Located in the northwestern region of the United States, Idaho is home to 1.6 million residents. The state is the 14th largest and 7th least densely populated U.S. state, with Boise being both its capital and largest city. The state shares a 45-mile international border with Canada and has a diverse landscape of mountains, farmland, and many rivers. Every known type of gemstone has also been found within its borders. The state has a strong agriculture industry, producing more than a third of the country’s supply of potatoes, but also participates in lumber, food processing, and technology. If you’d like to settle in the Gem State, here are the 5 safest cities in Idaho.
Related: Check out our Idaho Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 212 for violent crime and 1,855 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 Rexburg
Located in Madison County, the city of Rexburg has a current population of 25,400 residents. Also the county seat, the community was incorporated in 1883, is close to the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and is home to Brigham Young University – Idaho. Rexburg is the safest place to live in Idaho, with a violent crime rate of 34.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just .08%.
#2 Meridian
A city in Ada County, Meridian is home to 85,000 residents. Now the state’s third largest city, the community sits between the Boise and Snake rivers and major employers here include Blue Cross of Idaho and Scentsy. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 119.1, and residents of Meridian have a 1.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 Moscow
Located in Latah County, the city of Moscow is home to 23,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community is in the northern part of the state and is the site of two colleges, the University of Idaho and New Saint Andrews College. The violent crime rate in Moscow is 132, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.7%.
#4 Lewiston
A city in Nez Pierce County, Lewiston has a current population of 31,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers, is home to Lewis-Clark State College, and its Port of Lewiston is known as the farthest inland seaport in the Western United States. The violent crime rate here is 170.1, and residents of Lewiston have a 3.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 Post Falls
Located in Kootenai County, the city of Post Falls is home to 27,500 residents. The community sits along the banks of the Spokane River, is just 20 miles east of Spokane, Washington, and has several major employers that include Ground Force and the Post Falls School District. The violent crime rate in Post Falls is 183.8, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 3.4%.
