These adjusted measurements were then added together with the weights mentioned above to get a score of 100. Georgetown also provides convenient access to the scenic rivers and lakes of the Texas Hill Country. Nicknames: Mule Town and Dimple of the Universe, Columbia natives Susan and Bryson Leach hadn't expected to move back to their hometown, but when they decided to buy a house and open their homewares shop Needle & Grain and kids boutique Little Neighbors, "we realized Columbia was everything we wanted," says Bryson. The United States is full of beautiful small towns. It's one of the largest of the islands, and one of the most beautiful and quintessentially Southern. - Median home value: $554,100 (100% own) The town is also home to the long-running annual Fiesta, a celebration of West Michigan's Latino culture and community. "But there have been more and more young families moving here to live full time, too," says Margaret Shutze, who moved with her own family in 2019 to create Flat Mountain Farm, a workshop and event space. Interestingly, for the second year in a row, the Northeast had the most safe small towns. SmartAssets services are limited to referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. Highlands, North Carolina, has long been a favorite getaway for Southern city dwellers and antique hunters. ", - Population: 3,974 (18% age 55-64 and 52% age 65+) New Hanover Township, New Jersey 8. See the rest of the safest small towns in America. Debt and waiting until a financial situation improves are top justifications financial advisors hear. - Median home value: $221,600 (67% own) The Isle of Palms is one of the South Carolina Lowcountry barrier islands, with six miles of sugary beaches, wildlife, resorts, spas, golf, and restaurants. As Mayor Johnny Magee says, "You're here, you're family.". Home to early pioneer families, Windy Hills has a 3.5-mile paved loop for walking enthusiasts and offers community events throughout the year. 10 Best Small Towns to Retire in the U.S. - Travel + Leisure Folks who get the blues from high taxes and cold weather can find plenty of tax-friendly, warmer settings to establish new roots. When it comes to the things that impact everyday lifelike financial well-being and educational opportunitieshow do the small towns that report the fewest crimes stack up against the countrys major metro areas? The town is surrounded by Nantahala National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You may also like: 50 Best Value Public Colleges in America, Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, great weather and bountiful outdoor activities, great weather, pristine setting, and wealth of outdoor activities, Delaware is a great place to retire in general, six miles of sugary beaches, wildlife, resorts, spas, golf, and restaurants, resort vacation lifestyle and country club living, 46 Best Lake Towns to Call Home in America, spans the island bearing its name and parts of the coastal mainland, The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. - Median rent: $1,450 (11% rent). SafeWisea safety and home security sitejust released a timely report on The 100 Safest Small Towns in America for 2021. The report also looked at the 100 most dangerous small towns in the United States. The island has a higher-than-average cost of livingunderstandable what with the island's great weather, pristine setting, and wealth of outdoor activities. - Median rent: $1,254 (41% rent). - Median household income: $52,196 It might surprise you to learn that most Americans live in small towns. The low-key beach town has two state parks, Stump Pass Beach State Park and Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. - Median household income: $85,200 ", - Population: 3,327 (17% age 55-64 and 27% age 65+) The percentage of residents living below the poverty line ranges from 4% to 22%. It's easy to make the case for Honesdale's charm. Note: There was a five-way tie for number one, listed in alphabetical order. - Median home value: $747,000 (83% own) Eau Claire, Wisconsin has the third-highest concentration of bars in our study, at 1.89% of all establishments at the county level, and the third-fastest commuting time with an average length of 15.1 minutes. - Median rent: $972 (29% rent). Most Conservative States in America The biggest employer and visitor attraction is the Woodbury Common Premium Outlet Center, which has more than 200 stores. There's Windmill Island Gardens, Nelis' Dutch Village filled with fun rides for kids and, most famously, the annual Tulip Time Festival in early May, when Holland is awash with millions of blooms. Union County, N.C. Largest city: Monroe. This year, five places tied for first place to be named the safest small towns in America. - Median rent: $869 (25% rent). "Highlanders are a dynamic bunch who care about Southern hospitality, and they've been very welcoming.". And, as weve stated before, small towns still see their share of crime. More of an artsy soul? Georgetown's population has increased 10.5% over the past year to . The percentage of residents with a high school diploma ranges from 75% to 91.5%. This Washington D.C. suburb has a small population of just over 1,000 people. - Median rent: $1,309 (24% rent). The percentage of residents living below the poverty line ranges from 4% to 22%. - Median home value: $734,800 (85% own) The content The total number of violent crimes reported is more than 3 times the number of violent crimes that took place in the 100 safest small towns combined. 1. Contact press@smartasset.com. 19. - Population: 2,835 (15% age 55-64 and 21% age 65+) - Median rent: $932 (20% rent). "We're everywhere," jokes Mike "Diesel" Post, Salida's Director of Parks and Recreation, who says the Arkansas River is central to town life. - Median household income: $114,583 The communities on the border nearest Charlotte are among the richest in the U.S., while the rest of the county is moderately prosperous. - Population: 14,362 (20% age 55-64 and 27% age 65+) In 2021 that number grew . - Median rent: unavailable (0% rent). With nearly half of the towns this year making their first appearance on the list, its hard to nail down the reason these little burgs saw a rise when both the safest and most dangerous metro cities declined year over year. Median household income ranges from around $36,000 per year to over $158,000. US Census Bureau, Semega, Kollar, Shrider, and Creamer. - Median rent: $1,196 (9% rent). Though large metropolises like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC, are often thought of as culture and . SafeWise defined a small town as a place with 5,000 to 15,000 people. You may also like: 46 Best Lake Towns to Call Home in America, - Population: 2,887 (10% age 55-64 and 40% age 65+) A maximum of 10 towns from each state and towns with a population of fewer than 40,000 were considered for the rankings, which Niche calculated according to retiree representation, weather quality, cost and safety, access to healthy living, and a handful of other factors. Get Paid Up To $33,000 To Move To One Of These Towns. Questions about our study? - Median rent: $1,130 (20% rent). For country escapes, visit Kindred Farm, which hosts dinners on its 17-acre property, or nearby Natchez Hills vineyard. The fact is that urban areas consistently see more crime than rural areasthree to four times more according to some analyses.. Plus, the live music and barbecue of Austin are only 30 miles away. - Median rent: $936 (14% rent). Median housing costs equal 15.39% of median household income in Fishers, Indiana, ranking fifth for this metric out of all 291 cities we studied. Cheektowaga, New York has a 7.6% unemployment rate for Dec. 2020 (the highest rate for this metric in the top 10). It's bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, and Metro trains are a quick trip to downtown Washington D.C. - Population: 873 (14% age 55-64 and 29% age 65+) Salida is also home to Colorado's first Creative District, with many artist-owned galleries to visit. - Median rent: null (9% rent). "There's a cowboy vibe. , Michigan reported the highest violent crime rate among the safest small towns, reporting 0.8 incidents per 1,000 people. We excluded towns with populations below 5,000 and above 15,000. There's a lot to enjoy within this town's one square mile, including pristine beaches and a mile-long boardwalk filled with attractions, shops, and restaurants. But can we put our finger on why? Wilson Grange, the town's agricultural and culinary venue, hosts wine tastings and a weekly farmers' market. The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2022. - Median household income: $74,087 Heres what you need to know about moving to Puerto Rico for retirement. Residents are just minutes from Detroit and 30 miles from the Brighton Howell area, which has 123 miles of trails and 20 golf courses. This college town is the home of Southwestern University, the oldest higher education institution in Texas. The tight-knit island community was built along 500 acres of pristine natural beauty and prides itself as a perfect place for retirees thanks to its quiet and serene atmosphere. Sioux City, Iowa ranks 11th for home affordability with a 2.25 ratio of home value to household income. Case in point: a slew of new businesses opening their doors in this Hudson Valley hamlet. - Population: 1,150 (7% age 55-64 and 23% age 65+) Its easy to conjure an image of life in a small town. - Population: 17,074 (16% age 55-64 and 32% age 65+) Published on April 21, 2021 at 8:44 am by Murtaza Zaidi in Lists, News. Accessed October 6, 2021. And, as weve stated before, small towns still see their share of crime. Sometimes it makes more sense for one member of a married couple to keep working. The town has two swimming and recreational facilities for residents, and a thriving senior center offers classes, trips, guest speakers, and art exhibits. "It was an opportunity to not only restores Wilson to its former glory, but make it a hub of food and culture in the Delta while staying true to its roots," says Norbert Mede, who heads up the town's development. Residents can join more than 130 recognized clubs (including political organizations, performing arts groups, and fitness groups), spend their days on the putting green, or attend classes at nearby colleges and senior education centers. - Median home value: $842,000 (87% own) In the summer months, late afternoon thunderstorms are common two days out of three, although tropical storms and hurricanes can bring downpours and high winds. Holly Hills is a small Denver suburb, which gives residents the advantage of being close to the excitement of the city with the ability to go home to a small, friendly community at the end of the day. Conservatives are attracted towards Burleson due to its high quality of life,. - Median rent: $1,000 (11% rent).