Massachusetts: Here Are the 5 Safest Cities in the State
How safe are the towns in Massachusetts? Safewise’s recent report claims to have identified the five safest cities in the state. How safe are they? Well, four of these cities were in Safewise’s top 10 in the country. It appears Massachusetts residents keep safety as a top priority. “Our 2023 State of Safety survey found that Massachusetts ranks the lowest in property crime out of all the states on our report,” Safewise says.
To compile this report, Safewise looks at different crime categories. They include violent crime rates, property crime rates, gun violence, and package theft.
The five safest cities are:
Wayland
At a population of almost 14,000, violent crime and property crimes rates were almost nothing. Wayland is roughly 15.9 square miles. This includes the 4.2% being water. Wayland is staying strong at the top, having claimed the number one rank in Massachusetts for the past two years in a row. It was also highlighted in Safewise’s 2022 top 10 safest cities in the country, ranking number two. Waylland report zero property or violent crimes in the past year.
Clinton
Clinton also has about 14,000 residents. Their property crime rates rank higher than Wayland. The Nashua River runs through Clinton and there is also the Wachusett Reservoir in the southern region. Clinton has the lowest median income of the five cities that ranked.
Grafton
This fellow Worcester County city has the largest population on the list. Their property crime rate dropped significantly year-over-year. Equally as impressive is the fact that the residential population has doubled since 1960.
Northborough
What’s most incredible here is that Northborough jumped up 21 spots in a year. With a population of 15,000 people, their property crime rate dropped from a 5.8 rating to a 2.1 in just two years. The town population is very spread out, with almost 30% of residents being under the age of 18, and 10% are 65 or older.
Holden
Holden, another Worcester County town rounds out the top five. Both their property and violent rates are minimal. This is biggest region noted at 36.2 square miles. Holden reported less than five property crimes per thousand people, and less than one violent crime per thousand people.
Conclusion
Most of Massachusetts’s safest cities lie in the central and northern region of the state. Package theft and violent crimes are the categories residents cared about most. 32% of residents reported using a home security system. It was the top form of property protection.
“Property crime rates have steadily dropped in the last three years from 11.8 per 1,000 to 10.5 to 2.5,” Safewise concludes. Regardless of season, Massachusetts residents are proving to be quite comfortable in the Bay State.