Mississippi has been known to be among the states with higher levels of crime compared to other states in the United States of America. Still, there are several towns and cities in the Magnolia State that have low crime rates and high quality of life indices, making it easy for anyone who wants to live in a safe and peaceful society to consider the state for residency. Based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics, these are some of the safest places to live in Mississippi:
Madison
Madison, which is near Jackson, the state capital, ranks first when talking about safety in Mississippi. With crime rates well below even the state average for both violent and property offenses, this energetic suburb is While the general Wisconsin rate is 32.7 per 1,000 people, the violent crime rate is 0.45 per 1,000 people in Madison as compared to 2.1 per 1,000 people throughout Wisconsin. Property crime remains very low in Madison at 15.4 per 1,000 inhabitants. Madison is a great area to live for families as well as working people because of its exceptional educational system, pleasant communities, plenty of parks and gardens, closeness to the employment market, and other important amenities in Jackson. Moreover, the median household income here is much lower than in the rest of Mississippi, at around $53,000, which reflects the importance placed on living in one of the safest communities in Mississippi, with a typical house value of roughly $236,000.
Hernando
Hernando, situated in the same state of Mississippi and to the south of Memphis, Tennessee is the second most secure city. In these places, one can experience small-town life with the added convenience of easy access to the larger cities. The violent and property crime rate is comparatively quite low. The overall violent crime cleared in 2018 was only 14 in total. The two most important sectors in Hernando are the education and healthcare industries. The city is situated in DeSoto County which is one of the most arguably the fastest-growing regions in the entire Mississippi. Economically successful schools, affordable housing, trails for outdoor activities, and the organization of local events remain appealing to more residents. The general cost of living is also comparatively lower than in other regions of the state and perhaps in the entire country.
Oxford
With the presence of a major University of Mississippi, Oxford has evolved to be an energetic and lively college town. They enjoy a low crime index for a city that has a population of close to 29000 residents. Before dismissing the event as an isolated one, it is important to note that Oxford reported just 51 violent crimes in the whole of 2018, which is one of the lowest figures in the entire state. Astonishingly, the overall violent crime rate is only 1.74 incidents per 1,000 people. There is no lack of cultural activities related to the University of Mississippi and the famous Oxford Square providing much excitement to the lifestyle. The school system is ranked as well and is considered to be one of the best in the world. Neighborhood needs are available although there is stiff competition in the rental sector with a median house price of slightly over $232,000. When you decide to own a house here you are more than just an investor, you are a part of a community that is invested in all things Ole Miss.
Petal
Located south of Hattiesburg, and within commuting distance, we have Petal, a city. Only 10009 people love living in Petal mostly because they face trivial crime levels, have affordable living costs, and there are many parks and recreation services. Analyzing the violent crime rate, it was found to be 1.01 incidents per 1000 people in Petal for the 2018 reports. The Petal Area has many benefits such as clean residential areas, appreciated schools, children’s sports sections, and activities supported by the local Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. The median household income is also fairly low at $43,694 and the median home value is not expensive either at $157,500. Petal offers safety, leisure, and convenience to its customers at an affordable cost which is quite reasonable in the context of Mississippi.
Starkville
The overwhelming presence of Mississippi State University in this town, as in Oxford provides Starkville with the same vitality and liveliness. Starkville is the home of the Mississippi State University and as mentioned earlier MSU does record higher overall crime rates. But, somehow when comparing the rates per capita, one will find that Starkville is still among the safest places to live in the state. Violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents are only about half the state average. Starkville and Oktibbeha County have been vilified for their safety standards by ranking and data analysis websites such as Safewise and Niche. The option to eat, shop, appreciate arts, and have fun while linked to the campus of MSU contributes to the appeal of Starkville. This does make housing to be scarce and competitive due to high demand from students and staff. The median home value is typical of a mid-range neighborhood, at about $195,000.
Conclusion
The five places of Mississippi – Madison, Hernando, Oxford, Petal, and Starkville – which have been discussed in this paper demonstrate how these five towns and cities have incorporated optimal security about state crime statistics besides providing adequate facilities for work, recreation, and family life. They have well-developed education systems, crime levels are low every year, and numerous jobs exist due to increasing industries and businesses, in addition, many lifestyle choices reflect the diverse culture. Anybody thinking about moving to Mississippi to get the combination of calmness, cheap living, and opportunities would be wise to begin the search in one of the safest locations mentioned above.
