Counties with the Lowest Total Crime Rates

For those seeking the safest possible communities, total crime rate is the most comprehensive metric. It captures both violent and property crime, giving a complete picture of public safety. We identified the 25 counties with the lowest total crime rates in America.

These counties are not just safe — they are remarkably safe. Many report fewer than 50 total crimes per 100,000 residents annually, a fraction of the national average of over 2,000.

Counties with the Lowest Total Crime Rates

Hale County, AL has the lowest total crime rate in America at 0 per 100,000 residents. Georgia (11 counties), Florida (6 counties), Alaska (3 counties), Colorado (2 counties), Illinois (2 counties) dominate this list.

The Geography of Near-Zero Crime

The lowest-crime counties share a clear geographic pattern. They are overwhelmingly rural, located in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Mountain West. These are places where residents know their neighbors, doors are often left unlocked, and the closest sheriff's deputy may be 30 minutes away — yet crime is virtually nonexistent.

The pattern is not just about geography. These counties also tend to have low poverty rates, high rates of homeownership, stable family structures, and strong civic and religious institutions. Crime thrives on anonymity and social disorganization — conditions that simply do not exist in these tight-knit communities.

Methodology

Total crime rate combines violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crime (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) per 100,000 residents from FBI UCR (2022 data year). Counties are ranked from lowest to highest total crime rate. Safety scores use percentile-rank methodology.