Safest cities in Indiana

Known as the 'Hoosier State,' Indiana is characterized by its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located in the Midwestern United States, Indiana boasts a variety of terrains, from rolling plains to lush forests and numerous lakes. The state's economy is driven by industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, with a growing presence in technology and logistics. Indianapolis, the state capital, is a vibrant urban center known for its sports culture, including the famous Indianapolis 500 auto race and a strong basketball tradition. Indiana also offers a rich array of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and historic sites.

The safest cities in Indiana offer residents a high quality of life with low crime rates, enhancing the overall livability of these communities. Safety is a crucial factor in fostering strong, thriving neighborhoods where residents can feel secure. Factors contributing to the safety of Indiana's cities include effective law enforcement, community policing efforts, and active local involvement in public safety initiatives. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring an accurate assessment of safety. With this focus on security, residents can fully enjoy Indiana's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the constant concern of crime.

Columbus Population: 48,820 132 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 19 Property Crime / 100k: 112 chance of being a victim: 1 in 760

Columbus proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Indiana. With only 132 crimes per 100,000 people, Columbus has a crime rate that is 48% lower than the Indiana average. This equates to an average of 0.19 crimes per day and a 1 in 760 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

St. John Population: 18,382 207 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 21 Property Crime / 100k: 187 chance of being a victim: 1 in 482

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, St. John comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Indiana with a crime rate of 207 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 178 counts of theft, 8 counts of vehicle theft, 17 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 4 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in St. John, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Chesterton Population: 13,884 252 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 218 chance of being a victim: 1 in 397

With a population of 13,884 and a total crime rate of 252 per 100,000 residents, Chesterton is the 3rd safest city in Indiana. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 85% lower than the Indiana average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Batesville Population: 6,945 259 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 218 chance of being a victim: 1 in 386

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Batesville is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 259, 93% lower than the Indiana average. This amounts to 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 386 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Batesville a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Dyer Population: 15,933 282 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 12 Property Crime / 100k: 270 chance of being a victim: 1 in 354

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Dyer consistently ranks high in safety. In Dyer, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 282, which is 84% lower than the state average.

Zionsville Population: 28,035 301 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 21 Property Crime / 100k: 279 chance of being a victim: 1 in 332

Zionsville has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Indiana. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 301 crimes per 100,000 people, 67% lower than the Indiana average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 6 reports of burglary, 249 reports of theft, 25 reports of vehicle theft, 15 reports of assault, 3 reports of robbery, 3 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Cedar Lake Population: 12,830 392 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 73 Property Crime / 100k: 318 chance of being a victim: 1 in 255

Cedar Lake ranks as the seventh safest city in Indiana and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 255 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.18 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Cedar Lake’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Indiana.

Bargersville Population: 7,417 435 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 400 chance of being a victim: 1 in 230

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Bargersville is the 8th safest city in Indiana. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the Indiana average, reporting a total of 435 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

New Whiteland Population: 6,178 516 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 482 chance of being a victim: 1 in 194

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. New Whiteland is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Indiana, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 516 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Lawrenceburg Population: 5,009 537 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 134 Property Crime / 100k: 403 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Indiana, is Lawrenceburg. With a low rate of crime that included 0 burglaries, 345 thefts, 58 vehicle thefts, 58 assaults, 0 robberies, 77 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 95% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Indiana

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Columbus	48,820	19	112	132
2	St. John	18,382	21	187	207
3	Chesterton	13,884	34	218	252
4	Batesville	6,945	41	218	259
5	Dyer	15,933	12	270	282
6	Zionsville	28,035	21	279	301
7	Cedar Lake	12,830	73	318	392
8	Bargersville	7,417	36	400	435
9	New Whiteland	6,178	34	482	516
10	Lawrenceburg	5,009	134	403	537
11	Yorktown	11,128	42	510	552
12	Huntingburg	6,301	275	306	581
13	Crown Point	30,372	49	592	641
14	Noblesville	64,430	105	601	706
15	Fishers	93,488	99	609	708
16	Elwood	8,435	202	569	771
17	Jasper	15,681	197	590	787
18	Brownsburg	26,560	81	781	862
19	Carmel	99,130	58	835	893
20	Washington	12,514	188	711	899
21	Greenfield	22,561	177	744	921
22	Westfield	41,652	68	853	921
23	Gas City	5,756	33	910	943
24	Nappanee	7,138	116	844	960
25	McCordsville	7,237	214	767	981
26	Griffith	16,198	105	903	1,008
27	Bluffton	10,298	192	845	1,037
28	Columbia City	9,115	128	916	1,044
29	Kendallville	9,365	176	873	1,049
30	Munster	22,604	72	993	1,066
31	Valparaiso	33,707	106	961	1,067
32	Auburn	13,209	80	1,056	1,136
33	Lebanon	16,317	286	906	1,192
34	Shelbyville	18,918	183	1,015	1,198
35	Whitestown	8,842	116	1,101	1,218
36	West Lafayette	49,668	62	1,183	1,245
37	Franklin	25,276	73	1,197	1,270
38	Danville	10,380	108	1,172	1,280
39	Portage	36,524	223	1,059	1,283
40	Crawfordsville	16,088	205	1,117	1,323
41	New Haven	15,934	213	1,140	1,353
42	Frankfort	15,569	92	1,418	1,509
43	Schererville	28,559	67	1,453	1,520
44	Tell City	7,243	256	1,388	1,644
45	Mount Vernon	6,535	252	1,420	1,673
46	Angola	8,706	42	1,662	1,704
47	Highland	22,479	145	1,565	1,710
48	North Vernon	7,167	290	1,437	1,727
49	La Porte	21,328	235	1,499	1,734
50	Logansport	17,968	50	1,716	1,766

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Indiana is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Indiana cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.