Professional vs DIY Home Security System Installation. Many American retirees are looking to age in place, while others who have bid adieu to the workplace are seeking new locales. This is SmartAssets fourth study on the most livable small cities. 20. South Sarasota in Sarasota County is near Roberts Bay, home to Edwards Islands Park, a pair of islands perfect for beach days, boating, and fishing. To rank each city or town, 50% of the score was determined by the number of violent crimes per 1,000, and 50% of the score was determined by the number of property crimes per 1,000. Residents of Parole benefit from shops, services and restaurants being an easy walk or short drive away. Low crime rates, combined with deliciously warm weather, golf courses (around 40), park space, and gardens makes Pinehurst, North Carolina, a great place to retire. Known as a "City of Historic Homes," visitors can view the exteriors of houses built as early as 1790. According to county-level data, it also has the 11th-highest concentration of bars (1.29%). This city ranks 14th for its relatively high concentration of bars, making up 1.04% of all establishments, according to county-level data. For that same time period, cities with fewer than 10,000 people saw a 30% jump in homicides, which matches the FBIs final nationwide estimate for 2020. Every March, it hosts the Southern Arizona Senior Games in which more than 1,000 participants compete in events that include bicycling, mah-jongg, tennis, and powerlifting. These 5 cities hail from all across the countryIdaho to New Yorkalthough the majority are in the Northeast, which traditionally has the highest concentration of towns with little or no crime reported. "The town really is idyllic, like a throwback to simpler times," Jason adds. "But there have been more and more young families moving here to live full time, too," says Margaret Shutze, who moved with her own family in 2019 to create Flat Mountain Farm, a workshop and event space. - Population: 16,050 (14% age 55-64 and 41% age 65+) - Population: 38,877 (15% age 55-64 and 76% age 65+) Median housing costs equal 17.43% of median household income in Flower Mound, the 21st-lowest ranking for this metric. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past eight. - Median rent: $1,420 (15% rent). Though South Kensington has its share of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, residents also have easy access to the sights, shops, and eateries of Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. But even small town America isnt immune to crime. In 2021 that number grew . These adjusted measurements were then added together with the weights mentioned above to get a score of 100. Lucky for us, America is full of small towns that capture that nostalgic feelingand nearly non-existent crime rates are the cherry on top. According to the 2020 Census, 63% of Americans live in an, But it turns out the trends weve seen during the pandemic. Flickr/Delilah Hinman. - Population: 5,283 (15% age 55-64 and 34% age 65+) - Median home value: $232,900 (91% own) The Stourbridge Line historic railroad, based in Honesdale, offers rides along the Lackawaxen River Valley in restored 1920s train cars. Lafayette, Indiana has the 13th-highest concentration of restaurants, at 9.13% of all establishments at the county level. But there's plenty to sing about these days, too, with a new generation starting businesses here and around the Poconos. On top of our overall 100 Safest Cities in America report, we think it helps to hone in on crime trends in cities of similar sizes. Big cities have advantages, as do small towns with safe streets and quiet neighborhoods. - Median rent: $1,214 (11% rent). These Are the Best Places to Raise a Family in the U.S. Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce offers a relocation guide, the restaurants, attractions, and shopping, water activities and observing the many bird species, Here's How Much Parental Leave You Get in Every U.S. State, shopping centers, fine dining, and water sports, four waterfront neighborhood parks and a private boat ramp, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. - Median home value: $346,400 (89% own) - Median household income: $82,081 As Mayor Johnny Magee says, "You're here, you're family.". Some of the best choices are idyllic suburbs like Piermont, New York and Shenandoah, Texas, that are just minutes away from the business bustle and cultural attractions of big cities. For the purposes of this report, the terms safest and dangerous refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime datano other characterization of any community is implied or intended. Median housing costs equal 15.39% of median household income in Fishers, Indiana, ranking fifth for this metric out of all 291 cities we studied. But if we must, these 10 rise to the top of the Country Living editors' list. With numerous water trails and a temperate climate, the coast is a paddler's paradise. Emeryville, California (also had the highest property crime rate in the U.S.), 2. In addition, it ranks 30th for its relatively low proportion of residents living below the poverty line, at 4.0%. Plus, according to the 2020 Census most Americans tend to live in small towns. The existence of a fiduciary duty does not prevent the rise of potential conflicts of interest. Colleges: University of Minnesota, College of St. Catherine, Hamline University, Macalester College, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), The College of St. Scholastica. Its easy to conjure an image of life in a small town. On one hand, you could say that small towns experience less of everythingfewer weddings, fewer funerals, fewer high school reunionsbut thats an oversimplification. - Population: 15,095 (18% age 55-64 and 51% age 65+) - Population: 17,074 (16% age 55-64 and 32% age 65+) Our number 1 most conservative state in America.Wyoming leads the nation by far in terms of the widest gap between conservatives and liberals at 35%. - Population: 1,129 (16% age 55-64 and 48% age 65+) - Median rent: $1,518 (5% rent), Leland Grove is just minutes away from Springfield and all the restaurants, attractions, and shopping the state capital has to offer. Note: Theres a five-way tie for number one. Whether your city made our list or not, we encourage everyone to be proactive about home security. Things to do in Orlando with your kids Orlando is America's playground, and millions of people visit each year. - Median home value: $162,400 (59% own) - Median home value: $333,500 (86% own) St. Simons Island is part of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia known as the Golden Isles. SmartAsset does not review the ongoing performance of any Adviser, participate in the management of any users account by an Adviser or provide advice regarding specific investments. Cheektowaga also ranks 19th for home affordability, with a 2.43ratio of home value to household income. To help retirees thinking about a move, Stacker referenced Niche's 2020 Best Places to Retire study, which lists 50 American small towns that offer the best retirement options. Residents are just minutes from Detroit and 30 miles from the Brighton Howell area, which has 123 miles of trails and 20 golf courses. Unlike the safest and most dangerous metros, this years safest small towns saw a rise in violent crime year over year. The good news: There was a 17% decline in property crimes compared to the cities that made the list last year. - Median rent: $1,211 (1% rent). This is not a guarantee. The median household income ranges from around $36,000 per year to over $158,000. Don't miss the annual Red Poppy Festival, a free celebration with live music, a parade, a kid zone, arts and crafts, and a car show.Hailed as "The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas," downtown Georgetown allows free parking after 5 p.m. year-round to dine, try a wine-tasting or two . - Median household income: $181,929 Among them: The Maker, an 11-room boutique hotel spread across three historic buildings, founded by the owners of Fresh beauty products, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. - Median home value: $474,600 (71% own) . Heres a rundown of what we learned: Overwhelmingly, when compared to big cities, the 100 towns that made our list have higher numbers when it comes to median household income and the number of high school graduates. This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. So what else makes the five safest small towns similar? - Median rent: $1,195 (15% rent). Holly Hills is a small Denver suburb, which gives residents the advantage of being close to the excitement of the city with the ability to go home to a small, friendly community at the end of the day. Everything from remote work to spiking violent crime rates in larger locales has been credited with the exodus. The town is also home to the long-running annual Fiesta, a celebration of West Michigan's Latino culture and community. "It was an opportunity to not only restores Wilson to its former glory, but make it a hub of food and culture in the Delta while staying true to its roots," says Norbert Mede, who heads up the town's development. For those who are leaving the bustle behind for bucolic reverie, the sense of safety associated with small-town life may play a factorbut small towns have crime too. Factor in longtime draws like excellent antiquing, a top-notch farmers' market, and easy access to outdoor adventure, and it's easy to see why more folks are calling Hudson home. The Marsh Walk is a source of pride in this beach town known as the seafood capital of South Carolina. Part of St. Tammany Parish, which boasts more than 160,000 registered Republicans, Slidell has become a hub for right-leaning voters and conservative values. - Median rent: $1,196 (9% rent). There's a vibrant arts community nurtured via local institutions like The Bascom visual arts center, as well as outdoor adventure aplenty in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This Central Coast town has plenty to boast about, with more than 200 wineries and award-winning restaurants. For more safe city data, check out our list of the, , and watch for our ranking of the safest (and most dangerous) metro areascoming soon. "Some say river towns ebb and flow, and I think Hudson is always reinventing itself," says Jocie Sinauer, proprietor of antiques shop Red Chair on Warren. SmartAsset compared almost 300 cities with populations between 65,000 and 100,000 to identify and rank the most livable small cities in our 2021 study. - Median rent: $2,547 (7% rent), This Phoenix suburb sits on the edges of both the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and Camelback Mountain and has three golf courses, four medical centers, nine resorts, and 294 sunny days per year. 29% of Mississippi residents are moderate, and 12% are liberal, the smallest percentage of every state. Americans are living longer than ever, and that creates some challenges for retirees. - Median household income: $124,716 - Median rent: $1,062 (21% rent). Crime in small towns can be surprising. What do you get when your town is home to FIBArk, the oldest and biggest white water festival in the country? - Median home value: $159,900 (82% own) The United States is full of beautiful small towns. - Median rent: $1,254 (41% rent). Note: There was a five-way tie for number one, listed in alphabetical order. Almost one in two Americans (48%, to be exact) prefer to live in a town or rural area, according to a 2020 Gallup survey up from 39% in 2018. There are picks for outdoor lovers, as well as options for art- and food-focused folks. - Median household income: $131,071 3/3/2023 0 Comments This data was used to provide additional insight into any trends or patterns that may correlate to why some cities or states may be more likely to report lower crime numbers than others. - Population: 1,400 (24% age 55-64 and 48% age 65+) Why small towns? Highlands, North Carolina, has long been a favorite getaway for Southern city dwellers and antique hunters. In this article we discuss the 5 most conservative major cities in the United States. How Much Do I Need to Save for Retirement. ", - Population: 3,327 (17% age 55-64 and 27% age 65+) With so many charming small towns across America, it's hard to pick favorites. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market news. - Median household income: $74,087 - Population: 12,978 (17% age 55-64 and 41% age 65+) Each measurement was normalized on a 01 scale with 1 corresponding to the measurement that would most positively affect the final score. - Population: 1,406 (17% age 55-64 and 34% age 65+) Located in Maricopa County, the town is located 45 minutes from Phoenix, giving it fantastic connectivity. Elmira Town, New York 9. More about us. Local Lingo: "El Paso de Robles" (the Pass of the Oaks) is just "Paso" to locals. Getting to New York City's Penn Station takes about 35 minutes by train, but there are plenty of reasons to stay close, including the activities and programs offered by the Great Neck Park District. When you go, visit the new Paso Market Walk showcasing local makers, farmers, and vinters, and stay in a retro camper at Rves de Moutons, located on a goat and sheep farm in the heart of wine country. - Median household income: $180,000 You may also like: Here's How Much Parental Leave You Get in Every U.S. State, - Population: 13,072 (13% age 55-64 and 31% age 65+) It's perfect for those who enjoy winter weather, as it gets an average of 23 inches of snow a year, and its average annual high temperature doesn't quite hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Collectively, we saw a 38% rise in the violent crime rate among our safest small towns this year. You may also like: These Are the Best Places to Raise a Family in the U.S. - Population: 24,729 (20% age 55-64 and 38% age 65+) It's one of the largest of the islands, and one of the most beautiful and quintessentially Southern. Indeed, Sun Lakes has five adult country club communities represented by three homeowner associations, numerous golf courses, and hundreds of special-interest clubs. 19. - Population: 3,874 (16% age 55-64 and 24% age 65+) An old political adage goes that cities are more liberal whilst rural areas are more conservative. This community sits on the 25.4-mile barrier island of Bogue Banks, which is part of an area called the Crystal Coast for its white beaches and clear water. - Median rent: $1,088 (18% rent). - Median household income: $170,417 - Median home value: $387,600 (89% own) Next, we found each citys average ranking, with each metric receiving an equal weight. Taking money from your IRA may seem like a simple matter, but it's a decision that must be timed right. The city with the highest average ranking received a score of 100 and the city with the lowest average ranking received a score of 0. Conservatives are attracted towards Burleson due to its high quality of life,. Surprisingly, there were over twice as many violent crimes reported compared to the number of property crimes. If you find yourself in an emergency, a medical alert necklace can contact trained professionals See which medical alert system is the best to keep you and your loved one Find the best medical alert systems with fall detection. New Hampshire's Lake District. Courtesy New Albany Main Street Association New Albany, Mississippi This is the small small-town. Wayland, Massachusetts 7. - Median household income: $211,393 Known as the "Horse Capital of the World," Lexington, KY is all about bluegrass, bourbon, and the Breeder's Cup. The town is also the perfect jumping off point for day trips to other Poconos towns like Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, and Milford. Woodbury is situated near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Bear Mountain State Park, with views down the Hudson River to New York City. One of the most popular cities among Republicans and the conservative population of America is Burleson, Texas. Median housing costs equal just 16.93% of median household income in OFallon, ranking 19th for that metric in the study overall. - Median rent: $932 (20% rent). There's plenty of opportunity for golfing at Lake Success Golf Club or the Fresh Meadow Country Club, which has been a destination for celebrities including Babe Ruth. Nearby is the Friendship Heights shopping district and the National Institutes of Health and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. - Median rent: $869 (25% rent). Only 1.9% of Flower Mound residents live beneath the poverty line, the third-lowest rate for this metric in our study. More Galleries From Forbes. Garrett Park retains its historic, small-town charm with potluck town dinners, farmers markets, a swim club, and historic homes and buildings. Mississippi is the most conservative state in the U.S., with 50% of the population being conservative. St. Simons Island is part of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia known as the Golden Isles. - Median household income: $114,750 - Median rent: $1,071 (45% rent). Show chat replay Understanding the Pros and Cons of Annuities. - Median home value: $293,100 (85% own) Read the2020 study here. Just over 30 miles away from St. Louis, OFallon, Missouri leads our study as the most livable small city in America. - Median home value: $271,500 (94% own) She was 30 years old, just a "regular person," she said, when she gave up her career to . Popular with retirees, in Cypress Lake, four in 10 residents are age 65 or older. For those who are leaving the bustle behind for bucolic reverie, the sense of safety associated with small-town life may play a factorbut small towns have crime too. - Median home value: $1,001,800 (81% own) Weiser, Idaho 6. It might surprise you to learn that most Americans live in small towns. As part of our Safest Cities series, we look at crime rates in cities of all different sizes. - Median home value: $159,900 (89% own) Jennifer Piper/Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce. Retirees in Florida enjoy the financial benefits of having no . - Population: 2,835 (15% age 55-64 and 21% age 65+) The Timber Pines Community Association, which says it's dedicated to offering premier "country club living for active adults," calls Timber Pines the "best-kept secret in Florida." 7 on our 2014 List of the Best Cities for Conservatives, and for good reason. - Population: 1,255 (13% age 55-64 and 54% age 65+) We may earn money when you click links on our site. St Charles has the 39th-highest concentration of healthcare establishments at the county level (13.44%) and the 55th-lowest Dec. 2020 unemployment rate (4.7%) both top quintile rankings. - Median rent: $2,634 (3% rent). The Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning: Age 50, The Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning: Age 59 , The Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning: Age 65, The Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning: Age 66, The Most Important Ages for Retirement Planning: Age 70 . When a small town has a high quality of life and a good economy, it often begins to draw new residents. A farm-to-table-dinner on a bridge in New Albany, Miss., and the Park Along the River. That prompted us to ask, What makes those five small towns similar? The answer: almost nothing. Pre-pandemic, 75 million visitors a year went to Orlando. Residents can swim in two geothermally heated pools, golf on four courses, play tennis on eight courts, and join more than 100 clubs, classes, and organizations. Motto: "A great place to visit, a better place to live.". A maximum of 10 towns from each state and towns with a population of fewer than 40,000 were considered for the rankings, which Niche calculated according to retiree representation, weather quality, cost and safety, access to healthy living, and a handful of other factors. It is important to note that our 2020 study on the most livable small cities in the U.S. did not include one of the metrics we used this year the unemployment rate in each city. - Median rent: $991 (21% rent). America's most conservative cities are skewed toward being more liberal than one might expect, according to an analysis by The Economist. - Median rent: $1,542 (6% rent). Heres what we learned about violent crime in Sauk Village: Emeryville, California reported the highest number of property crime incidents in 2019. - Median household income: $80,451 But anyone who's enjoyed a quiet afternoon swinging on a front porch or hiking up colorful mountains knows America's small towns are, in their own way, just as appealing. It also reported the highest number of property crime incidents in2019. It offers retirees a suburban vibe with restaurants, coffee shops, and plenty of green spaceand the proximity to the nation's capital leaves even more room for culture, arts, and education. There are no guarantees that working with an adviser will yield positive returns. See the rest of the safest small towns in America. It's easy to make the case for Honesdale's charm. Holland is also on the water, so there's beach time, too, at spots like Holland Beach State Park, home to the iconic Big Red Lighthouse. For flexibility and a sense of purpose, consider these jobs for people over 50. These were(in alphabetical order) Lewisboro Town, New York;Luzerne Township, Pennsylvania;Sleepy Hollow Village, New York;Thetford Township, Michigan: andWeiser, Idaho. "When we moved back from college, there was almost nothing in downtown," says Ben. Among the 100 cities on our list this year, there were six murders total, down from nine the previous yearthats a 33% drop. The town is small, with just under 4,000 people, and is known for its great weather and bountiful outdoor activities like art and cultural festivals, gardens, and al fresco dining. But those few factors, along with numbers of reported crimes, are still just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to analyzing everything that impacts both the safety and overall quality of life in a community, large or small. SmartAssets services are limited to referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. The town has been the headquarters for children's magazine Highlights since 1946, and its quaint streets inspired the Christmas carol "Winter Wonderland." - Median household income: $50,945 Chevy Chase sits at the border of Maryland and the District of Columbia, just a few miles from the White House and the U.S. Capitol down Connecticut Avenue. From New York and L.A. to Chicago and Miami, the United States is home to some of the best and buzziest big cities in the world. You may also like: 50 U.S. Cities With the Dirtiest Air, - Population: 5,370 (19% age 55-64 and 59% age 65+) , Michigan reported the highest violent crime rate among the safest small towns, reporting 0.8 incidents per 1,000 people. - Population: 2,272 (20% age 55-64 and 37% age 65+) Meanwhile, Sauk Village, Illinoisa suburb of Chicagowhich was named the second most dangerous town in America overall was ranked as the most violent small town in the country. It's also downright friendly (see the "Greetings from" and "Welcome to" murals). An extensive new trail system is also in the works along the river. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. During the first nine months of 2020, New York City. - Median rent: $840 (11% rent). Median household income ranges from around $36,000 per year to over $158,000. Aggravated assault was the most common violent crime reported, with 490 incidents. Those who want to stay active with outdoor recreation or by playing golf have their pick of communities near manicured club courses and the great outdoors. Urban Crime: Are Crime Rates Higher In Urban Areas? St. Paul is second in the U.S. in the number of higher education institutions per capita. It has a staggering violent crime rate of 54.9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 15 times higher than the U.S. violent crime rate and 13 times higher than the violent crime rate for all of Illinois. - Median household income: $85,417 - Median household income: $187,778 The 10 Safest Small towns In America In 2021 Note: There was a five-way tie for number one, listed in alphabetical order. With no shortage of choices, how do they decide? - Median rent: $936 (14% rent). (Shutterstock) Share with friends. But 14.6% of the residents in Lafayette live below the poverty line, ranking 200th out of all 291 cities we analyzed. Besides the fact that the first five places on the list reported zero incidents of both violent and property crime, the majority are in the Northeast, which traditionally has the most safe small towns on the list. The percentage of residents living below the poverty line ranges from 4% to 22%. Larceny-theft was the most common property crime reported, accounting for 92% of all reported incidents. In the summer months, late afternoon thunderstorms are common two days out of three, although tropical storms and hurricanes can bring downpours and high winds. Dozens of pop culture references (from. ) On one hand, you could say that small towns experience less of everythingfewer weddings, fewer funerals, fewer high school reunionsbut thats an oversimplification.