The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a whole new definition to how people in the U.S. think about public safety, thus making health concerns just as important as crimes rates and transit accidents.
In 2020, the coronavirus has become an important factor in WalletHub’s evaluation of over 180 major American cities for safety. While the metrics such as natural disaster and mass shootings have carried over from previous years, the average number of positive cases of COVID-19 tests in the community has become just as important.
Here are the Best 10 cities for Safety.
10. Gilbert, Arizona
In 2019, the city of Gilbert’s police department only reported 225 violent crimes for a population of more than 250,000 residents. Gilbert is also the fifth-lowest rate of assaults per capita in these rankings, according to WalletHub.
Gilbert is a town located in Maricopa County Arizona. Just southeast of Phoenix. This town was once known as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World.” It is also the sixth largest municipality in Arizona and the fifth largest in the Phoenix Metro area.
9. Raleigh, North Carolina
With this being the largest city on the list, Raleigh has the lowest rates of law enforcement officers per capita. Its figures for violent crime remain very low. They only reported 998 violent crimes for a population of 474,000 in 2019.
Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina. It is well known for its universities. Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle which is comprised of technology and scholarly institutions. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Raleigh gets its nickname “City of Oaks” for its many oak trees, which in fact line the streets in its downtown area.
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
WalletHub has put Virginia Beach on the list due to its financial safety. In 2018, the Census Bureau estimated that the median household income for its residents was more than $74,000. This is higher than the state of Virginia’s median household income. In 2019, it was estimated that Virginia Beach was home to over 450,000 residents.
Virginia Beach is a resort city with miles of sandy beaches and a mighty selection of hotels and restaurants to choose from along its oceanfront. Every year the city of Virginia Beach holds the East Coast Surfing Competition and a beach soccer tournament. It is also home to many state parks, protected beach areas, large corporations, and military bases.
7. Salem, Oregon
Salem has strong rankings in its low risk for natural disasters. The city has invested in its public works to fight the risks of floods and improved on its seismic infrastructure. This work done to public buildings helps mitigate against earthquake damage.
Salem has a population of over 174,000 residents, which makes it the second-largest city in the state of Oregon. Salem is located about an hour away from the Portland metro area.
6. Burlington, Vermont
Burlington ranked number 17 in the nation for home and community safety, and therefore it ranks on this list, according to WalletHub. This small city has a population of just under 43,000 residents in 2019, according to the Census Bureau. The city’s police department reported 169 incidents of crime that same year. Burlington also has the fifth-lowest percentage of uninsured residents.
Burlington is also the most populous city in Vermont, and yet is ranks as the least-populous city in the most-populous city nationally. Located just south of the United States-Canadian borders. They are also the first city in the nation to run entirely on renewable energy.
5. Lewiston, Maine
This very small city, a population of just over 36,000, ranked 19th in the nation for home and community safety. While it even ranked better, number 12, in terms of natural disaster risks.
Lewiston is the second largest city in Maine. Lewiston has a large impact on the diversity, commerce, economic power, religious variety, and education in the state. It is well known for its access to medical care and overall low cost of living. It also has a relatively low violent crime rate. A fun fact about Lewiston is that it is home to the largest French-speaking population in the nation.
4. Nashua, New Hampshire
This is a larger city in New England, comparatively to the other cities from that area on the list. With a population of roughly 90,000 residents, the Nashua police department recorded only 127 crime incidents in 2019. According to census data, Nashua’s median household income was over $75,000.
Nashua was originally built around the textile industry. It was also named twice as “The Best Place to Live in the United States,” according to annual surveys by Money Magazine.
3. Plano, Texas
Plano is the third most populous city on this list, with over 287,000 residents in 2019. The city has ranked 3rd in the nation for home and community safety, with the Plano police department reporting 484 violent crimes last year. The household median income far surpasses the rest of the state with it being slightly more than $92,000. Plano is also ranked 30th for financial safety according to WalletHub.
In 2013, Plano had received a top position in the national livability index according to Areavibes.com. It also ranked highly in the “Best Places to Live in 2013.”
2. South Burlington, Vermont
This small but prosperous city is highly ranked in this list. According to the Census Bureau its estimated population is roughly around 20,000 in 2019. South Burlington’s median household income is slightly higher than $72,000. South Burlington also scored very well in WalletHub’s analysis of uninsured residents and low unemployment rates.
South Burlington is home to the headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and has the largest shopping mall in Vermont. The city is largely based on service-based economy.
1. Columbia, Maryland
This beautiful city located in Howard County, Maryland, has the highest median household income and was placed in WalletHub’s Top 10. The median income is over $105,000. It also ranked 7th for financial safety and 4th for home and community safety.