This year marks the 11th (consecutive) that Louisiana has come in 50th on the index.
The Pelican State is the absolute bottom dweller on the United States Peace Index, an annual ranking by the nonprofit Institute for Economics & Peace. The IEP factors five criteria into its list: homicides per 100,000 residents, number of violent crimes, number of police employees, availability of small arms and incarceration rate. This year marks the 11th (consecutive) that Louisiana has come in 50th on the index.
The survey, now in its 21st year, does offer some good news, according to the IEP, which reports the United States overall is more peaceful than at anytime in the past 20 years. Make of it what you will, the most peaceful states - based on the group's criteria - tend to be "blue" while the least peaceful tend to be "red."
The Peace Index is topped, in descending order, by Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Ahead of Louisiana in the basement are Tennessee (No. 49) and Nevada (No. 48).
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