Lowest Disaster Risk Counties

Natural disasters cause billions in damage annually, and their frequency is increasing. Our disaster risk score uses FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates each county's exposure to 18 natural hazards including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, winter storms, and heat waves. The score accounts for both the likelihood of events occurring and the expected consequences given the county's built environment and population vulnerability. Counties in the upper Midwest, northern New England, and parts of the Mountain West consistently score lowest for risk, benefiting from distance to coastlines, low wildfire fuel loads, and minimal seismic activity. Conversely, Gulf Coast counties face compounding risks from hurricanes, flooding, and heat, while Western counties face growing wildfire threats. For homebuyers, disaster risk directly impacts insurance costs — flood and wildfire insurance in high-risk counties can add thousands per year. These rankings help identify locations where both physical safety and insurance affordability are optimized.