Twin Ports safe place to live

The Twin Ports area is the ninth most secure place to live in the United States among mid-size cities, according to the sixth annual Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® study.

This is the second time the Duluth-Superior area has placed in the top 20 in the Farmers study.

The rankings, compiled by database experts at www.bestplaces.net, took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, environmental hazards, terrorist threats, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 127 U.S. metropolitan areas with populations between 150,000 and 500,000.

“Farmers congratulates all of the communities ranking in the Farmers Most Secure Places to Live study. “In today’s fast-paced world, citizens look for a strong local government to make their communities secure, and especially desirable for individuals and families to live, work and grow,” noted Robert Woudstra, Farmers CEO.

“Since its founding in 1928, Farmers has been committed to improving the communities where its customers, agents and employees live and work. Improving safety, expanding educational opportunities, enhancing health and human services, encouraging civic participation and supporting the arts and culture help drive Farmers’ commitment,” Mr. Woudstra added.

The Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn., area is the most secure mid-size city to live in the U.S., according to the Farmers Insurance study. Olympia, Wash., ranks second, while Sioux Falls, S.D., is the third most secure mid-size city in the U.S.

The most secure large metropolitan area (population greater than 500,000) is the central Texas area of Austin-Round Rock, while the most secure small town (population of 150,000 or fewer) is the Lewiston, Idaho-Clarkston, Wash., area.

Green Bay was the only other Wisconsin city to rank in the top 20; it came in at 16.

Tags: twin ports, community, superior