Best and Safest Cities in Utah for Peace of Mind

Utah is famous for its beautiful nature, friendly people, and low crime rate. If you are looking for peace of mind where you live, Utah has many safe havens throughout the state. In this article, we look at the safest cities in Utah using recent crime statistics. Violent crime, property crime, and other safety indicators are examined as key factors. The idea is to spotlight the safest city in Utah where people can feel safe to live, work, and raise a family.

Is Utah Safe?

Utah is generally a very safe state. Studies that rank crime rates across the United States consistently rank it as one of the top ten safest states. Low rates of violent crime, such as murder, rape, and robbery, are the reasons for Utah's high safety ratings. Utah also has fewer property crimes, such as burglary and auto theft. Utah's reputation for being safe is attributed to strong community ties, family values, and active neighborhood watch programs.

Top 10 Safest Cities in Utah

While Utah as a whole is safe, some of the safest cities to live in Utah stand out for their especially low crime rates and safe living conditions. Here are ten of the safest cities in Utah 2024:

1. Highland

Located in northern Utah County, Highland has very low rates of both violent and property crime. The city saw only 52 violent crimes at a rate of 122 per 100,000 residents. Property crime occurred at a rate of 645 per 100,000. Highland's small-town feel, affluent population, and active citizens group help maintain safe streets and neighborhoods.

2. Providence

Providence in Cache County reported just 21 violent crimes, giving it the lowest violent crime rate in the state at 61 per 100,000. Property crimes were also minimal at 616 per 100,000. Providence maintains an active police force and neighborhood watch to keep criminal activity low.

3. Santa Clara

This small city in Washington County had only nine violent crimes for a rate of 123 per 100,000. Property crime was also scarce at 697 per 100,000 residents. Santa Clara's remote location away from major cities contributes to its peaceful atmosphere.

4. Mapleton

Mapleton, located south of Provo, is the largest city on this top ten list. However, it still maintains a small-town vibe and low crime rates. Violent crime occurred at a rate of 165 per 100,000, and property crime occurred at 895 per 100,000. Mapleton has invested in community programs to reduce substance abuse and petty crimes.

5. Washington Terrace

This friendly community north of Ogden reported violent crime at just 172 per 100,000 and property crime at 1,005 per 100,000. Washington Terrace has active neighborhood watch programs and community-oriented policing. The city also maintains a strong sense of community identity and pride.

6. Ivins

Ivins is a rapidly growing city in Washington County but has kept crime rates low. Violent crime stood at 180 per 100,000 residents, while property crime was 618 per 100,000. Ivins has worked to add police staffing and engage citizens in community safety programs as its population has expanded.

7. North Logan

North Logan in Cache County maintains an exceptionally low violent crime rate of 52 per 100,000, along with property crime of 1,617 per 100,000. This city benefits from an affluent population and engaged community members who work to keep streets safe.

8. Hyde Park

This small, semi-rural city north of Logan witnessed violent crime at 107 per 100,000 and property crime at 1,313 per 100,000. Hyde Park has created neighborhood watch groups and makes use of social media to help residents stay alert to criminal activity.

9. Syracuse

Located between Ogden and Salt Lake City, Syracuse keeps crime rates low through community-oriented policing programs. The city saw 187 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 1,358 property crimes per 100,000. Syracuse also has highly-rated schools and family amenities.

10. Plain City

Rounding out the top ten is Plain City in Weber County. It reported 193 violent crimes per 100,000 and 1,508 property crimes per 100,000 last year. Plain City employs community programs aimed at fostering strong connections between residents and reducing crime opportunities.

Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah

While many Utah cities boast low crime rates, a few areas contend with higher levels of criminal activity. Factors like poverty, gang activity, and drug abuse contribute to crime in these cities. Here are five of the most dangerous cities in Utah based on recent statistics:

1. South Salt Lake

South Salt Lake in Salt Lake County has struggled with violent crime, reporting rates of 620 per 100,000. Property crime rates were also high at 4,593 per 100,000. Poverty and gang activity play roles in the city's crime situation. Police staffing increases have aimed to regain control of crime.

2. Ogden

As Utah's eighth-largest city, Ogden deals with typical urban crime issues. Its violent crime rate came in at 559 per 100,000, with property crime at 5,895 per 100,000 residents. Ogden has worked to reduce gang violence and burglaries through community policing.

3. West Valley City

Utah's second-largest city saw 511 violent crimes per 100,000 people last year. Property crime was also elevated at 4,707 per 100,000. Rapid population growth has challenged West Valley City to maintain sufficient law enforcement coverage. Efforts are ongoing to enhance crime prevention and drug abuse programs.

4. Logan

While Logan remains a relatively safe college town, it did report violent crime of 417 per 100,000 and property crime of 5,211 per 100,000. Some issues with poverty and drugs have impacted crime rates. Logan continues to add police officers and engage young people in community programs.

5. St. George

St. George contends with fast population growth and associated crimes. Violent offenses occurred at a rate of 413 per 100,000, and property crime was at 5,211 per 100,000. St. George has the challenge of covering a large area with police protection as the city expands.

Utah Crime Rate Ranking

To understand the crime rate in Utah, it is important to know how Utah's crime rates compare nationally, and it helps to examine rankings among all U.S. states. In the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report, the following is the Utah crime rate:

• Violent Crime Rate - Utah ranked #4 lowest nationwide, with only 236 offenses per 100,000 people.
• Murder Rate - Utah ranked #5 lowest in the U.S. with only 2.5 murders per 100,000 population.
• Robbery Rate - Utah experienced 55 robberies per 100,000, ranking #4 lowest among all states.
• Aggravated Assault Rate - With 168 aggravated assaults per 100,000, Utah ranked #3 lowest in the nation.
• Property Crime Rate - Utah came in at #11 lowest for property crime, with 2,552 such offenses per 100,000.
• Burglary Rate - Utah ranked #7 lowest in the U.S. for burglaries at 430 per 100,000 population.

Essential Tips for Staying Safe in Utah

While Utah's cities rank among the safest in the nation, it still pays to exercise reasonable precautions. Here are tips for staying safe during your Utah travels:

• Research crime rates and safety information for any areas you'll be visiting. Avoid high-crime locations when possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas. Always stick to well-lit streets.
• Keep doors locked at home, hotel rooms, and vehicles at all times. Never leave valuables visible inside parked cars.
• Consider installing security cameras at home to deter and document criminal activity. Outdoor lighting also helps to prevent crime.

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• Make sure children know how to contact emergency services and parents if trouble arises.
• Don't display cash or valuables in public. Only carry debit/credit cards and IDs needed for the day.

FAQs

What city is the safest in Utah?

Based on recent crime statistics, the city of Highland in Utah County has the lowest rates of both violent crime and property crime. Its small size, affluent population, and active community involvement help Highland maintain exceptionally safe streets and neighborhoods.

What is the best area in Utah to live?

The cities of the Wasatch Front region consistently rank as the best places to live in Utah. This includes the Salt Lake City metro area, Provo/Orem, Ogden/Layton, and St. George. These areas offer the most economic opportunities, amenities, community events, and access to outdoor recreation. Many Wasatch Front cities also boast low crime rates.

Which city in Utah had the highest crime rate?

The city of South Salt Lake in Salt Lake County contends with the highest violent crime rate in the state, at 620 offenses per 100,000 people. Property crime is also elevated. Poverty, gang activity, and housing challenges contribute to South Salt Lake's crime challenges. The city is actively working to add police staffing and improve social programs.

Conclusion

As of now, Utah remains one of the top ten safest states in the U.S. because of its low rates of violent crimes and property crimes. Highland, Providence, and Santa Clara are cities with especially high safety ratings. Salt Lake City and Provo, even Utah's largest metro areas, have kept their crime rates much lower than other American cities.

When you’re visiting or living in the Beehive State, staying alert and using common sense precautions will help keep you safe. Utah is a peaceful place to live or vacation, and it has natural wonders and friendly communities.