Dangerous States: Florida Ranks Among The Worst

TAMPA, FL — Floridians might get to enjoy some of the world’s best beaches and plenty of sunshine, but personal safety might be lacking. The Sunshine State, in fact, ranks among the lowest across the country in the personal safety department.

That’s according to the number crunchers at WalletHub. The team at the website dedicated to all things personal finance-related recently dove into an analysis of all 50 states across 37 key metrics. Using data pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor and other sources, the analysts sought to rank states based on the level of personal safety families enjoy. Metrics included covered everything from assaults and murders per capita to fatal automobile accidents and share of population lacking health coverage.

Vermont led the nation to earn the title of being America’s safest state, according to WalletHub. Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Hampshire rounded out the top five safest. Mississippi earned the dubious distinction of 50th place in the rankings with Louisiana only faring a little bit better in the 49th position.

Florida ranked 42nd, or ninth least safe, WalletHub’s analysts concluded. The state took pretty big hits in several key metrics, including:

• Murders and non-negligent manslaughter per capita – Florida ranked 31st with one being the safest and 50 being the least safe
• Assaults per capita – 40th
• Total loss amounts from climate disasters per capita – 42nd
• Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, 21st
• Fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel – 42nd
• Sex offenders per capita – 43rd
• Share of population lacking health insurance – 47th

To check out the full study report, visit WalletHub online. More information about the methodology used to rank states may also be found on WalletHub.

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