- Population: 9,622 (15% age 55-64 and 23% age 65+) Annuities provide steady income in retirement, but some financial planners prefer alternatives. Conversely, people are more likely to know one another (or theyll at least know your mom) in a smaller community. Wetlands, open spaces, ponds, and marshlands add to the town's visual appeal. Flickr/Delilah Hinman. - Population: 5,022 (15% age 55-64 and 34% age 65+) Retirees are drawn to the endless array of outdoor activities, from fishing and tennis to sailing, kayaking, and golf. Don't miss the annual Red Poppy Festival, a free celebration with live music, a parade, a kid zone, arts and crafts, and a car show.Hailed as "The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas," downtown Georgetown allows free parking after 5 p.m. year-round to dine, try a wine-tasting or two . September 28, 2022. - Median rent: $1,214 (11% rent). - Median household income: $132,955 St. Simons Island is part of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia known as the Golden Isles. Main Street newcomers include the Gold Room, a spot for wood-fired pizzas and cocktails from former Portland chefs Ross Effinger and JoMarie Pitino. Taking money from your IRA may seem like a simple matter, but it's a decision that must be timed right. 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 household income: $53,503 This New York village offers fitness center memberships as well as planned game and movie nights. - Median home value: $145,800 (79% own) It's also downright friendly (see the "Greetings from" and "Welcome to" murals). Aggravated assault was the most common violent crime reported, with 490 incidents. And, broadly speaking, crime tends to be more rampant when theres more opportunity for it to occur. - Median home value: $1,017,100 (82% own) And, broadly speaking, crime tends to be more rampant when theres more opportunity for it to occur. Show chat replay Understanding the Pros and Cons of Annuities. Many American retirees are looking to age in place, while others who have bid adieu to the workplace are seeking new locales. - Median rent: $1,223 (16% rent). The Best Medical Alert Systems for Fall Detection, Upper Providence Township, Delaware County. - Median rent: $1,195 (15% rent). "Honesdale is progressive, but it maintains a slower pace and has a tight-knit community that wraps you up like a warm hug," says Allaina Propst, owner of Here & Now Brewing Co., which she opened in 2017. - Median household income: $187,778 Questions about our study? Why small towns? Pre-pandemic, 75 million visitors a year went to Orlando. It might surprise you to learn that most Americans live in small towns. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past eight. On top of our overall, report, we think it helps to hone in on crime trends in cities of similar sizes. And if you're planning a holiday escape, here are the best small towns to visit for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime reports and spotting trends. Among them: The Maker, an 11-room boutique hotel spread across three historic buildings, founded by the owners of Fresh beauty products, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. The community's 668-foot-long fishing pier provides an ideal spot for anglers during the day and acts as a live-music venue during summer evenings. According to county-level data, it also has the 11th-highest concentration of bars (1.29%). was named the most dangerous small town in America. But ranks 215th for its concentration of restaurants, which account for only 6.72% of all establishments at the county level. Hello Wyoming! As part of our Safest Cities series, we look at crime rates in cities of all different sizes. Country Living editors select each product featured. - Median home value: $271,500 (94% own) Residents of Parole benefit from shops, services and restaurants being an easy walk or short drive away. Eau Claire also ranks 22nd out of 291 for its high number of healthcare establishments, at 14.08% of all establishments. Note: There was a five-way tie for number one, listed in alphabetical order. For reference, America is about 60% white, while Billings clocks in at 86%. The 18th century Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy, Hollow, New York, which was named one of the safest small towns in America in 2021, The marina in Emeryville, Californiathe most. - Median home value: $460,100 (97% own) The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores offers a different kind of fun, as well as volunteer opportunities. It is home to several private and public colleges as well as a handful of . Community members may join the semi-private Whiskey Creek Country Club for access to an 18-hole golf course and a bar and restaurant, as well as social activities such as bridge and dancing. - Median rent: $2,547 (7% rent), This Phoenix suburb sits on the edges of both the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and Camelback Mountain and has three golf courses, four medical centers, nine resorts, and 294 sunny days per year. Some of the best choices are idyllic suburbs like Piermont, New York and Shenandoah, Texas, that are just minutes away from the business bustle and cultural attractions of big cities. For anyone considering a move to Garden City Beach, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce offers a relocation guide. For country escapes, visit Kindred Farm, which hosts dinners on its 17-acre property, or nearby Natchez Hills vineyard. - Median home value: $159,900 (82% own) - Median household income: $87,248 The region hosts a number of baseball spring-training camps, and the scenic islands of Sanibel and Captiva are nearby. Salida is also home to Colorado's first Creative District, with many artist-owned galleries to visit. on. - Population: 2,272 (20% age 55-64 and 37% age 65+) A part-time career could mean a stressful future if you don't use some of these tips to prepare for retirement. 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. Garrett Park retains its historic, small-town charm with potluck town dinners, farmers markets, a swim club, and historic homes and buildings. - Median rent: $1,568 (8% rent). From when to retire to how much to save, here are expert-backed answers to crucial retirement questions. Socioeconomic factors certainly play a role. Some cities are more conservative than liberal. Taking classes keeps your mind sharp, helps you network and may even be free. The town is small, with just under 4,000 people, and is known for its great weather and bountiful outdoor activities like art and cultural festivals, gardens, and al fresco dining. - Median household income: $85,200 Unlike the safest and most dangerous metros, this years safest small towns saw a rise in violent crime year over year. - Median home value: $842,000 (87% own) - Median home value: $944,700 (78% own) Joseph sits in northeast Oregon's Wallowa County, renowned for both its natural beauty and remoteness (there are no stoplights, and it's a four-hour drive to Boise, Idaho, the closest big city). No other characterization of any community is implied or intended, says SafeWise.). Sauk Village, Illinois is the small town that reported the highest number of violent crimes to the FBI in 2019. There's also a massive retirement community for those age 55 and older called Sun City Texas, which has over 15,000 residents. "Highlanders are a dynamic bunch who care about Southern hospitality, and they've been very welcoming.". Lucky for us, America is full of small towns that capture that nostalgic feelingand nearly non-existent crime rates are the cherry on top. Larceny-theft was the most common property crime reported, accounting for 92% of all reported incidents. - Median household income: $82,081 High Point is a community that sits on Florida's Gulf coast, not far from Tampa Bay's pulsing metropolis. - Median rent: $2,000 (33% rent). Between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach sits Jensen Beach, a vibrant community known for its major shopping centers, fine dining, and water sports. This city also has the 14th-lowest unemployment rate in our study, at 3.4% in December 2020. Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family, 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023, Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues, What Our Editors Bought and Loved in February, Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing. We excluded towns with populations below 5,000 and above 15,000. Stroll Holland's downtown shopping district for a mix of longtime, family-run businesses rooted in the town's Dutch heritage, like DeBoer's Bakery, and newer offerings like garden and home-goods shop Gezellig. Look for ways to trim costs and keep items in solid condition to stretch retirement dollars. But those few factors, along with numbers of reported crimes, are still just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to analyzing everything that impacts both the safety and overall quality of life in a community, large or small. These adjusted measurements were then added together with the weights mentioned above to get a score of 100. With numerous water trails and a temperate climate, the coast is a paddler's paradise. - Median household income: $57,265 So what are the most conservative cities in the United States? Sleepy Hollow Village, New York 1. - Median home value: $221,500 (88% own) These cities met our criteria to be considered for ranking, but didnt land in the top 100. - Median home value: $272,400 (89% own) Its stated mission is to provide "high-quality public services to a community which values limited government. - Median rent: $1,037 (29% rent). - Population: 1,832 (14% age 55-64 and 18% age 65+) The news gets better when we look at property crime. That prompted us to ask, What makes those five small towns similar? The answer: almost nothing. It hosts concerts, movies, and bonfires in the summer when its population swells and is close to the peaceful Assawoman Bay State Wildlife Area. The city with the highest average ranking received a score of 100 and the city with the lowest average ranking received a score of 0. - Median household income: $181,667 Ocean View, Delaware, is a small coastal town with just over 2,000 residents known for its suburban, rural feel and its great weather, low crime, and all-around warm family atmosphere. The Stourbridge Line historic railroad, based in Honesdale, offers rides along the Lackawaxen River Valley in restored 1920s train cars.