Located in the New England region of the United States, Rhode Island is home to just over 1 million residents. The smallest and second most densely populated U.S. state, it also has the longest name, which is officially the “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” The state is bordered to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and its largest city and capital is Providence. Rhode Island was the first of the original U.S. colonies, and its major industries include government, healthcare, and financial services. If you’d like to make The Ocean State your next home, here are the 20 safest cities in Rhode Island.
Related: Check out our Rhode Island 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 219 for violent crime and 2,174 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 East Greenwich
Located in Kent County, the town of East Greenwich is home to 13,100 residents. Also the county seat, this affluent community was founded in 1677 and is known for its waterfront and historic districts. East Greenwich is the safest place to live in Rhode Island, with a violent crime rate of 7.6, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 1.2%.
#2 Portsmouth
A town in Newport County, Portsmouth is home to 17,300 residents. The community encompasses 59.3 square miles, over half of which is water as much of the town lies on Aquidneck Island. Portsmouth is also home to a branch of Raytheon and the headquarters of U.S. Sailing. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate here is 28.9, and residents of Portsmouth have a 1.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 North Kingstown
Located in Washington County, the town of North Kingston is home to 35,300 residents. The community was founded in 1674, encompasses 58.3 square miles, and is the site of Casey Farm, one of the oldest operational farms in New England. The violent crime rate in North Kingston is 34.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.6%.
#4 Barrington
A town in Bristol County, Barrington is home to 16,300 residents. This coastal community is 7 miles southeast of Providence, covers 15.4 square miles, and is served by the Barrington Public School District. The violent crime rate here is 36.9, and residents of Barrington have a 1.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 Middletown
Located in Newport County, the town of Middletown is home to 16,100 residents. The community lies between Newport and Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island, and there are several beaches along its coastline. The violent crime rate in Middletown is 37.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.6%.
#6 Narragansett
A town in Washington County, Narragansett is home to 15,800 residents. The community lies along the shores of Narragansett Bay, is bordered by the Pettaquamscutt River, and is a popular summer tourist destination. The violent crime rate here is 38, and residents of Narragansett have a 1.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
#7 Scituate
Located in Providence County, the town of Scituate is home to 10,300 residents. First settled in 1710, the community lies next to the Scituate Reservoir, the largest freshwater system in the state, and is known for its popular annual Scituate Art Festival each fall. The violent crime rate in Scituate is 38.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just .08%.
#8 Burrillville
Another town in Providence County, Burrillville is home to 15,900 residents. The community covers over 57 square miles, is divided into seven villages, and is a part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the nation’s newest national park. The violent crime rate here is 50.2, and residents of Burrillville have a 1.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#9 Cumberland
Also located in Providence County, the town of Cumberland is home to 33,500 residents. The community was first settled in 1635, is known for its popular annual events such as Cumberlandfest and its 4th of July parade, and is the birthplace of the Cumberland Farms company. The violent crime rate in Cumberland is 53.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.6%.
#10 Smithfield
Another Providence County town, Smithfield has a current population of 21,400 residents. The community was first settled in 1636, is home to Bryant University, and includes the historic villages of Greenville, Georgiaville, Stillwater, Hanton City, Esmond, and Mountaindale. The violent crime rate here is 60.7, and residents of Smithfield have a 1.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#11 Bristol
Located in Bristol County, the town of Bristol is home to 22,900 residents. Also the county seat, the community was incorporated in 1746, shares a school system with nearby Warren, and operates in several major industries including tourism and boat building. The violent crime rate in Bristol is 65.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.1%.
#12 Coventry
A town in Kent County, Coventry is home to 35,000 residents. This historic community was first settled in the 1700’s, is comprised of 15 villages, and has more than a dozen properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The violent crime rate here is 71.7, and residents of Coventry have a 1.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#13 Westerly
Located in Washington County, the town of Westerly has a current population of 22,700 residents. This coastal community is divided into several distinct villages, has miles of popular beaches, as well as salt ponds and a fresh water lake. The violent crime rate in Westerly is 74.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.8%.
#14 North Smithfield
A town in Providence County, North Smithfield is home to 11,900 residents. Originally settled in 1666, the community is comprised of seven historic villages and has many sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The violent crime rate here is 83.6, and residents of North Smithfield have a 2.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
#15 South Kingstown
Located in Washington County, the town of South Kingstown is home to 30,600 residents. The community includes eleven villages and encompasses 79.8 square miles, making it the largest town by land mass in the state. The violent crime rate in South Kingstown is 85.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just .08%.
#16 Lincoln
A town in Providence County, Lincoln is home to 21,100 residents. This historic community was named after Abraham Lincoln, is a part of the lower Blackstone Valley, and is the site of the Lincoln Woods State Park as well as some large businesses including Amica Mutual Insurance and the Quality Assurance Review Center. The violent crime rate here is 85.4, and residents of Lincoln have a 2.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#17 Warwick
Located in Kent County, the city of Warwick is home to 82,600 residents. The community is just 12 miles south of downtown Providence, is comprised of three dozen villages, and is the site of several major businesses that include Citizens Bank and MetLife. The violent crime rate in Warwick is 124, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#18 Johnston
A town in Providence County, Johnston is home to 28,700 residents. The community was incorporated in 1759, is served by the Johnston Public School System, and is the site of the headquarters of FM Global, an insurance company. The violent crime rate here is 132.2, and residents of Johnston have a 1.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#19 Tiverton
Located in Newport County, the town of Tiverton is home to 15,700 residents. The community is located across the Sakonnet River from Aquidneck Island and sits along the shores of Narragansett Bay. The community also has two beaches and several historic properties. The violent crime rate in Tiverton is 139.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#20 East Providence
A town in Providence County, East Providence has a current population of 47,000 residents. The community covers 16.6 square miles, is comprised of three villages, and has fourteen miles of coastline along the Seekonk River. The violent crime rate here is 151.1, and residents of East Providence have a 1.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
