7 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Indiana
Indiana is a great place to raise a family or settle down with its low-key small towns, beautiful lakes, and fun communities. This Midwestern state boasts a unique blend of safe communities with quirky names, attractions, and natural landmarks, ranging from a utopian community to a holiday paradise and the home of a famous American preacher. One community on this list also happens to be near the home of one of America's most famous presidents. Read on to learn more about these 7 safest communities to settle in Indiana.
New Harmony
New Harmony was founded as a utopian community to create an ideal society based on equality, shared labor, and innovative education. The Harmonists settled here in 1814 under George Rapp to establish a utopian society based on an idyllic religious system. They later sold the town in 1824 to Robert Owen, who, in turn, added his own twist to utopianism: an egalitarian socialist society. While these communities are long gone, their influence remains in the town's architecture and attractions, making this one of Indiana's best-kept secrets.
New Harmony prides itself on creating a sense of serenity at places like the Harmonist Labyrinth, a privet hedge maze, or the open-air Roofless Church or Jane Blaffer Owen Sanctuary, filled with tranquil gardens and beautiful sculptures. New Harmony is also located near Harmonie State Park, situated right on the Wabash River, offering hiking trails and fishing opportunities. The town has had no homicides reported in the past five years, and the larger Posey County has a below-average aggravated assault rate.
Winona Lake
Winona Lake is a charming community that's a favorite among travelers seeking a day of lakeside activities. It's also a good place to settle down in Indiana. The 2024 data shows zero murders (homicides) and only four violent crimes (all aggravated assaults) in 2024, and no reported homicides over the past five years. In Winona Lake, there's a mix of charming museums and outdoor attractions to explore.
One is the Billy Sunday Home Museum, which served as the headquarters of the famed traveling preacher. For outdoor activities, there's the 9-mile Winona Lake Trail System for dirt biking and The Heritage Trail, which runs along the shopping facilities and into the woods where many handcrafted religious sculptures welcome you. The Village is one of the best places to go shopping in Winona Lake, thanks to its prime location right by the water and the many locally owned businesses, such as Trailhouse Village Bicycles and Canal Street Market.
Nashville
Don't be fooled by the name; Nashville is a small Indiana town with a big heart that suits its majestic, hilly landscape. The most popular activity here is to get out into nature, especially at Brown County State Park. Known for its rolling hills and scenic views, there are several trails and activities to do here, ranging from a 90-foot Fire Tower, a pool, and rare Yellowweed trees on Trail 5.
Close by to this park is Yellowwood State Forest, home to a beautiful 133-acre lake. Within the town of Nashville itself is a thriving art community, featuring multiple artsy stores and galleries, such as the Brown County Art Gallery and the Art Guild. While exploring these places, one can rest easy as larger Brown County has had no reported homicides in the last five years, and its aggravated assault level is well below the state and national average.
Cedar Lake
Although Indiana has a border with Lake Michigan, it also features many smaller lakes within its borders, accompanied by charming, safe towns nearby. One such place is the self-named Cedar Lake. Overall, the town's aggravated assault rate is below the national average, and it has had no reported homicides in the past five years, making it a safe place to settle down and enjoy lakeside activities such as boating or fishing on the 800-acre lake.
One can also learn about the area's history at the Museum at Lassen's Resort or experience history firsthand by taking a steamboat ride on the 1915 Steamer Dewey, sponsored by the Hesston Steam Museum in nearby LaPorte. If you have a sweet tooth, Cedar Lake is a wonderful place to visit, with options like 1920 Morkes Chocolates in Cedar Lake or Carol Ann's Candies to try out.
Zionsville
The village of Zionsville lies just outside Indianapolis on its Northwestern border, providing easy access to the capital while maintaining a safer atmosphere. It has a minuscule rate of aggravated assault and an almost non-existent homicide rate compared to the rest of the country. Within this community, one can find relaxing walking trails, such as the Starkey Park, situated by a small creek, and the Big-4 Rail Trail, built on the railway that once ran through the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway corridor.
You'll see a rich diversity of trees here in Zionsville, as it is named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to growing trees. Within its downtown area, one can enjoy a variety of shops and diverse food options, such as the Rice Cooker for Asian cuisine, Amore Pizzeria & Ristorante, and the Village Mercantile general store.
West Lafayette
Located right on the Wabash River, West Lafayette has a larger population than other towns on this list, with more than 46,000 residents, but that doesn’t mean it's a dangerous place. It's quite safe to settle here, with no reported homicides and an overall aggravated assault rate that is below the Indiana average.
There are numerous safe activities to enjoy here, such as hiking on the accessible paved trails of Happy Hollow Park, an 81-acre nature preserve located adjacent to the river, attending a classical music performance at the Elliot Hall of Music, or catching a Purdue College football game at Ross-Ade Stadium. For lovers of architecture, you can see one of the best examples of the 1950s middle-class Usonian style homes at the John and Catherine Christian house, Samara, built by Purdue University professor Dr. John Christian and his wife, Catherine.
Santa Claus
The holidays evoke feelings of love, good times, and safety. Santa Claus aims to bring that feeling to everyone all year long. It earned its name in the mid-1800s when children thought they heard the sound of Santa's bells just outside the church. This quirky Indiana town boasts one of the lowest aggravated assault and homicide rates in the state, along with some of the most enjoyable attractions.
These include the locally owned Holiday World & Splashin' Safari amusement park and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which is always well-stocked with Christmas goodies. Families can send a letter to Santa at the historic post office within the Santa Claus Museum & Village or learn about one of America's greatest Presidents at the Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home and National Museum in nearby Lincoln City. This museum marks the spot where Lincoln grew up from 1816 to 1830 before moving to Illinois.
If you're looking for a safe community to settle down, you don’t just want comfort; you also want there to be fun things to do. These towns in Indiana meet both needs in spades. There's the great food scene in Zionsville, the rich sweets of Cedar Lake, the beautiful trails of Winona Lake, the scenic hills of Nashville, and much more to see and do in these communities. Lastly, all of these communities have an extremely low or nonexistent homicide rate, so you won't have to look over your shoulder while living or exploring here.
