Maine is the Second Safest State in America

In the most recent statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the number of violent crimes dropped across the United States by 4.4% in 2013 compared to the year before. Also, in the last decade, the number of violent crimes declined by nearly 15%.

John Roman, a senior fellow at public policy research organization The Urban Institute told 24/7 Wall St., “A 4.4% reduction in violent crime is astonishing. If you saw a similar increase in GDP, or a similar decrease in unemployment, it would be huge national news.”

Maine actually was named the second safest state with violent crimes per 100,000 at 121.6. Total murders in 2013 was 24 (8th lowest) and the poverty rate was 14.0% (20th lowest) with the percentage of adults with high school diploma at 91.8% (5th highest.)

According to 24/7 Wall St.:

There were just 69 incidents per 100,000 residents of aggravated assault reported last year in Maine, the lowest rate reviewed. This was despite incidents increasing 12.9% in 2013 from 2012, the largest increase in the nation. In fact, incidents of aggravated assaults declined across the nation. Mainers, who are perhaps more dependent on their vehicles because they live in one of the nation’s most rural areas, are also fortunate to have one of the country’s lowest motor vehicle theft rates. There were fewer than 69 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents reported last year, second only to Vermont.