A new study has revealed New Mexico is the most dangerous and Washington the second most dangerous state in the United States in which to raise a family, based on FBI crime data.

The study, conducted by personal injury lawyers Omega Law Group, utilized crime data from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to create two metrics: ‘violent crimes’ and ‘property crimes’. The metrics include data from eight different types of crime: homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.   

The ‘violent crime rate’ and ‘property crime rate’ were calculated per 100,000 people, then totaled to form the ‘combined total crime rate,’ ranking the fifty states from safest to most dangerous. 

Unfortunately, for residents of New Mexico, the state has the highest violent crime rate, at 780 per 100,000 people, and the second highest homicide rate of 12 per 100,000 people, making it the most dangerous and deadly states. New Mexico also performed poorly in property crimes, ranking as the third worst state with 2,998 property crimes per 100,000 people, a staggering 1.5 times the national average.  

Washington is ranked as the second most dangerous state, with a combined total crime rate of 3,763 per 100,000. Despite having a violent crime rate that is 1.3% better than the national average, the state’s property crime rate was the worst in the US, making it highly susceptible to burglaries, with the second-highest rate of burglaries at 561 per 100,000 people.  

Colorado ranks third with a combined crime rate of 3,617 per 100,000. The state has a violent crime rate that is 29% higher than the national average, clearly making it a less desirable spot to raise children.  

In fourth place, Louisiana had a combined total crime rate of 3,389 per 100,000 people. This is mainly due to the state’s violent crime rate of 631 per 100,000 people, which is a shocking 67% higher than the national average.   

Oregon takes the title as the fifth most dangerous state to raise a family, with its combined total crime rate of 3,283 per 100,000. While the state is relatively very safe in terms of violent crimes – only 343 per 100,000, the state’s total property crime sits at 52% above the national average. 

In sixth and seventh place are the states of Arkansas and Tennessee, with combined total crime rates of 3,075 and 2,893 per 100,000, respectively. Whilst Tennessee didn’t rank specifically highly for either metric, Arkansas was third highest for violent crimes, with 641 per 100,000.  

California ranks eighth among the most dangerous states, with 500 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Missouri takes the ninth spot, with a combined crime rate of 2,820 per 100,000. The state is evidently very dangerous, with the fifth-highest homicide rate in the US.  

Rounding out the top ten is Nevada, with a total property crime rate of 2,381 and a violent crime rate of 452 per 100,000 people. 

On the other end of the scale the study also revealed the safest states to raise a family. New Hampshire topped the list, with a combined total crime rate of 1,131 per 100,000 people, offering the ultimate haven for families seeking to avoid dangerous crime.   

With a violent crime rate of 123 per 100,000 residents, just one third of the national average, and a property crime rate of 1,015 per 100,000 residents, an impressive 48% less than the national average, New Hampshire has much lower crime rates than other US states.    

Notably, the state has the lowest motor vehicle theft rate, at just 66 per 100,000 people – 77% lower than the national average. Additionally, with a low homicide rate of just 2 per 100,000 and the second-lowest rate of aggravated assault at 68 per 100,000, New Hampshire is an ideal destination for families hoping to reside in low-crime areas.  

In second place, Idaho has a combined total crime rate of 1,153 per 100,000 people, which is 41% lower than the national average. Notably, the state benefits from having the lowest total property crime rate, at just 922 per 100,000 residents. This is partly due to having the lowest larceny rate in the country at just 668 crimes per 100,000 people.   

With a total violent crime rate of 238 per 100,000, the tenth lowest in the country, and the second lowest rate of robberies, at just 8 per 100,000 people, Idaho ranks as one of the safest states for keeping possessions secure.  

Maine ranks third with a combined total rate of 1,307 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is just two-thirds of the national average. The state has the lowest rate of aggravated assault, at just 59 per 100,000.   

In fourth place is the state of Massachusetts, with a combined crime rate of just 1,388. The state has kept its property crime rate down to 1,072, a staggering 45% lower than the US average.  

The fifth safest state to raise a family is Rhode Island, with a combined crime rate of 1,455 and a violent crime rate of just 172 per 100,000. The national average is 379, meaning Rhode Island’s violent crime rate is less than half of the national average, making it another family-friendly state.   

In sixth place is West Virginia, which has a combined crime rate of just 1,512 – 35% less than the national average. New Jersey is the seventh safest state to raise kids, with a combined crime rate of 1,615. What’s more, the state has a violent crime rate of just 202 per 100,000 – 47% less than the US average.  

Iowa is ranked the eighth safest state in the US for raising a family, with a combined crime rate of 1,615 per 100,000 residents. The state’s property crime rate of 1,337 makes properties in Iowa 32% safer than the national average.  

Connecticut is ranked ninth with a combined crime rate of 1,648 per 100,000. The state also boasts a violent crime rate of just 150 per 100,000, the third lowest in the country.  

Rounding out the top ten safest states to raise a family is Kentucky, with a combined crime rate of just 1,658 per 100,000 people. The state’s violent crime rate of just 213 and a property crime rate of just 1,452 per 100,000 make it another excellent location for starting a family.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Omega Law Group says, “The latest FBI crime data revealed a national total of over 7.7 million violent and property crimes in 2022. This shocking figure underscores the national challenges the US faces regarding crime rates and highlights the importance of utilizing regional crime data to identify safer locations.  

“When deciding where to settle down with a family, it’s crucial to consider crime data to ensure your family is located in one of the safer areas, such as New Hampshire, Idaho, or Maine. These states offer better protection from dangerous and violent crimes, providing peace of mind for parents.  

“Additionally, the study serves as a valuable tool for identifying more dangerous states. For those already residing in these areas, such as New Mexico, Washington, and Colorado, it acts as a warning, prompting residents to check local neighborhood crime rates to ensure they live in the safest locations available.” 

SOURCE: https://www.omegalaw.com/