North Huntingdon Named Safest Small Town in Pa., 14th Nationwide

North Huntingdon Township was named the safest small town in Pennsylvania and the 14th safest nationwide in an analysis by MoneyGeek. The analysis looked at crime statistics by quantifying the cost of crime and ranking 1,061 small cities and towns nationwide. Data on violent crimes and property crimes (such as burglaries and car theft) was included. 

With a crime cost per capita of $86, North Huntingdon Township, located in Westmoreland County, ranked No. 14 nationwide and was the only small town/city from Pennsylvania to make the top 15. 

But why look at small cities and towns? According to MoneyGeek, more than 50 million Americans live in small cities and towns – those with 30,000 to 100,000 residents. 

Safety may be a factor that draws Americans to lesser-populated areas, as data shows that small cities and towns tend to be safer than large cities. The violent crime rate in large cities was nearly double that of small cities, but still, many unsafe small cities and towns have crime levels comparable to those of big cities. 

For those looking for the safest small cities and towns, the Northeast might be the key. Six out of 10 of the safest ones nationwide are located in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. The overall top 10 list includes: 

1. Columbus, Indiana 
2. Wallingford, Connecticut 
3. Lone Peak, Utah 
4. Zionsville, Indiana 
5. Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 
6. Yorktown, New York 
7. Carmel Town, New York 
8. Wallkill Town, New York 
9. Upper Arlington, Ohio 
10. Lexington, Massachusetts