The national crime and safety data experts at SafeWise updated its 8th Annual Safest Cities report, including the 20 Safest Cities in Massachusetts of 2022.
SafeWise uses FBI and U.S. Census data to determine the safest cities in America.
SEE THE LIST BELOW: The 20 Safest Cities and Towns in Massachusetts in 2022
According to SafeWise, Massachusetts respondents reported fewer personal violent crime incidents than in 2021 — only 5% said they experienced violent crime in the past 12 months — a decrease of 3% from last year.
In Worcester County, five towns cracked the Top 20 safest cities in Massachusetts, including Holden, Clinton, Shrewsbury, Grafton and Charlton. The town of Northborough ranked #25.
Worcester is ranked #141 out of 146 cities and towns in the study.
Some highlights from SafeWise’s study:
- Clinton, Holden, Hanover, and Charlton are new to the list this year. Wayland is new to the list and the SafeWise’s new number 1 in Massachusetts.
- None of the safest cities reported murders, and nine reported 0 robberies.
- Property crime rates dropped from 11.8 per 1,000 to 10.5.
- There was a slight year-over-year decline in violent crime, from 3.3 incidents per 1,000 people to 3.1.
Here are the 20 Safest Cities and Towns in Mass. in 2022, according to SafeWise:
#20 – Pembroke
#19 – North Reading
#18 – Wellesley
#17 – Arlington
#16 – Charlton
#15 – Marshfield
#14 – Milton
#13 – Lexington
#12 – Scituate
#11 – Grafton
#10 – Duxbury
#9 – Shrewsbury
#8 – Hanover
#7 – Sharon
#6 – Westford
#5 – Hopkinton
#4- Holden
#3 – Clinton
#2 – Franklin
#1 – Wayland
Lead image: Silver Lake Beach in Grafton, Mass./ThisWeekinWorcester.com
