So, you aren’t exactly a fan of living in big cities and prefer a small town feel? Here are 10 of the safest places to live with a population under 10,000 people. The main criteria for the list included percentage of crimes per capita, severity of crimes committed, and the likeliness of becoming a victim of a crime. Here we go…
#10
“Greenwood HD2” by Jon Roanhaus - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Facebook/ City of Greenwood, Missouri With population of 5,387, Greenwood only reported 4 violent crimes and its crime rate was 76% lower than the national average. There is a 1 in 137 chance you might become a victim and it’s more likely to be non-violent if you do. Greenwood was named for the beautiful elm trees throughout the area and has five beautiful parks. You can even watch a movie in the park during the warmer months at Joel Dean Hitt Park.
Flickr/ Dave Clements
Flickr/ Charlie Hallin Located along Little Platte River and next to Smithville Lake, this growing community is safer than 76% of U.S. cities and has seen a decreasing crime rate in recent years. Known for their great schools, parks and playgrounds, and beautiful golf course, you can rest easy here. There is a 1 in 84 chance of being the victim of a crime in this town of 8,425.
Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson DVM
Flickr/ San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Flickr/ MoBikeFed This town of 8,113’s biggest source of pride is annually hosting the Cass County Fair. They are a growing community with a beautiful historic downtown, museum, train depot and Civil War era cemeteries. There is only a 1 in 68 chance of being the victim of a crime, and most likely it would not be a violent crime, as they only reported two of them in the most recent FBI findings.
#7
Facebook/ Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation
Facebook/ Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation
Facebook/ Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation With a population of 6,219, this town near St. Louis only reported 73 total crimes; only three were violent ones. This town is safer than 84% of cities in the U.S., and there is a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim. This charming town hosts many community activities including wine tasting, horse racing and community theater. They also have parks, an aquatic center, recreation center and numerous small specialty shops.
#6
Flickr/ Paul Sableman
Flickr/ Michael Allen The wealthiest town in Missouri, Ladue’s crime rate is 47% lower than the national average. Only 8 violent crimes were reported, but none of them were murders or rapes. Chance of becoming a victim: 1 in 62. If you can afford it, this town is a wonderful place to live with beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, unique shopping and dining options, antiques, and upscale fashion boutiques. The population is 8,524.
www.clarksonvalley.org This affluent town of 2,626 boasts a high income per capita as well as high graduation rates. It is also safer than 92% of U.S. cities and there is a 1 in 224 chance of being victimized. The crime rate has also been decreasing in recent years. Known for its big houses, this town also has a variety of unique shops and restaurants.
#4
Facebook/ Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce
Facebook/ Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce Only 47 total crimes were reported in this city of 7,232 and only 7 of them were violent crimes. There is a 1 in 152 chance of being victimized and the town has town shown a marked decrease in crime in recent years. The name, Bonne Terre, is french for “good earth” and features many parks, a space museum and great restaurants. It is also home of the Bonne Terre Mine, the world’s largest underground lake, and is near to St. Francois State Park and Cedar Lake.
#3
Facebook/ City of Savannah
Facebook/ City of Savannah This charming town of 5,133 only reported 3 violent crimes, and there were no murders, robberies, aggravated assaults or arson. The town also has lots to do and a low cost of living, which makes it a little different than some of the other towns on this list. There is a 1 in 112 chance of being the victim of a crime, and has an 86% lower crime rate than Missouri’s average.
#2
Facebook/ The Inn at Defiance
Facebook/ The Inn at Defiance
“Boone Home Defiance MO-22” by Kbh3rd - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Another town with a low cost of living, Defiance, located along the Katy Trail near the Missouri River is safer than 74% of cities in the U.S. They are near to many wineries, Centennial and Aholt Farms, Boone’s home, and zipline tours. You have a 1 in 87 chance of being the victim of a crime and the crime rate has been decreasing in recent years.
Facebook/ City of Marthasville
Facebook/ City of Marthasville
Facebook/ City of Marthasville A growing small town of 1,136, Marthasville’s crime rate is much lower than both the Missouri and national average. There were only 6 reported crimes in 2013 and none of them were violent crimes. Less than an hour from St. Louis, this historic town has small town charm, yet is very close to many attractions, Katy Trail State Park and the Missouri River. It is also neighbors with our #2, Defiance.
Do you live in any of these towns? What others would you add to this list?
“Greenwood HD2” by Jon Roanhaus - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Facebook/ City of Greenwood, Missouri
With population of 5,387, Greenwood only reported 4 violent crimes and its crime rate was 76% lower than the national average. There is a 1 in 137 chance you might become a victim and it’s more likely to be non-violent if you do. Greenwood was named for the beautiful elm trees throughout the area and has five beautiful parks. You can even watch a movie in the park during the warmer months at Joel Dean Hitt Park.
Flickr/ Dave Clements
Flickr/ Charlie Hallin
Located along Little Platte River and next to Smithville Lake, this growing community is safer than 76% of U.S. cities and has seen a decreasing crime rate in recent years. Known for their great schools, parks and playgrounds, and beautiful golf course, you can rest easy here. There is a 1 in 84 chance of being the victim of a crime in this town of 8,425.
Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson DVM
Flickr/ San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Flickr/ MoBikeFed
This town of 8,113’s biggest source of pride is annually hosting the Cass County Fair. They are a growing community with a beautiful historic downtown, museum, train depot and Civil War era cemeteries. There is only a 1 in 68 chance of being the victim of a crime, and most likely it would not be a violent crime, as they only reported two of them in the most recent FBI findings.
Facebook/ Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation
With a population of 6,219, this town near St. Louis only reported 73 total crimes; only three were violent ones. This town is safer than 84% of cities in the U.S., and there is a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim. This charming town hosts many community activities including wine tasting, horse racing and community theater. They also have parks, an aquatic center, recreation center and numerous small specialty shops.
Flickr/ Paul Sableman
Flickr/ Michael Allen
The wealthiest town in Missouri, Ladue’s crime rate is 47% lower than the national average. Only 8 violent crimes were reported, but none of them were murders or rapes. Chance of becoming a victim: 1 in 62. If you can afford it, this town is a wonderful place to live with beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, unique shopping and dining options, antiques, and upscale fashion boutiques. The population is 8,524.
This affluent town of 2,626 boasts a high income per capita as well as high graduation rates. It is also safer than 92% of U.S. cities and there is a 1 in 224 chance of being victimized. The crime rate has also been decreasing in recent years. Known for its big houses, this town also has a variety of unique shops and restaurants.
Facebook/ Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce
Only 47 total crimes were reported in this city of 7,232 and only 7 of them were violent crimes. There is a 1 in 152 chance of being victimized and the town has town shown a marked decrease in crime in recent years. The name, Bonne Terre, is french for “good earth” and features many parks, a space museum and great restaurants. It is also home of the Bonne Terre Mine, the world’s largest underground lake, and is near to St. Francois State Park and Cedar Lake.
Facebook/ City of Savannah
This charming town of 5,133 only reported 3 violent crimes, and there were no murders, robberies, aggravated assaults or arson. The town also has lots to do and a low cost of living, which makes it a little different than some of the other towns on this list. There is a 1 in 112 chance of being the victim of a crime, and has an 86% lower crime rate than Missouri’s average.
Facebook/ The Inn at Defiance
“Boone Home Defiance MO-22” by Kbh3rd - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Another town with a low cost of living, Defiance, located along the Katy Trail near the Missouri River is safer than 74% of cities in the U.S. They are near to many wineries, Centennial and Aholt Farms, Boone’s home, and zipline tours. You have a 1 in 87 chance of being the victim of a crime and the crime rate has been decreasing in recent years.
Facebook/ City of Marthasville
A growing small town of 1,136, Marthasville’s crime rate is much lower than both the Missouri and national average. There were only 6 reported crimes in 2013 and none of them were violent crimes. Less than an hour from St. Louis, this historic town has small town charm, yet is very close to many attractions, Katy Trail State Park and the Missouri River. It is also neighbors with our #2, Defiance.
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