Connecticut’s Safest Cities of 2024

Cathy Habas
Mar 18, 2024
bullet3 min read
SafeWise is pleased to release the 10th annual Safest Cities report.

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Connecticut for 2024

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Despite an increase in violent crime year over year, Connecticut still boasts the fourth-lowest violent crime rate in the country. The Constitution State also claims the ninth-lowest property crime rate in the US—two spots better than last year. 

In this report

Download the full list of cities in your state
Enter your email to get the full list with crime stats.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2022.

2024 Connecticut crime rates

Image: SafeWise

Connecticut’s violent crime rate of 2.0 incidents per 1,000 people represents a 25% increase compared to the previous year—but it's still the fourth lowest in the nation. The Constitution State's property crime rate held steady at 15.1 incidents per 1,000 year over year, coming in as the ninth lowest property crime rate in the country. Despite such stellar stats, fewer people told us they feel safe in Connecticut compared to last year—51% versus 59%.

Property crime in Connecticut: Fear vs. reality

Connecticut’s property crime rate of 15.1 is one of the lowest in the country and 27% lower than the national average of 20.7. The safest cities in Connecticut come in even lower, with a collective 7.9 property crime incidents per 1,000 people.

Despite a steady property crime rate year over year, our survey results showed a 24%  increase in concern about property crime and a 12% increase in personal experiences with property crime in The Constitution State. 

  • Over half (56%) of Connecticut respondents told us they're highly concerned about property crime, up from 45% last year.
  • 29% of Connecticut residents claim to have experienced property crime in the 12 months prior to the survey, which represents a 12% increase compared to the previous year. 
  • 43% of Connecticuters reported having experienced package theft in the 12 months prior to the survey, which is higher than the national average of 34% and represents a 19% increase year over year.
  • Of the Connecticut residents who use some form of property protection (77%), nearly 4 in 10 (38%) report using a security camera and 36% rely on security systems.
  • 23% of Connecticut residents reported taking no steps to prevent package theft, but of those who do, 32% reported using a doorbell camera.

What security measures are used most in The Constitution State?

Security measures used most in Connecticut: security cameras, security systems, guard dogs

Image: SafeWise


Compare the best home security systems

Brand
Installation
Monthly cost bullet
Best for
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility bullet
Learn more
ProfessionalBest professional home security$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
ProfessionalMost trusted security brand$0.00YesAmazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest customer ratingQuote requiredNo *Amazon, Google
Ring
DIYBest budget-friendly pick$199.99NoAmazon, Google, Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest DIY home security$245.00NoAmazon,
Google

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer


What crimes are Connecticut residents concerned about most?

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Connecticut: Fear vs. reality

Connecticut’s violent crime rate of 2.0 represents a 25% increase year over year. It's also 49% lower than the national average of 4.0.

Not surprisingly, only 5% of Connecticut residents claimed to have experienced a violent crime in the 12 months prior to the survey, which represents a 62% decrease year over year. 

  • Violent crime makes up 12% of all crime in Connecticut, which is 4 percentage points lower than the national average.
  • Robbery accounts for 46% of violent crime in Connecticut, which is 180% above the national average.
  • Surprisingly, the safest cities reported 160% more rapes collectively, than the state as a whole. Rape made up 24% of all violent crime in the safest cities versus 9% statewide.
  • 31% of Connecticut residents use some form of personal protection (US 36%), and pepper spray and pocket knives are the most popular choices at 42%.

Attitudes about gun violence in Connecticut

  • 62% of Connecticuters worry about gun violence, a startling 63% increase from last year (US 53%).
  • 8% told us they had an experience with gun violence in the 12 months prior to the survey, a drop from 13% last year (12% US).
  • Of the Connecticut residents who use some form of personal protection, 23% carry concealed firearms (US 41%).
  • Connecticut saw 1 mass shooting event in 2023—down from 3 in 2022.

A closer look at the safest cities in Connecticut

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 46 Connecticut cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking.
  • The safest city in Connecticut, Ridgefield, holds on to the top spot for the second consecutive year. 
  • Newtown—jumped up one spot to number 2 this year.
  • Of Connecticut’s 10 safest cities, only Ridgefield, Wallingford, New Milford, and Torrington experienced a decrease in violent crime rates compared to the previous reporting year.
  • Ridgefield was the only city to report 0 violent crimes—and the only city to report fewer than 100 property crimes, coming in with 34.
  • 2 of Connecticut’s safest cities reported fewer than 10 burglaries: Ridgefield (2) and Simsbury (9).
  • The Town of Groton saw the biggest jump year over year—moving from 17 to 10 this year. Its violent crime rate fell from 1.4 to 0.7 year over year.

The 20 safest cities in Connecticut

Image: SafeWise

Ridgefield, Connecticut
#1
Ridgefield
(
-0-
)
  • bullet
    Population
    24,048
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.0, 0.3, 0.1
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.4, 1.7, 3.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Newtown, Connecticut
#2
Newtown
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    27,918
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.3, 0.1, 0.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.3, 4.0, 3.3
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Wallingford, Connecticut
#3
Wallingford
(
+2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    44,099
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.2, 0.5, 0.6
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    6.4, 6.4, 7.1
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Simsbury, Connecticut
#4
Simsbury
(
-2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    25,135
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.3, 0.1, 0.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    5.9, 4.4, 6.2
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
New Milford, Connecticut
#5
New Milford
(
+2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    28,252
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.3, 0.5, 0.7
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    6.8, 8.2, 6.9
Cheshire, Connecticut
#6
Cheshire
(
-2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    28,612
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.1, 0.1, 0.1
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    7.8, 7.3, 7.4
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Greenwich, Connecticut
#7
Greenwich
(
-1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    63,631
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.2, 0.2, 0.1
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    11.0, 7.9, 8.7
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Shelton, Connecticut
#8
Shelton
(
-0-
)
  • bullet
    Population
    42,189
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.6, 0.5, 0.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    9.3, 9.1, 9.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Torrington, Connecticut
#9
Torrington
(
+6
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    35,302
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.5, 0.8, 0.9
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    10.6, 12.8, 11.5
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Groton, Connecticut
#10
Groton Town
(
+7
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    28,608
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.7, 1.4, 0.7
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    10.3, 10.0, 10.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

bullet
Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the Best Home Security Systems—and learn the basics with our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Home Security

Find security and safety resources in your area

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state image or dropdown menu below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 18, 2024.

  • 2022 and 2021 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 18, 2023.

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.

Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

Recent Articles

woman adjusting thermostat in bright home
Best Home Security Systems
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
Man and woman couple wife husband set up surveillance security camera
Best Apartment Security Systems
These renter-friendly apartment security systems help keep you safe and require less commitment than your...
diy-security-system-on-ipad
Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2024
SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system because it's cost-efficient, effective, and easy to...
medical alert products on an illustrated background
Best Medical Alert Systems
See which medical alert system is the best to keep you and your loved one...