Safest Cities in Indiana | Ultimate List of 2024

Indiana is the Crossroads of America and has nearly 6.8 million residents. While some parts of Indiana might have higher than average crime rates, overall, the state is not one of the safest in the U.S. Are you looking to find the safest places to live in Indiana?

Read this article to see the top 10 safest cities in Indiana according to recent crime data. We’ll also give you a rundown on crime and safety in Indiana and tips for making your home as secure as possible wherever you live in the safest city in Indiana.

Indiana Safety Overview

Indiana, in general, is a safe state. Indiana has a violent crime rate that is nearly 20 percent below the national average and a property crime rate that is about 15 percent below the national rate. However, Indiana crime rates can be wildly different from city to city and neighborhood to neighborhood. On the whole, cities in northern Indiana have lower crime rates than cities in the central and southern areas of the state.

Gary, located in northwest Indiana, is an outlier with crime rates well above state and national averages. Other safest cities to live in Indiana with high crime rates include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville. Rural areas and smaller towns throughout the state tend to have lower crime rates.

Is Indianapolis Safe?

Indianapolis, or Indy, is the capital and most populous city in Indiana, with about 880,000 residents. Unfortunately, Indianapolis does see higher than average crime rates compared to other major U.S. cities. The violent crime rate in Indianapolis is about 15% higher than the national average. However, crime is not evenly distributed throughout the city. The downtown area and neighborhoods northeast of downtown tend to have higher crime rates. Areas like Carmel, Fishers, and Greenwood have significantly lower crime rates than the city as a whole.

Top 10 Safest Cities in Indiana

The following are the safest towns in Indiana that you should know before settling in:

1. Zionsville

Zionsville is located about 15 miles northwest of Indianapolis in Boone County. With about 27,000 residents, Zionsville has maintained remarkably low crime rates. The violent crime rate is less than 1 per 1,000 residents, making Zionsville the safest city in Indiana. Zionsville provides easy access to Indianapolis while maintaining a charming small-town vibe.

2. Carmel

With almost 100,000 residents, Carmel is one of the largest and safest cities in Indiana. Located just north of Indianapolis in Hamilton County, Carmel has the second-lowest violent crime rate in the state. Carmel has excellent schools, parks, entertainment, and dining options. The Monon Trail also runs through Carmel, providing pedestrian and bike access through the city.

3. Fishers

Bordering Carmel and located northeast of Indianapolis, Fishers has about 90,000 residents. Fishers has the third lowest violent crime rate in Indiana, making it one of the safest places in the state. Fishers has seen rapid growth over the past couple of decades and has developed into a vibrant suburb with lots of new development.

4. West Lafayette

Home to Purdue University, West Lafayette has a population of around 50,000. West Lafayette is located in Tippecanoe County near the western border of Indiana. Thanks to the large student population, West Lafayette maintains an energetic and youthful vibe. The violent crime rate is less than 1 per 1,000 residents.

5. Munster

Munster is a town in northwest Indiana with about 23,000 residents. Located near the Illinois border, Munster is under 30 miles from Chicago. Munster has the 5th lowest violent crime rate in Indiana. Munster provides suburban living with quick access to Chicago.

6. Highland

Highland is located in northwest Indiana along the southern tip of Lake Michigan. With around 23,000 residents, Highland has the sixth-lowest violent crime rate in the state. Highland provides convenient access to Chicago and a range of outdoor recreation opportunities.

7. Dyer

Dyer is another northwest Indiana town that provides easy access to Chicago. With about 16,000 residents, Dyer has the seventh-lowest violent crime rate in Indiana. Dyer has highly-rated schools and several public parks.

8. Crown Point

Crown Point is the county seat of Lake County, which is located in northwest Indiana. With around 29,000 residents, Crown Point has the eighth-lowest violent crime rate in the state. Crown Point provides a historic small-town atmosphere just a short drive from Chicago.

9. Brownsburg

Located just west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County, Brownsburg has around 25,000 residents. Brownsburg has the ninth-lowest violent crime rate in Indiana. The town has seen steady growth and development over the past couple of decades.

10. Avon

With about 15,000 residents, Avon is located just west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County. Avon has the tenth-lowest violent crime rate in Indiana, making it one of the safest places to live near Indianapolis. The town has highly-rated schools, parks, and easy access to amenities in Indianapolis.

How We Determine the Safety of Cities in Indiana

To determine the safest cities in Indiana, we looked at the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Specifically, we analyzed violent crime rates and property crime rates in cities across Indiana. Violent crime includes offenses like murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime includes burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Other factors that contribute to how safe a city feels include:

• Police response times
• Community involvement and neighborhood watch programs
• Prevalence of crime-fighting technology like security cameras and street lighting
• City planning and environmental design

By looking at the hard data around crime rates plus these other qualitative factors, we can get a sense of which cities provide the safest environments for residents.

How to Make a Safe Home in Indiana

No matter where you live in Indiana, there are steps you can take to improve safety and security for your family and home:

• Install an alarm system - Monitored alarm systems can deter burglars and alert authorities in the event of a break-in.
• Use security cameras - Video surveillance around the exterior of your home can help identify intruders and also serve as a deterrent.
• Keep yards well-lit - Motion sensor lights and improved lighting eliminate areas where criminals can hide.
• Get a guard dog - Many burglars will avoid homes with dogs to avoid being bitten or drawing attention.
• Lock all doors and windows - Replacing old locks and reinforcing entry points denies access by intruders.
• Collaborate with neighbors - Knowing your neighbors and looking out for each other helps prevent crime. Consider a neighborhood watch.
• Secure valuables - Keeping valuables out of sight and investing in a safe helps protect your possessions.
• Practice smart habits - Always lock your car, don't leave keys outside, and be aware of your surroundings when out and about.

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Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Indiana

While Indiana does have some very safe cities, these places tend to have the highest violent and property crime rates in the state:

• Gary
• Indianapolis
• Fort Wayne
• Evansville
• South Bend
• Hammond
• Bloomington
• Muncie
• Terre Haute
• Michigan City

FAQs

What town in Indiana has the lowest crime rate?

Based on the most recent FBI crime data, Zionsville has the lowest violent crime rate in the state of Indiana. Located outside Indianapolis, Zionsville saw only 0.35 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

What is the best area to live in Indiana?

Some of the best places to live in Indiana based on crime rates, schools, amenities, and quality of life include Carmel, Fishers, West Lafayette, Zionsville, Munster, Crown Point, and Avon. These cities offer safe neighborhoods, great schools, amenities, and proximity to major cities like Indianapolis or Chicago.

What is the safest city near Indianapolis?

Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg, and Avon are generally considered the safest cities within commuting distance of Indianapolis. All of these places have much lower violent and property crime rates compared to Indianapolis.

Conclusion

There are no places that are totally crime-free, but Indiana has many great cities that are safe places to live. For the most part, the lowest risks of crime will be found in cities in northern and central Indiana. No matter where you live, taking sensible home security precautions is also advised.

But of course, safety isn’t just about crime rates; quality of life also includes things like community engagement, schools, economy, and amenities. Hopefully, this look at the safest cities in Indiana can be your starting point in your search for the perfect place to call home. If you have any other questions, let us know!