Two Iowa communities have made the list of cities nationwide that are considered “most secure.” Out of 114 metro areas, Omaha-Council Bluffs ranks number-six while Des Moines is 20th. Mark Toohey is a spokesman for Farmers Insurance and says their list is comprised of cities with populations of at least a half-million. Toohey says the Omaha area ranked 8th last year, so the metro has moved up two notches. Des Moines fell one position, from 19th, but is in the Top 20 for the fourth year in a row. He says the rankings are based on a series of different criteria.

Categories include: economic stability, crime statistics, the risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, air quality and environmental hazards. Toohey says other factors are considered as well. It’s a combination of multiple elements, like: the weather, the crime, motor vehicle fatalities, employment rates and life expectancy. The top “most secure” cities on the list include: Bethesda, Maryland at number one, followed by Grand Rapids, Michigan; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

(Radio Iowa)