The Tri-Cities area is the No. 1 most-secure place to live in the United States among mid-sized cities, according to the eighth annual Farmers Insurance Group study.

The Tri-Cities last was named the top most-secure place in 2005.

The rankings, compiled by database experts at www.bestplaces.net, considered crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, environmental hazards, terrorist threats, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 127 U.S. metropolitan areas with populations between 150,000 and 500,000.

According to the news release, the Tri-Cities regained its top ranking -- just ahead of Boulder, Colo. -- largely because of a high job growth rate, along with low housing depreciation and unemployment rate.

This marks the sixth time the Kennewick-Richland-Pasco area has appeared among the top 20 in the annual Farmers study.

Several cities in Washington ranked high in the survey.

Olympia was No. 4, followed by Bellingham at No. 7, Bremerton-Silverdale at No. 13, Yakima at No. 14 and Spokane at No. 20.

Pittsburgh, Pa., is the most secure large metropolitan area (population greater than 500,000). None of the large Northwest cities made the top 20.

The most secure small town (population of 150,000 or fewer) is Ithaca, N.Y.

Three Northwest communities made the top 15, with Corvallis at No. 5, Lewiston-Clarkston at No. 10 and Wenatchee at No. 14.