WalletHub Ranks Illinois 38th Safest State
The latest national study highlights safety rankings across multiple metrics for all 50 states.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Forecasts
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WalletHub released its Safest States in America report, placing Illinois 38th overall. Neighboring Missouri ranked 44th in the same analysis.
Why it matters
The report evaluates state-level performance across personal, financial, and workplace safety to determine overall safety standards. This data offers a snapshot of how state infrastructure and safety protocols compare nationwide.
Illinois secured the 20th spot for road safety and 24th for workplace safety. Meanwhile, the state placed 33rd for personal and residential safety, 36th for emergency preparedness, and 42nd for financial safety.
The players
WalletHub
WalletHub is a personal finance website that regularly publishes analytical reports and rankings on various consumer and societal topics.
The details
Researchers compiled the rankings by comparing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The study identifies Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado, Alabama, and Georgia as the 10 lowest-ranked states.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: WalletHub published the Safest States in America report.
Seasonal Patterns
The study categorizes risks by integrating metrics like the billion-dollar disaster threshold used by major national agencies. This analytical approach reflects broader trends in how modern research evaluates state safety through consolidated multi-sector datasets.
Residents can review these rankings to understand how their state compares in specific areas like road and workplace safety. This information provides a baseline for evaluating local policy effectiveness and personal risk management.
The takeaway
Understanding these rankings helps residents identify which safety areas in their state require more focus or policy improvement. While general rankings provide an overview, specific metrics such as road and workplace safety are often more relevant to daily life.
Further reading
For more information on national trends, see the United States forecasts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Belleville News-Democrat.
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Do you feel the state where you live is becoming a safer place for residents?
