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Two from Virginia were in the top 10 in the new ranking, with the state boasting five overall, joining two from Maryland and the District of Columbia as the safest cities in America in 2024.
In making their rankings, WalletHub evaluated a variety of "threats to safety," including the possibility of natural disasters, mass shootings, traffic accidents, and other dangers.
“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like the crime rate, auto fatality rate or risk of natural disasters," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo stated.
In total, the agency compared 182 cities 41 "key indicators of safety."
The complete methodology can be found here.
The list was topped by:
- 1. South Burlington, Vermont;
- 2. Casper, Wyoming;
- 3. Warwick, Rhode Island;
- 4. Burlington, Vermont;
- 5. Boise, Idaho.
Here's how localities ranked in the DMV:
Virginia
- 10. Virginia Beach;
- 13: Chesapeake;
- 87: Newport News;
- 98: Norfolk;
- 170: Richmond.
Maryland
- 8: Columbia;
- 177: Baltimore.
The District of Columbia also landed at number 172.
As far as the DMV goes, Columbia ranked as the most safe home and community in the country, and was 11th in natural disaster rank, while DC had the most law enforcement employees per capita.
Virginia Beach had the fewest assaults, and DC had the fifth fewest percentage of uninsured residents, tied for fifth with Worcester and just behind Boston.
"The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety, Lupo added.
"Financial safety includes things like minimizing the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness.”
The complete WalletHub report can be found here.
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