Some of the most popular travel destinations in Massachusetts are history & culture, its cities, charming towns & countryside, and Cambridge, famous for its learning institutions. However, with beauty and excitement, there are always high risks of accidents and other unpleasant occurrences. It is also evident that different regions in Massachusetts may experience varying crime rates depending on whether they are considered urban or rural, small towns or otherwise. If families hope to inquire about the best areas to live safely in the state, then small suburbs and rural areas are usually the best. I looked at information regarding violent crime, property crime, and other aspects of safety to rank the safest towns in Massachusetts. Read the article further to unveil towns that provide families with security and protection.
Defining Safety
To identify the Garden State’s safest havens, I have collected the latest FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics on violent and property crime rates of the towns with populations of over 5, 000 individuals. Violent crimes are those that involve an element of force, and these are murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. This category of crime involves theft and burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. I also incorporated fiscal safety in terms of the median household income and poverty rates according to the most recent census data as well as Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Indexes obtained from the National Complete Streets Coalition. By taking all these statistics into account, these tables helped to identify the stand-out safest small towns.
Massachusetts is one of the safest states in the country
1. Hopkinton
This town, which is situated in Middlesex County and 26 miles away from Boston, has received recognition as the safest small town in Massachusetts. Having a crime rate that is far below that of the state and the country for violent and property crimes, the residents of Hopkinton need not worry. The town had no recorded murders or arson attacks within the past few years and motor vehicle theft seems to be nonexistent. Also, there are very low poverty rates, streets are safe for people and ‘walkers’, and ‘bikers’, and median income is relatively high in this county. The Hopkinton State Park offers more than 500 acres of scenic land preserved for families to enjoy a walk with the feeling that they are secure.
2. Winchester
Boasting of a population of slightly over 20,000 residents in Middlesex County, this town is among the safest to reside in Massachusetts. Winchester has low overall crime, and the type of crimes that do occur, coupled with one of the highest median household incomes in the state. This is not an area of significant poverty with only 2 percent of the population rated as living below the federal poverty line. It also gets good scores on the livability indexes of pedestrians and cyclists as a result is ideal for raising an active family in this well-to-do neighborhood.
3. Westborough
Comparing the crime rate of small Massachusetts towns, Westborough has no murder or arson reports according to recent recording periods. Violent crime rates were at less than 1 incident per 1,000 residents, while property crime rates were less than 10 incidents per 1,000 residents, thus illustrating the town’s exemplary public safety. Median household income also goes over one hundred and five figures as poverty maintains a rate below 5%. It is a good community in Worcester County with a small-town feel, well-established public schools, and low crime rates for families.
4. East Longmeadow
Thus, although crime levels in this community are not at their absolute lowest, East Longmeadow boasts rather low rates of violent crime and property crimes. There have been no murders, or arsons happening here for the past few years while robbery and burglary risks are relatively low compared to the state or national averages. East Longmeadow has also held the record of being the safest town for pedestrians and cyclists out of all the small towns in Massachusetts.
5. Foxborough
Foxborough looks quite safe with very tiny violent and property crime rates, no murders and arson, very few robberies, and virtually no motor vehicle thefts in recent years. The median disposable income per household is well over $100k in this haven, and the poverty rate is less than 5% in this area. Foxborough is also in a better position based on Complete Streets safety evaluations carried out for pedestrian mortality rate as it records a very low incidence of pedestrian deaths. One of the most sought-after aspects of Foxborough is its small-town feel, remarkable community, and high safety standards, which make it ideal for families with children.
Safety First: How to Ensure It in Your Massachusetts Town
Housing is a very fundamental need that families consider while looking for a place of residence because safety is always an important concern. Therefore, no community can be considered as being crime-free, but some of the safest towns in Massachusetts are small suburban towns like Hopkinton, Winchester, Westborough, East Longmeadow, and Foxborough. The occurrence of low crime rates, high-income, people, and low poverty levels are some of the benefits that give added security. Moreover, high safety scores for pedestrians and cyclists enable children to move around without fear for their lives. So, if safety is one of the most essential things that you are looking for while choosing a new place to live, then don’t lose sight of these safest small towns in Massachusetts.
