April 24, 2012

Maine again tops all states on 'Peace Index'

The ranking is based on an analysis of data on homicides, violent crime, policing, incarceration rates and availability of small arms.

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA — A state-by-state assessment measuring crime, guns and other factors lists Maine as the most peaceful state.

Related Documents

Peace Index executive summary
2012 U.S. Peace Index, full report

KEY FINDINGS

  •  Maine is the most peaceful state for the 11th consecutive year, Louisiana is the least peaceful.
  • Wyoming has improved the most while Arizona records the biggest fall.
  • Cambridge, Mass., metro area is the most peaceful, Detroit the least peaceful.
  • The U.S. is more peaceful than at any time in the last 20 years.

The nonpartisan, independent Institute for Economics and Peace released its second annual peace index today. The ranking is based on analysis of homicide, violent crime, policing, incarceration rates and availability of small arms data.

Overall, it finds the Northeast to be America's most peaceful region with the lowest homicide, violent crime and incarceration rates in the country. The South is the least peaceful region with the highest homicide, violent crime, and incarceration rates, as well as the highest prevalence of gun ownership, and the second highest police employee rate.

Maine is America's most peaceful state with recorded reductions in the homicide and incarceration rates as well as the number of police employees.

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