Rhode Island Crime & Safety
Crime rates and safety scores for all 5 counties.
Avg Violent Crime Rate
116.0
per 100K
Avg Property Crime Rate
930.0
per 100K
Avg Safety Score
56/100
State Overview
Crime & Safety in Rhode Island
National Context
Rhode Island Ranks Among the Nation's Safest States
Rhode Island maintains a total crime rate of 1,046.3 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This low frequency places the Ocean State deep within the safest tier of states nationwide. Residents enjoy a security profile that significantly outperforms broader American trends.
Violent vs. Property Crime
Property Offenses Drive the Majority of Incidents
Property crime accounts for 929.9 incidents per 100,000 people, far outpacing the violent crime rate of just 116.4. While property concerns dominate the local landscape, the violent crime rate remains nearly 70% lower than the national benchmark of 369.8. This data suggests that most public safety issues in the state involve non-violent theft or vandalism.
Safest Counties
Coastal Communities Lead the State in Safety
Bristol County is the state’s safest region with a remarkably low total crime rate of 586.3 per 100,000 residents. Washington County follows closely at 634.6, while Newport County rounds out the top three at 996.0. These coastal areas offer some of the most secure living environments in the entire New England region.
Crime Hotspots
Monitoring Activity in Higher-Density Counties
Providence County records the state's highest total crime rate at 1,809.9 per 100,000, largely due to its urban density and status as an economic hub. Kent County also sees higher-than-average volume at 1,204.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. Even these relatively high-activity areas remain well below the national average of 2,385.5.
The Takeaway
A Secure Outlook for the Ocean State
With 100% of counties reporting, the data confirms Rhode Island is an exceptionally safe place to live and work. Prospective movers can feel confident in a state where even the busiest urban areas rarely reach national crime benchmarks. The overall profile suggests a stable environment focused primarily on managing low-level property concerns.
Safest Counties
All Rhode Island Counties
| County | Safety Score |
|---|---|
| Bristol County | 76/100 |
| Washington County | 73/100 |
| Newport County | 57/100 |
| Kent County | 46/100 |
| Providence County | 26/100 |
Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.
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Data Sources
Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.