the cities of New Bern, James City and Bridgeton connect over the river via bridges. Located near Croatan National Forest, it offers a secluded suburban atmosphere within close proximity of the larger cities.

The safest town in Arizona is called Florence. The forty-third safest town in the nation, Florence is one of the largest cities on this list, with over 26,000 residents. The town offers some historic buildings, the St. Anthony Monastery and the McFarland State Historic Park. Located southeast of Phoenix and Chandler, it's located within the scenic Arizonan desert.

Mapleton is the safest town in Utah. The forty-forth safest in the nation, Mapleton has a population of around 11,000 and is a suburb of the larger city of Provo. Located near Spanish Fork Peak, the town is more lush than other regions in Utah, and offers a more suburban side to the high-adrenaline Utah Valley region.

The town of Marion is the safest in Alabama and the forty-fifth safest in the nation. With a population around 3,500, this small town is located west of Selma. It's biggest landmark is Kenworthy Hall, a former plantation house that is considered to be haunted.

Ocean Pines is the safest town in Maryland and the forty-sixth safest in the nation. With a population over 10,000, it's another sizeable small city. Located on the Isle of Wight Bay by Ocean City, it offers yacht clubs, marinas and condominiums and cottages with coastal views and plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Dexter, New Mexico is the safest town in the state and the forty-seventh safest in the nation. With just over 1,000 residents, this small town is located south of Roswell. It's big attraction is Lake Van.

The safest town in Oregon is Vernonia. The forty-eighth safest town in the nation, Vernonia got its start as an important logging town. Today, it's home to over 1,000 residents and several locally owned businesses, as well as a lake, river, historic sawmill and more.

The FBI's data on Illinois cities' crime rates in 2020 excluded data on larceny-thefts and arson. Rockford, while considered the safest in Illinois, is at the bottom of the list nationally because of the lack of reporting on these types of crimes, which are the most commonly committed. Located in northern Illinois by its border to Wisconsin, Rockford is home to nearly 150,000 residents and offers several museums and attractions.

Last but certainly not least is Hawaii's safest city, Kauai's Kaumakani. CCTV Camera World excluded the state in its official rankings, so it isn't really the fifthieth safest city in the nation. With under 1,000 residents, Kaumakani is a rural Hawaiian town located along Kauai's coast and surrounded by plantations.