2nd Safest City In America Can Be Found In Howard County: Report

COLUMBIA, MD — Howard County's largest community, Columbia, has been named the second safest city in America for 2023. The town was named the No. 1 safest city in America in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, according to reports released by WalletHub.

This summer, Columbia also landed in the top 15 nationally on two lists for best place to live and best place to raise a family, according to WalletHub. In a comparison of more than 180 of the largest cities in the U.S. across 30 key indicators of happiness, Columbia emerged as the seventh happiest city in America in 2023, according to another WalletHub study.

Columbia also landed in second place overall in WalletHub's ranking of more than 180 cities as 2023’s Best Places to Find a Job. Columbia previously ranked 36th in 2020 for happiest cities in America, then jumped to 8th in 2021 per a WalletHub survey.

WalletHub released its report on 2023's Safest Cities in America, which revealed the following data:

Safety in Columbia (1=Safest, 91=Avg.):

• Overall rank for Columbia: 2nd
• 41st – % of Households with Emergency Savings
• 17th – % of Uninsured Population
• 63rd – Natural-Disaster Risk Level
• 12th – Active Firefighters per Capita
• 78th – Foreclosure Rate

In order to determine where Americans can feel most protected against life’s hazards, including nonphysical forms of danger, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 41 key metrics. The data ranges from traffic fatalities per capita and assaults per capita to the unemployment rate and the percentage of the population that is uninsured.

According to the survey, the top safest cities in America are Nashua, New Hampshire; Columbia, Maryland; South Burlington, Vermont; Gilbert, Arizona; and Warwick, Rhode Island.

The least safest cities are Detroit, Michigan; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; San Bernardino, California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri.

"We continue to prioritize public safety and keeping our community safe. Through comprehensive outreach and investments in public safety, as well as transparency and partnerships, we can continue to ensure Howard County is a safe place for all. This accolade is a testament to the work put forth day in and day out by our police officers, firefighters and paramedics, social workers, community advocates, public officials, and engaged residents. I thank everyone who also prioritizes our neighbors feeling safe to make sure all who live, work and play here are afforded the best quality of life," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Related:

• Columbia Ranks Among Top 10 Happiest Cities In America: Survey
• HoCo Town Ranks 2nd In Nation For Best Place To Find A Job
• 7th Happiest City In U.S. Happens To Be In Howard Co. Survey Shows
• Maryland Town Named Safest City In U.S.: New Study
• Columbia Ranks In Top 15 U.S. Cities For Best Place To Live
• Columbia Named Safest City In America
• Columbia Named Safest City In America For 2019
• Columbia Is Safest City In America For 2018: WalletHub