North Dakota Really IS The “Peace Garden State”

It says so on our license plates, and it must be true.  Take a look at this survey!

In the first-ever state ranking of peace in the United States, the Institute for Economics and Peace found that Maine was the most peaceful state in the country, while Louisiana came in last.

As a nation, we seem to be doing all right as the United States is supposedly eight percent more peaceful in 2009 than it was in 1995.

The "Peace Index" defines peace as the "absence of violence" -- and includes such factors as homicide rates, violent crimes, percentage of the population in jail, number of police officers and availability of guns.

Top 5 most peaceful states:

Maine

New Hampshire

Vermont

Minnesota

North Dakota

Top 5 least peaceful states:

Louisiana

Tennessee

Nevada

Florida

Alabama

Source: CBS News