The east coast has left a great impression on many people, according to recent findings by Forbes Advisor.
New Jersey now stands out as one of the safest states in the United States, an impressive feat for New York City’s hyper-active neighbor!
When considering factors like property and violent crimes crime along with murder rates, which are pivotal in deciding where to reside, New Jersey shines as a favorable choice for residents or potential movers.
Forbes Advisor conducted a thorough study to assess the safety levels across all 50 states, analyzing three key metrics:
- Violent crime rate: The reported incidents of violent crimes per 1,000 residents, accounting for 35% of the overall score.
- Property crime rate: The reported incidents of property crimes per 1,000 residents, also contributing 35% to the total score.
- Likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime: The probability within the state's entire population, forming 30% of the total score.
New Jersey, claiming its spot among the safest states, reflects a broader trend seen in the study that highlights New England and the Northeast as the nation's safest regions. This safety can be attributed to factors such as smaller and more uniform populations in many New England states, coupled with well-regarded education systems and high median incomes, as noted by Forbes Advisor.
Ranked fifth on the "safest states" list, New Jersey boasts a low violent crime rate of 2.03 incidents per 1,000 residents, a property crime rate of 14.17 incidents per 1,000 residents and a one in 493 chance of falling victim to violent crime.
This is all impressive for a state that encounters heavy commutes, but what about the other states?
THE TOP 10 SAFEST STATES IN THE U.S. ARE:
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Vermont
The top 10 safest states, in addition to New Jersey, include New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Wyoming, West Virginia and Vermont (as listed above).
Conversely, the study identified New Mexico as the most dangerous state in the U.S., with significantly higher violent crime rates, property crime rates, and increased chances of becoming a victim of violent crime.
Besides evaluating safety rankings, the study delved into the most common types of arrests across states, citing offenses like drug abuse violations, simple assault, larceny, driving under the influence and possession of weapons.
Notably, in New Jersey, simple assault emerged as the most prevalent arrest type, defined as intentionally causing bodily injury to another individual. In 2022 alone, New Jersey recorded 37,961 simple assault arrests, as reported by Forbes Advisor.
The study also shed light on nationwide crime statistics and trends, revealing a slight decrease in violent crime in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, property crimes showed a concerning increase, while murder and non-negligence manslaughter rates witnessed a decline. The study also highlighted the disproportionate rise in murder and manslaughter cases during the 2020 pandemic, particularly involving firearms and affecting young people and disadvantaged communities.
All in all, the study provides valuable insights into crime patterns and safety considerations across the United States, aiding individuals in making informed decisions about their residential choices.
Now, maybe Jersey City and Hoboken aren't all that bad?!