Nov. 12, 2004 -- Looking for the safest U.S. cities for your next home or va
Nov. 12, 2004 -- Looking for the safest U.S. cities for your next home or vacation? You may want to consider Minneapolis, Minn., and Seattle, according to a new Gallup poll.
Those cities ranked first and second, respectively, in the poll on perceived safety in 14 big American cities. The results don't necessarily reflect crime statistics; instead, they focus on public perception about each city.
Washington, D.C.?and Detroit didn't fare as well. They were at the bottom of the list.
More than 1,000 U.S. adults participated in the October telephone poll, rating the 14 largest cities as "safe" or "unsafe." Here's how the cities ranked in perceived safety, in order from most safe to least safe:
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- Seattle
- Dallas
- Boston
- Houston
- San Francisco
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- New York
- Miami
- Los Angeles
- Washington, D.C.?
- Detroit
Minneapolis, Minn., was called "safe" by 78% of respondents. The city has ranked high in past Gallup polls; since 1993, at least 70% of Americans have called Minneapolis "safe," says Gallup.
In contrast, only 33% of this year's poll-takers called Detroit "safe."
Three cities -- Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.,?and Detroit -- had declines in their perceived safety this year. However, all 14 cities rank higher than they did in 1990, says Gallup, noting a substantial drop in the nation's crime rate since then.
