If you’re looking to settle down and expand your family, you’ve probably wondered if Idaho is a safe place to raise your children. As any parent knows, safety is a top priority when considering where to live. So, is Idaho a safe place to raise a family?
Having lived in Idaho my entire life, I’ve come to know the state for what it really is.
Is Idaho a Safe Place to Raise a Family?
Idaho is a safe place to raise a family. Violent and property crime rates are lower than the U.S. average, and property theft rates have decreased over the years. Also, Idaho experiences lower levels of gang activity, drug use, and alcohol-related incidents compared to other states in America.
Idaho residents also report a strong sense of community spirit among their neighbors and local businesses–making Idaho an attractive destination for many citizens looking for a safe place to reside.
Having grown up in Idaho’s largest city, Boise, I can attest that Idaho is much safer in comparison to other states. Simple things like walking down the street at night and going for an early morning jog are all relatively safe in most parts of Idaho.
Overall, Idaho is ideal for raising children without too much fear or worries about potential daily threats like violence or shootings due to criminal activity which often plagues many cities across the country today.
Is There a Lot of Crime In Idaho?
When looking at crime levels, Idaho compares favorably with other states around the country.
Idaho ranks very low in terms of overall crime according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. In 2019, the violent crime rate was 1.7 incidents per 1,000 residents—less than half of the national average (3.8). Also, property crime is lower than other states with only 18 incidents for every 1,000 people.
Idaho’s comparatively low crime rate likely stems from its relatively isolated geography and lack of major metropolitan areas or urban hubs in which crime can become concentrated (cough* California).
In addition to its sparse population, Idaho falls outside of the top 20 most populous states.
In fact, there are only three cities with a population higher than 100,000 people: Boise (the state capital), Nampa (the third largest city), and Meridian which falls in between the two cities on the map.
With fewer densely populated locales and plenty of rural landscapes between cities and towns, “crime ebbs away” across much of Central and Northern Idaho, according to an analysis by Business Insider magazine.
In comparison to neighboring states like Washington and California, Idaho remains the safer option to raise a family. That said, Idaho is going through an immense growth-spurt.
I often see California, Oregon, Utah, and Texas license plates covering the roads now. So the likelihood that crime will increase is high.
What City Has the Highest Crime Rate?
The city with the most crime in Idaho is Burley, with an average crime rate of 15.55 crimes per 1,000 people. This includes mainly property crimes which is higher than the national average, followed closely by violent crimes that fall just under the national average.
Besides Burley, other cities in Idaho with a higher crime rate include:
- Jerome
- Malad City
- Payette
- Pocatello
Payette had one of the highest violent crime rates with 373 incidents reported for every 100K residents as compared to Burley’s 274 incidents per same population base size.
These cities have higher crime rates likely due to their small population, plus there’s not much to do. Burley, Jerome, Payette, and Malad City are all desolate areas with little going on.
At least Payette is somewhat close to major cities like Caldwell and Nampa, but you still have to be willing to make the drive (about 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic).
Idaho Crime Rate vs Other States
When compared with other states, Idaho ranks 42th in the nation for violent crime and 44th for property crimes. Boise is the largest city in Idaho with a much higher concentration of people than other parts of the state, and even then, it has a far lower rate than similar cities in other states.
Idaho generally remains a safe place to raise a family and there are many reputable neighborhoods that are perfect for those wanting to relocate with their family or start fresh in a new state.
There have been some recent reports of drug-related activity throughout certain areas so it’s important to do your research before moving and make sure you know what areas may present more safety concerns.
Of course, this can be said for any state. In my experience, the largest cities (Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell) all remain fairly safe—especially when compared to other large cities I’ve visited across the country.
Overall, most places around Idaho are safe as both county and state officials remain proactive about mitigating criminal activity wherever possible.
Where Not to Live In Idaho
While Idaho is a fairly safe place to live, there are certain parts of the state you may want to avoid if you’re looking for the safest place to raise your family.
North Idaho is one place I wouldn’t live. It’s been known for numerous drug offenses and violent crimes for several years. In particular, Coeur d’Alene has seen its share of drug-related crimes and even made national news with its arrest of 31 white nationalists, allegedly in route to a riot.
Moreover, other parts of Idaho that have been thought to be potentially dangerous include Lewiston and Twin Falls in Southern Idaho, and Nampa and Caldwell in Central Idaho.
That said, these identifiers apply differently across the United States.
While they may be considered risky places overall compared with other states, local residents’ opinions on where you should or shouldn’t live will differ depending on their experience living within particular neighborhoods or cities within each state or region.
I’ve lived in Garden City (part of Boise’s metropolitan area), Nampa, and Caldwell and can attest to their safety.
Furthermore, I have family in Meridian, Payette, and Twin Falls that claim to enjoy where they live. Personally, I still wouldn’t live in Payette or Twin Falls though.
What Is the Safest City in Idaho?
The safest city in Idaho is Eagle, according to a report released by Safewise. Located near Boise, Eagle boasts a population of over 20,000 and a crime rate that’s 63% lower than the national average. The city has 24/7 police presence, a K-9 unit, and a neighborhood watch program.
Eagle also ranks high in quality of life and livability factors with its beautiful parks, an array of restaurants, and is home to one of the largest shopping centers in the state.
Websites such as AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout provide valuable insight into local communities through ratings of each city’s safety from crime indices and quality-of-life indicators.
Ultimately, which cities are determined “safest” depends on what criteria is being used. Homicides, burglaries or violent crime rates are all important factors to consider.
For example, the city of Meridian has been called one of the safest cities in Idaho due to its low violent crime rate, while Kootenai was deemed most secure based on its homicide rate that’s much lower than Idaho’s average.
Meanwhile, Boise has seen a decrease in overall crimes in recent years as reported through police statistics gathered online.
So, whether you’re looking for a peaceful small town or a vibrant city to call home, Idaho is an overall safe place to raise a family.