Apr 25 2008
USA’s Safest States for 2008
The latest results from CQ Press on the safest American states for 2008, out of 50 states, here are the 15 most safest states :
No 1: New Hampshire
New Hampshire is ranked No. 1 for the first time thanks to impressively low crime across the board. It boasts the nation’s lowest murder rate and second-lowest aggravated assault and burglary rates.
No. 2: Maine
The Pine Tree state has been ranked in the top three each of the past 15 years. It has the lowest assault rate in the U.S.
No. 3: North Dakota
After dominating the Safest State list for the past decade, the Peace Garden state suffers its lowest ranking since 1996. Its rape rate is mainly to blame.
No. 4: Vermont
It’s nice to know there are some places left in the world where folks don’t have to live under lock and key. Vermont was the safest state in 2003 along with 1994 & 1996.
No. 5: South Dakota
As one of the safest states to live in, South Dakota suffers from a shockingly high incidence of rape, but ranks in the top 5 in all other categories.
No. 6: Wyoming
Wyoming is a great example of a state with low income and low economic growth that does not fall prey to major crime.
No. 7: Montana
Some credit Montana’s low crime rate to the high level of gun ownership. Since most criminals are looking for easy targets, this may keep some in line. The Treasure State has lowest burglary rate in the country.
No. 8: Iowa
The Hawkeye State pulls in the No. 8 ranking for the fourth year in a row thanks to above average scores in all six crime categories.
No. 9: Idaho
Idaho is a regular on most of the best places to live lists published from various media venues, thanks to its much touted city, Boise. But they need to work on that rape statistic.
No. 10: Wisconsin
Wisconsin consistently ranks well below the national crime average.
No. 11: Connecticut
Connecticut is the state where many New Yorkers relocate when it’s time to raise a family and give in to the hour-plus commute to the Big Apple. A plus: low levels of assault, burglary and rape
No. 12: Rhode Island
The Ocean State improves four spots this year to score the second best gain after Washington state thanks to strong rankings in all categories except auto theft
No. 13: Utah
Home to one of the safest cities in America, Orem, the Beehive State maintains its No. 13 ranking that it also held last year.
No. 14: West Virginia
West Virginia is seeing an influx of commuters from the Washington D.C. metro region (including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland) for its low crime rate and more affordable land and housing.
No. 15: Virginia
The Old Dominion State improves one position for the third year in a row and holds its best ranking since 2001. It has low crime in all categories except burglaries where it has the fifth worst rate in the nation.
I am in California and of the 50 states, it is ranked America’s 38th safest state.
I am seriously thinking of moving out now. 
See also : Link: Safest State Ranking
