New study says Idaho ranks 11th as the safest state for seniors

Here's some fantastic news for Idaho’s aging population!

We who call the beautiful state of Idaho home are used to seeing our state and towns pop up on all kinds of "Best of" lists. Here's one ranking I haven't noticed before. Based on several criteria, a new study has ranked Idaho the 11th-safest state for seniors in the country.

Most of us would like to imagine our golden years will be filled with safety, financial security and relaxation. And no doubt, the 50 million Americans who are 65 and older are hoping for the same.

The study, which tabulated data including fraud, violent injury and poverty, lists Idaho as the safest state in the Pacific Northwest.

In the study, Idaho outranked neighboring states Montana (20th), Washington (25th) and Oregon (45th). The study was conducted last year by The Senior List, a Portland, Oregon based nonprofit that provides ratings, reviews and discussions on products and services for boomers and seniors.

Idaho’s population is aging faster than the national average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

From 2010 to 2018, the senior population increased by nearly 19 percent compared with a 14.2 percent increase nationally for the same period. About 7.5 percent of Idaho’s population (roughly 213,000 people) is 65 and older.

Good marks for Idaho include violent deaths among seniors, with about 16 deaths per 100,000 last year compared with a national average of 18 per 100,000. Affordable rent also scored favorably, with the average senior paying between $600 and $640 per month compared with a national average of $980 per month, according to the study. Idaho also scored well for fraud against seniors with 8,187 reported cases in 2018, or 477 per 100,000 population. The national average is 559 per 100,000.