Safest and Most Dangerous States in the U.S. 2019: Annual Ranking Updated
WalletHub’s 2019 report compares the 50 states across 52 key safety indicators to determine which are the safest and least safe.
Personal-finance website WalletHub has released the latest edition of its “Safest States in America” report.
In order to determine its rankings, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 52 key metrics grouped into five different categories: personal and residential safety; financial safety; road safety; workplace safety; and emergency preparedness.
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of safety. You can view the full details of the report and its methodology here.
The Safest States in America
For the first time in two years, new states have appeared in the top 10. Rhode Island is now ranked 16, making it the lone New England state outside the top 10. Also moving down a few notches is Washington. Iowa and Wyoming are new to the top 10 this year.
- Minnesota
- Vermont
- Maine
- Utah
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
- Iowa
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Wyoming
The Most Dangerous States in America
The Southern U.S. continues to have the least safe states in the country. New to the bottom 10 this year are South Dakota and Montana — interestingly located in the upper Midwest. Mississippi and Louisiana remain the least safe states in the country.
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Missouri
- Montana
- South Dakota
Click here for a slideshow comparing statistics such as assaults per capita and law enforcement numbers between the safest and most dangerous states.
Does this data correlate with your state? Let us know in the comments!
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About the Author
Steve Karantzoulidis, Web/Senior Editor
Steven A. Karantzoulidis is the Web Editor for Security Sales & Integration. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Communication and has a background in Film, A/V and Social Media.
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Illinois Chicago? Alone it have 30+ shootings last weekend during a 24 hour period.
Terrible misuse of the word: Data. “feelings” do not constitute data, nor does some random thing called “hate groups per capita”. What the heck is “Share of Families with Children Aged 6 to 17 Years Who Go to Safe Schools:”? This is a completely subjective phrase, and it is weighted the exact same as thefts per capita! C’mon guys! The whole study is not about safety, it’s based on feelings about how safe people think they are, according to the author of the so-called “study”. This is at best, misinformation spread via biased studies conducted by uncertified sources, and at worst, dangerous garbage. This should be ignored after much ridicule.
I am retired and travel the USA all the time. I have traveled through every state multiple times. This study is flawed in so many different ways. It is so far off the mark it truly is shameful. It is the worst report I have ever read.
And California is a heaven’s den..Yea sure. Ask the thousands of ppl who die every day there. I think this article is biased and discriminatory.
How is oklahoma so dangerous. The closest thing to “dangerous” is our weather. Insurance is low due to the fact most of us are part of the indian population, thus most of us don’t get medical insurance since we already get it for free. Law enforcement is poor because a large portion of the land is not owned by the state 2/3s are indian reservation and under indian control.
I am arguing for my state simply because there is no way places like california or new york are safer. I mean hell just look at antifa the terrorist group which does public book burning.
For me the The best state is Texas, and location Fort Bend County, the county possess a big pool of talented and skilled individuals; 89.7% high school graduates, 45.7% college graduates. The county has a workforce of more than 380,000 people, moreover the County is served by the Ports of Houston and Freeport and it also has three rail lines, Kansas City Southern, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and Union Pacific. It also has the lowest tax rate in the state making it an ideal destination for businesses.
Hawaii is very unsafe if you look at statistics on
ocean drownings and mountain falls.