Community tops Farmers’ ‘most secure’ town list

By Tom Henderson
Gazette-Times

For the second straight year, Corvallis remains the most secure small town in the United States, according to the fifth annual Farmers Insurance Group of Companies study.

Lt. Dave Henslee, public information officer for the Corvallis Police Department, said local police are partly responsible for that.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, the Corvallis Police Department employs a group of men and women highly concerned about the safety of Corvallis residents,” he said.

The “most secure” rankings took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 138 U.S. towns with populations of fewer than 150,000.

“The Farmers ‘Most Secure Places to Live’ survey reveals a lot about how local governments and citizens work together to make their communities a desirable choice for individuals and families to live, work and grow,” said Robert Woudstra, the CEO of Farmers Group Inc.

Bismarck, N.D., was second among the most secure U.S. small towns, according to the survey. Logan, Utah, was third.

The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash., area encompassing Puget Sound is the most secure large metropolitan area (population 500,000 or more), while the most secure mid-size city (population between 150,000 to 500,000) is Olympia, Wash.

The complete list of the top 20 small towns is Corvallis; Bismarck; Logan; Wenatchee, Wash.; State College, Pa.; Lewiston, Idaho; Morgantown, W.Va.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Billings, Mont.; Santa Fe, N.M.; Wheeling, W.Va.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Lebanon, Pa.; Grand Forks, N.D.; Casper, Wyo.; Wausau, Wis.; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Wash.; Farmington, N.M.; Midland, Texas; and Great Falls, Mont.