HIALEAH, Fla. - Hialeah is the second safest city in Florida and 53rd safest in the United States, according to a recent study released by WalletHub.
“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like the crime rate, auto fatality rate or risk of natural disasters. The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said.
According to the study, Hialeah ranked 11th in home, community, and safety, 116th in natural disaster risk, and 174th for financial safety for a total score of 62.63.
"Financial safety includes things like minimizing the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness," Lupo added.
To determine their rankings, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 cities across 41 key indicators of safety. The data points included traffic fatalities and assaults per capita, the unemployment rate, and the percentage of the population that is uninsured.
Hialeah is located about 13 miles northwest of Miami in Miami-Dade County. The city also has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country at nearly 95%.
"Congratulations to @MayorBovo, the @PoliceHialeah, and all @cityofhialeah first responders on an incredible achievement—Hialeah is ranked the 2nd safest city in Florida! I'm honored to represent this amazing community," Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said.
The only Florida city ranked ahead of Hialeah was Port St. Lucie in 32nd place. Located in St. Lucie County, the city ranked 25th in home community and safety, 56th in natural disaster risk, and 132nd for financial safety for a total score of 65.20.
Across the country, South Burlington, Vermont was deemed the safest city in the United States. The city ranked ninth in home and community safety, sixth in natural disaster risk, and first in financial safety.
The rest of the top 5 included Casper, Wyoming; Warwick, Rhode Island; Burlington, Vermont; and Boise, Idaho.
On the flip side, Memphis, Tennessee was ranked as the most dangerous city in the country. The city placed 181st in financial safety, 180th in home and community safety, and 101st in natural disaster risk for a total score of 34.81.
The rest of the bottom five included Detroit, Michigan; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and New Orleans, Louisana.
