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Nevada takes the top spot for most dangerous state for the fourth year in a row; North Dakota ranks as the safest.

For the fourth year in a row, Nevada has earned the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous state in America, according to a survey published Thursday.

Based on annual statistics, Nevada had the highest crime rate among the 50 states across the country, according to Morgan Quitno Press, an independent researcher in Lawrence, Kansas, which publishes the rankings annually.

“The story for Nevada remains the same as in previous years,” Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno Press, remarked in the report. “As a rapidly growing state, it struggles with crime and other problems. It has some of the highest murder, robbery and motor vehicle theft rates in the country.”

The survey, which did not include the District of Columbia, looked at rates from 2005 for six major crimes including murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary and auto theft, comparing those to the national average.

Neighboring Southwestern states New Mexico and Arizona joined Nevada as second and third most dangerous states across the country, followed by Maryland and Tennessee.

North Dakota ranked as the safest state this year, making it the 10th time in the last 14 years the state has earned the honor.

Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Wyoming also ranked as some of the safest states, according to the survey.

TOP FIVE:

1. Nevada
2. New Mexico
3. Arizona
4. Maryland
5. Tennessee

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