Being that Mississippi is filled with so many small, close-knit towns, we automatically assume that every city in the state is just as safe as the next; however, with the help of Safewise we’ve put together a list of the safest cities in Mississippi. The following information is based on FBI Crime Report Data, which takes into consideration both violent and property crimes, of Mississippi cities with a population of 2,000 or above. So, read on for the safest towns in Mississippi.

10. Louisville
"Louisville mississippi" by Kaldari - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons
With the town motto being "step into the good life," how could Louisville not be a great place to live? The charming Winston County town features a booming historic downtown area that is popular among locals and visitors alike. Best of all, Louisville boasts a strong sense of community. After the town was devastated by a tornado in 2014, residents stuck together and assisted in any way they could with the rebuilding process, and even formed a disaster relief fund.

Address: Louisville, MS, 39339
9. Carthage
Jimmy Emerson DVM/Flickr
Located in Leake County, Carthage was established in 1834. The town boasts a friendly community and hometown atmosphere all while encouraging economic development, resulting in a great retail scene. While the town may be known for its natural beauty and historic buildings, it also features several lovely parks that are perfect for everything from sports to leisurely strolls.

Address: Carthage, MS, 39051
8. Florence
florencems.com
One of the best places to live in Mississippi, Florence is the type of small town you thought only existed in movies. In addition to the town’s rich history, Florence boasts a number of community events such as Florence Day, National Night Out, and a Back 2 School Jam as well as a number of holiday-themed events including an Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas parade – just to name a few. And when it comes to safety, the town isn’t lacking. In 2012, Florence experienced no robberies, motor vehicle thefts, or arson.

Address: Florence, MS, 39073
7. Oxford
damian entwistle/Flickr
From thriving music and literary scenes to being the home of Ole Miss, the northern Mississippi town has garnered quite the reputation. "USA Today" even recognized Oxford, naming it one of the top six college towns in the entire country! And now, Oxford can add something else to its list of accolades – a great safety record. In 2012, the town had no reported cases of arson as well as no murders. So many visitors to Oxford turn into lifelong residents, and it’s easy to see why.

Address: Oxford, MS, 38655
6. Brandon
City of Brandon Government/Facebook
The fact that this Rankin County city has grown substantially over the past decade and is still one of the safest in the state speaks volumes. From helping small businesses flourish via incentive programs to creating a city-wide health initiative encouraging residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle, Brandon truly encompasses small town charm even though it is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Address: Brandon, MS, 39042

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5. Winona
Jimmy Smith/Flickr
Nicknamed "the crossroads of north Mississippi" due to its close proximity to both Jackson and Memphis, Winona has recently received another title - the state’s fifth safest city. Winona has definitely earned its slot on this list due to the fact that the small town experienced no rapes, robberies, or murders in 2012. Aside from feeling secure, there are plenty of other reasons for residents to love the town. Winona encourages an active lifestyle among its youth, is just a short drive from the Delta Blues Museum, and is home to the Montgomery County Performing Arts Center, which is known for putting on plays that tell stories of the county’s past.

Address: Winona, MS, 38967
4. Madison
Natalie Maynor/Flickr
At one time Madison was simply a small farming community but not anymore. As of today, the town is home to more than 25,000 residents and encourages continued growth by providing abundant resources for new business owners. Even with its considerable growth and close proximity to Jackson, Madison still maintains a small town vibe which is evident in the city’s crime statistics – no reports of murder or arson in 2012. In addition to being loved by its residents, the town has been nationally recognized by a number of publications such as "Family Circle," "Southern Living Magazine," and "U.S. News."

Address: Madison, MS, 39110
3. Belzoni
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Known as the Catfish Capital of the World, Belzoni is most commonly associated with all things catfish including the World Catfish Festival which attracts more than 10,000 attendees to the small town annually. But catfish isn’t the only thing Belzoni can brag about. The town has an extremely low cost of living, numerous incentives for entrepreneurs, a wonderful education system, and, of course, it is the third safest city in the state.

Address: Belzoni, MS, 39038
2. Petal
www.cityofpetal.com
Nicknamed "the friendly city," it should come as no surprise that Petal is one of the safest places to live in Mississippi. Part of the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Area, Petal offers access to the amenities of a bigger city all while maintaining its small town appeal. With no rapes or murders reported in 2012, the city’s residents can rest assured that they are safe in their home town. Another amazing aspect of the city is its dedication to its youth. From superb educational programs to getting teens involved in charitable organizations, Petal is continually investing in its future.

Address: Petal, MS, 39465
1. Newton
Jimmy Emerson DVM/Flickr
It’s hard to believe that this quaint little town is located a mere hour from the hustle and bustle of Jackson. Located in the county of the same moniker, Newton has definitely earned its title as the safest city in the state. In 2012, the town experienced no violent crimes whatsoever. Additionally, there were no reports of arson or larceny during that year either! Aside from being the safest town in the state, Newton is known for its fabulous farmer's market, numerous community-wide events, plethora of social clubs, and being the home of the Bienville National Forest.

Address: Newton, MS, 39345

Small town values, community togetherness, and a sense of security – does it get any better than the safest cities in Mississippi?

Have you been to any of towns mentioned above? Do you agree that they’re the safest places to live in Mississippi? And do you think that makes them the best places to live in Mississippi?

 

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More to Explore

Safest Places In Mississippi

Daniella DiRienzo | June 13, 2019

Which cities and towns in Mississippi have the lowest crime rate?

Overall, Mississippi is a pretty safe place to live. In fact, the Magnolia State has a much lower violent crime rate than the national average. To put that into perspective, it has 1.90 incidents per 1,000 people versus 4.49 nationwide. Though the state is generally a safe place, the top five cities and towns with the lowest crime rates are: Madison, Brandon, Horn Lake, Southaven, and Oxford.

Is Jackson in Mississippi a safe place to live?

As the capital, Jackson is one of Mississippi’s most popular cities; however, it’s also one of the most dangerous. One study in particular actually ranked Jackson the 10th least-safe city in the entire country! And with a violent crime rate that’s 85% higher than the national average and a property crime rate that’s 87% higher than the national average, it’s easy to see why the city ranked the way it did. It’s also important to remember that Jackson is the most populated city in Mississippi, so a higher crime rate is not abnormal.

What are some of the most dangerous places to live in Mississippi?

Unfortunately, Jackson isn’t the only dangerous city in Mississippi. According to the website Road Snacks, the 10 most dangerous places to live in Mississippi are: McComb (most dangerous on the list), Greenwood, Vicksburg, Jackson, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Laurel, Gulfport, Holly Springs, and Meridian (least dangerous on the list). The study analyzed Mississippi cities with populations of 5,000 or more. Then, the site looked over the most recent FBI data for each city. McComb nabbed the number one spot because, according to the site, “it's the third most violent city in the state, and it’s only been getting worse.” It’s important to remember, though, that despite the statistics, the state as a whole is relatively safe.

 

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