Safest cities in Rhode Island

Known as the 'Ocean State,' Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States but boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning coastal scenery. Located in the northeastern United States, Rhode Island offers a diverse geography that includes beautiful beaches, historic towns, and vibrant urban centers. The state's economy is supported by industries such as healthcare, education, tourism, and manufacturing. Providence, the state capital, is known for its thriving arts scene, historic architecture, and prestigious universities. Rhode Island is also famous for its maritime history, with numerous lighthouses, marinas, and sailing events celebrating its coastal heritage.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Rhode Island particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Rhode Island's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Rhode Island's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

East Providence Population: 47,442 905 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 838 chance of being a victim: 1 in 111

East Providence proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Rhode Island. With only 905 crimes per 100,000 people, East Providence has a crime rate that is 53% lower than the Rhode Island average. This equates to an average of 1.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 111 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.

Tiverton Population: 7,996 923 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 856 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Tiverton comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Rhode Island with a crime rate of 923 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 68 counts of burglary, 671 counts of theft, 117 counts of vehicle theft, 37 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 31 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Tiverton, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Westerly Population: 17,842 955 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 887 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

With a population of 17,842 and a total crime rate of 955 per 100,000 residents, Westerly is the 3rd safest city in Rhode Island. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 76% lower than the Rhode Island 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.

Cranston Population: 81,252 1,275 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 119 Property Crime / 100k: 1,156 chance of being a victim: 1 in 78

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Cranston 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 1,275, 18% lower than the Rhode Island average. This amounts to 2.87 crimes per day and a 1 in 78 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 Cranston a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Warwick Population: 81,043 1,483 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 76 Property Crime / 100k: 1,407 chance of being a victim: 1 in 67

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Warwick consistently ranks high in safety. In Warwick, 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 1,483, which is 17% lower than the state average.

Central Falls Population: 19,437 1,594 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 403 Property Crime / 100k: 1,191 chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

Central Falls has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Rhode Island. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,594 crimes per 100,000 people, 78% lower than the Rhode Island average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 98 reports of burglary, 859 reports of theft, 233 reports of vehicle theft, 291 reports of assault, 45 reports of robbery, 67 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Newport Population: 24,697 1,801 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 228 Property Crime / 100k: 1,574 chance of being a victim: 1 in 56

Newport ranks as the seventh safest city in Rhode Island and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 56 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 1.24 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. Newport’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Rhode Island.

Woonsocket Population: 41,616 2,236 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 450 Property Crime / 100k: 1,787 chance of being a victim: 1 in 45

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Woonsocket is the 8th safest city in Rhode Island. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 57% lower than the Rhode Island average, reporting a total of 2,236 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.

Pawtucket Population: 71,821 2,540 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 287 Property Crime / 100k: 2,253 chance of being a victim: 1 in 39

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Pawtucket is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Rhode Island, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 2,540 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 25% lower than the state average.

Providence Population: 179,472 2,872 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 340 Property Crime / 100k: 2,531 chance of being a victim: 1 in 35

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Rhode Island, is Providence. With a low rate of crime that included 204 burglaries, 1,950 thefts, 378 vehicle thefts, 230 assaults, 72 robberies, 34 rapes and 4 homicides, the overall crime rate was 89% higher 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 Rhode Island

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	East Providence	47,442	66	838	905
2	Tiverton	7,996	68	856	923
3	Westerly	17,842	68	887	955
4	Cranston	81,252	119	1,156	1,275
5	Warwick	81,043	76	1,407	1,483
6	Central Falls	19,437	403	1,191	1,594
7	Newport	24,697	228	1,574	1,801
8	Woonsocket	41,616	450	1,787	2,236
9	Pawtucket	71,821	287	2,253	2,540
10	Providence	179,472	340	2,531	2,872

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.