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Sara Korolevich
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GoodHire analyzed FBI Crime Data GoodHire analyzed crime data to uncover the safest place in each state in America as well as top US places with the least amount of property, violent, and society crime.. Let’s take a look at the key findings to learn more about the safest places in each US state.
Employment background checks are an important piece of the hiring process and can help you build a team of people that are trustworthy, reliable and professional. Most background checks include a criminal history check, which searches criminal court databases to report information about a candidate’s criminal history. Gaining access to a candidate’s legally reportable criminal records helps you make informed hiring decisions.
A criminal background check may also be important based on the areas in which your organization is hiring. Crime rates in places across the country vary and you may wish to take this information into account.
To help businesses understand the importance of criminal background checks, GoodHire analyzed crime data to uncover the safest place in each state in America as well as top US places with the least amount of property, violent, and society crime.
To conduct the analysis, GoodHire reviewed FBI Crime Data – property, violent, and society crime – and ranked each place by its rate of offenses per 1,000 people for each of the three offense types. GoodHire then assigned a total rank that weighted crimes against persons and crimes against property at 40% and crimes against society at 20% to showcase the safest places in each state and help business owners see the importance of criminal background checks.
Now, let’s get into the key findings to learn more about the safest places in each state in America.
The graphic above shows the safest place in each state in America, based on crime rates for the three major crime types. These places, all with a population of 30,000 or more, are highly rated for all three crime types and should be viewed as exceptional places for those looking for a safe environment to live, work, and hire.
While the overall rankings combine property, violent and society crime rates, some places standout for their excellence in certain areas.
Dothan, AL, Arlington, MA, Oswego, IL, Independence Township, MI, and Johns Creek, GA rank at the top with the lowest property crime rates among the list of the safest places in each state.
Additionally, Wallingford, CT, Sammamish, WA, Mason, OH, and Zionsville, IN all boast a violent crime rate of fewer than two offenses per 1,000 people. These areas all rank at the top for the least amount of violent crime among the safest places in each state.
Finally, when it comes to society crime (defined as crimes against society or victimless crimes, e.g., gambling, prostitution, and drug violations), a few of the safest places by state again stand out from the rest. Montclair, NJ, Arlington, MA, Sammamish, WA, Wallingford, CT and Johns Creek, GA all showcase some of the lowest society crime rates in the country among the other safest places in each state.
Now, let’s get into the key findings to learn more about the safest places in each state in America.
While it’s important to understand how combining the three major crime types can reveal the safest places in each state, it’s also useful for businesses and organizations to know which places are most likely to showcase the lowest rates for each different type of crime outside of the safest places in each state list. Understanding this data can reveal geographical crime trends that may be helpful to businesses as they look to hire employees, purchase or lease office space, and make other important corporate decisions.
In terms of property crime, the data reveals that Dothan, AL, Franklin, MA and Little Elm, TX are the three places in America with the lowest property crime rates.
The data also reveals a specific trend as Massachusetts and Michigan are each home to three of the top ten places with the lowest property crime rates in America.
Those places include Franklin, MA, Arlington, MA, Amherst, MA, Orion Township, MI, Independence Township, MI, and White Lake Township, MI.
Next, as we take a look at violent crime, we see that Westfield, NJ, Wallingford, CT, Upper Arlington, OH, Greenwich, CT and Glastonbury, CT are the top five places with the lowest violent crime rates in America.
The state of Connecticut is the big winner in terms of low violent crime rates as it is home to three of the top ten safest places for violent crime in America.
Those places include the aforementioned Wallingford, CT, Greenwich, CT and Glastonbury, CT.
Edina, MN, Sammamish, WA, Mason OH, Zionsville, IN and North Andover, MA round out this top ten list.
The list of the places with the lowest society crime rates (again defined as crimes against society or victimless crimes, e.g., gambling, prostitution, and drug violations) showcases a major trend of safety in America’s Northeast region.
Brookline, MA, Colonie Town, NY, North Attleboro, MA, Lexington, MA and Brighton Town, NY are the five places with the lowest society crime rates in America.
Rounding out the top ten are Montclair, NJ, Arlington, MA, Sammamish, WA, Wallingford, CT and Westfield, NJ.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the full rundown of the safest places in each state in America.
For more information on GoodHire’s research or to request graphics from this study, please contact press@goodhire.com.
To rank America’s safest places by state, GoodHire analyzed the most recent FBI Crime Data using the National Incident-Based Reporting System Tables for places with a population of 30,000 or more. The data was analyzed based on property crime, violent crime, and society crime. Each place was ranked by its rate of offenses per 1,000 people for each of the three offense types and was then assigned a total rank which weighted crimes against persons and property at 40% and crimes against society at 20%. Florida and Alaska did not report crime data to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, and because of this, those two states were not included in this analysis.
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The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
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As GoodHire’s managing editor, Sara Korolevich produces educational resources for employers on a variety of employment screening topics, including compliance and screening best practices, and writes about GoodHire’s company and product news. Sara’s experience stems from 20+ years working as a B2C and B2B PR and communications professional.
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