Vermont Business Magazine A national home security firm has used comprehensive law enforcement data to rank the safest municipalities in the US. Essex ranked second overall and Milton ranked 23rd. Vermont as a state was noted as having the fewest number of sex offenders per capita. The firm, SafeWise, (link is external)is a home security and safety brand committed to increasing safety education, awareness, and preparedness in American communities. SafeWise has been recognized by The Huffington Post, AngiesList, Mashable, and Homes.com, for their Home Security Brand Comparisons and Safest Cities Reports.Finding a safe place to raise your family is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. From the quality of the school system to the accessibility of great parks and children’s recreational activities, selecting a community where you’ll want to settle down and raise a child is serious business.SafeWise delved into the data to define which cities in the United States excel at creating safer environments for families.SafeWise notes that the safest cities for raising families tend to skew towards coastal New England towns, where quiet, suburban neighborhoods have less crime, promote healthy and active lifestyles, and enjoy well-funded school systems. Connecticut takes the lead with nearly a third of the cities on the list hailing from the state, while New Jersey’s family-friendly townships make up a large portion of the remaining communities.Here are a few state statistics that helped inform our rankings of which cities are the safest for raising a family.Connecticut has exceptionally low rates of violent crime.Vermont has the fewest registered sex offenders per capita of any state.New Jersey has the second-highest high school graduation rate.Massachusetts schools are rated the best for overall quality.While parents always strive to closely supervise their kids, it helps to have a community that’s willing to focus on family-friendly initiatives that make the difference. These are the cities across America that make one of the toughest and most rewarding jobs you’ll ever undertake a little less stressful.1. Greenwich, ConnecticutFounded by a descendant of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Greenwich captures plenty of historic charm without sacrificing safety. Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in America, this community has private beaches, plenty of parks and recreation programs, and an island sanctuary to help residents escape from the bustle of ordinary life. Many Greenwich couples have kids, so you’ll be in good company when you settle in one of these quiet Connecticut culs-de-sac.2. Essex, VermontThis mountain town is one of the most populous in Vermont but retains a small-town commitment to community involvement. Essex’s award-winning schools focus not only on graduation and college attendance, but also on apprenticeship opportunities for students who want to move into business or industry-sector jobs that require technical skills. Come for the scenic, rural charm but stay for the unparalleled, real-world education opportunities.3. Fairfield, ConnecticutThis city on the Long Island Sound frequently wins accolades as one of the best places to live in the Northeast. Fairfield not only subsidizes neighborhood programs that focus on creating a stronger sense of community but also heavily invests in the public school system. The most expensive construction project in the city’s history concludes this summer and provides residents with three new schools equipped with the latest technology and innovative spaces for learning 1.4. Carmel, IndianaCarmel is one of the fastest-growing cities in Indiana,2 and it’s easy to see why. Families are attracted to the award-winning parks and recreation department that offers a robust menu of summer camps, extended school enrichment, and even a water park. It’s also home to the World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery, a claim to fame that has plenty of adorable appeal.5. Merrimack, New HampshireTucked into the outside curve of the Merrimack River, this city is often touted as a best place to live due to its accessibility for commuters and rural, small-town sensibilities. Merrimack has several award-winning high school sports programs and was also the first in the state to establish charter schools focused on STEM and arts education.36. Fishers, IndianaRecently named a Playful City for the ninth year in a row, Fishers’ focus on kids’ recreational opportunities is unparalleled. The city produces a seasonal guide to its incredible parks and recreation program that features a community garden, a subsidized preschool, and tons of summer camp opportunities. Indiana’s teacher of the year also hails from Fishers, which is situated in one of the best school districts in the state.7. Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New JerseyAlong the outer reaches of suburban New York, this New Jersey township has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the Northeast. Residents are attracted by the fantastic educational opportunities in Monroe Township, which was voted best high school in America, Silver in 2014 by US News.48. Irvine, CaliforniaA planned city in sunny California, Irvine is biking friendly with a focus on sports for kids, nature centers, adventure playgrounds, and more. This community also has a specific department that handles family services and provides counseling, and Irvine also offers fantastic higher education opportunities at nearby universities like Pepperdine.9. Middletown Township, New JerseyThis Jersey township is nestled along the Sandy Hook Bay and has a plethora of beaches that provide prime fishing opportunities, despite the city’s proximity to New York City. Middletown Township’s calendar is packed with family activities like community fossil hunts, movies in the park, and mother-daughter afternoon teas.10. Cary, North CarolinaLocated near the Research Triangle Park, Cary’s award-winning sports and recreation department has a robust approach to youth sports. Dotted with creeks and tree-lined streets, this community outside of Raleigh is one of the most highly educated in America, as 68% of residents have a college degree. 511. Wayne Township, New JerseyDespite being dotted with lakes and tidy suburban neighborhoods, Wayne Township is just twenty miles from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. The city has nearly 2,000 acres of parkland, which includes swimming facilities, community gardens, and dozens of playgrounds. Wayne Township is also home to a world-famous ice rink where championship skaters and coaches run youth skating programs.12. Franklin, MassachusettsMassachusetts is rated the highest in the nation for overall school quality, and Franklin is no exception, winning the 7th Annual AP Honor Roll Award for superior high schools.6 This quaint New England town is also home to America’s first library, whose books were donated by Benjamin Franklin himself.13. Toms River Township, New JerseyNew Jersey’s stellar graduation rates are just the beginning of what Toms River Township has to offer students. A youth services department specifically focuses on after-school and summer camps tailored to provide services to kids in need. And when October rolls around, you’ll be in for a ghoulish good time as the township prepares to host the second-largest Halloween parade in the world.7 14. Warwick, Rhode IslandIt may be the second-largest city in Rhode Island, but Warwick still retains plenty of small-town charm as a cheerful New England seaport. Enjoy miles of beachfront parks, an ice arena, and even a picturesque rocky point outfitted with a scenic lighthouse.15. Ridgefield, ConnecticutA 300-year-old town at the foot of the Berkshire mountains, Ridgefield lives up to its name with stately colonials and green lawns that lead to the sea. The Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, formerly known as the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, is famous for having performed at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.8 The school system is noted for a fantastic band and an arts program that would be music to any parent’s ears.16. Gilbert, ArizonaSoutheast of Phoenix lies Gilbert, one of the most populous incorporated town in Arizona.9 Named a 2017 Playful City USA for its commitment to families, this formerly agricultural town has turned into a bustling suburbia focused on providing programs for every member of its community.17. Bridgewater Township, New JerseyTravel inland to the friendly, tree-lined neighborhoods of Bridgewater Township, and you’ll find more than great parks and youth recreation opportunities. Local high schools boast stellar graduation rates and have been the recipients of Blue Ribbon Awards from the US Department of Education for exceptional performance.18. Southington, ConnecticutJust southwest of Hartford along the gently rolling hills of the Quinnipiac River lies Southington. This Connecticut town’s high school has a fantastic reputation, with a 93% graduation rate.10 Southington is also home to the Apple Harvest Festival, a family-friendly seasonal event that draws tens of thousands of visitors.19. Orem, UtahFamily City USA is this Utah city’s nickname, and it lives up to it with a smorgasbord of family-focused opportunities and programs. Just south of Salt Lake City, Orem is a university town with tons of trails, a robust parks system, and a bevy of neighborhood leaders that excel at creating a strong, welcoming community.20. Westport, ConnecticutSnuggled against the Long Island Sound, Westport has some of the best middle schools in the nation, snagging multiple Blue Ribbon Awards from the Department of Education. Known for its brick facades, this picturesque coastal town claims it is “New England in tradition; cosmopolitan in outlook.”21. Cumberland, Rhode IslandJust around the corner from Providence, Cumberland boasts a historic park and an award-winning Little League team whose coach, Dave Belisle, has become something of a legend. Despite easy access to New Haven and Boston, Cumberland still retains its rural sensibilities.22. Hillsborough Township, New JerseyTucked on the edge of a mountain preserve, Hillsborough Township focuses on putting families first with great sports programs and excellent schools. This New Jersey town was named a Playful City USA for its efforts to keep kids engaged and active.23. Milton, VermontMilton is a sleepy little Vermont town along the edge of Lake Champlain with an attractive lineup of summer camp programs and an award-winning youth theater program.12 The town proper may look familiar as the setting for the movie Me, Myself, and Irene, some of which was filmed on location in Milton.24. Simsbury, ConnecticutSimsbury has one of the best youth music programs in the nation and has been recognized for exceptional arts advocacy.13 Simsbury High School was ranked a top Connecticut school by US News and World Report,11 and the entire community enjoys not only low rates of crime, but also a healthy, active community centered on being bike and pedestrian friendly.25. Cheshire, ConnecticutBetween Hartford and New Haven lies the city of Cheshire, which was named a best place to live by Connecticut Magazine.14 This inland city with quiet neighborhoods devotes a good amount of resources to its Youth Services Department, which coordinates activities, counseling, and family services.26. Milford, ConnecticutHome of the famous Oyster Festival, Milford is a coastal town clustered along the banks of its own inlet from the sea. Home to several beaches, an historic downtown, and a large protected marsh that is a wildlife sanctuary, Milford manages to keep it quaint despite being sandwiched between the busy metro areas of New Haven and Bridgeport.27. Glastonbury, ConnecticutJust northeast of New Haven, Glastonbury is an award-winning, bicycle-friendly community that NerdWallet lists as a best place for first-time homebuyers.15 The Youth and Family Services program puts on annual drama productions that have become quite the draw locally, and families can take their pick of dozens of well-maintained parks around town.28. Narragansett, Rhode IslandAnother beach town, Narragansett’s population doubles during the summer due to its famous beaches, which are a huge draw for tourists. Despite the crowds, this city still enjoys relatively low crime and an exceptional school system.29. Lakeville, MinnesotaA suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Lakeville lives up to its name with plenty of small ponds and a recreationally focused community. While it’s the only Minnesota city on our list, Lakeville earns its top spot with award-winning schools and plenty of small-town charm.30. Newton, MassachusettsNicknamed the Garden City, this suburb of Boston boasts quiet, safe neighborhoods, referred to as villages, that are accessible by rail from Beantown. Massachusetts enjoys some of the best schools in the nation, but Newton sweetens the deal with plenty of youth programs, including a popular Learn to Fish class available to both kids and adults.MethodologyThe SafeWise team reviewed reported sex offender concentration(link is external), state graduation rates(link is external), overall school quality ranking(link is external), and FBI violent crime data(link is external). SafeWise also considered parks and recreational opportunities as well as special programs focused on providing services for kids and families. While lots of communities strive to provide a safe environment for their residents, the cities on this list performed the best considering these factors specifically important to raising a family.It’s important to note that SafeWise eliminated all cities with fewer than 10,000 residents and those communities that did not report complete crime numbers to the FBI.Source: SafeWise, June 2017(link is external)
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