The Treasure State is a beautiful place to live, but it’s not immune to the problems of the world — as you’ll soon see in the following list of the most dangerous cities in Montana. Even the wonderful state of Montana is not without its criminals. While this state is still considered a very safe place to live, as far as crime statistics go, some cities are safer than others. The popular site Roadsnacks recently released after studying three years’ worth of FBI crime data. Based on that, these cities and towns (all with populations of over 1,000) were ranked as some of the most dangerous places in Montana.

1. Polson
Polson, MT 59860, USA
2-Dog-Farm/Flickr
Our list of most dangerous places in Montana starts in Polson. Based on the FBI data, Polson has the most property crime per capita of any city in the state. If you lived here in 2013, you had a 1 in 15 chance of being the victim of theft or arson.

Learn more about Polson Polson, Montana, in our previous article.
2. Ronan
Ronan, MT 59864, USA
LeeInWashDC/Flickr
Yikes...Ronan City is ranked first for violent crime in Montana. But with a 1 in 128 chance of being the victim of violence, your odds still aren’t terrible.
3. Billings
Billings, MT, USA
Jeff Myers/Flickr
As the most populated city in Montana, Billings was bound to make this list. The city is 2nd in the state for property crime, but rated 10th for violent crime.

One thing Billings does have, is a lot of tasty restaurants. Check out some of our favorite restaurants in Billings, Montana.
4. Wolf Point
Wolf Point, MT 59201, USA
Eric O'Brien/Flickr
This small town in northeastern Montana is the second most violent part of the state, with your odds being 1 in 173 of being a victim. The good news is that instances of property crime dropped 47% between 2011 and 2013.
5. Hamilton
Ravalli County, MT, USA
A.Davey/Flickr
Hamilton is a beautiful city, but this west-central spot is ranked third in the state for violent crime. But according to the FBI’s data, both property crime and violent crime appear to be decreasing.

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6. Havre
Havre, MT 59501, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
Havre is ranked 4th in the state for violent crime rates, with residents having a 5% chance of being the victim of theft or arson. While it is currently ranked number 6 in the state for violent crime, there was a large drop in violent crime rates between 2011 and 2013.

Learn more about Havre in our previous article in our previous article about this small town in Montana.
7. Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Holly Hayes/Flickr
Your odds of being the victim of a violent crime in Kalispell are quite low—the city ranks 18th in the state. Unfortunately they are number 7 in Montana for violent crime rates, which went up 11% from 2011-2013.

Learn more about Kalispell in this feature article about this Montana town.
8. Missoula
Missoula, MT, USA
Frank DiBona?Flickr
The second most populated city in Montana is ranked at number 8 in the state for violent crime. Between 2011 and 2013, violent crime rose by 14% and property crime rose by 20%.

Learn more about Missoula, Montana, in this previous article.
9. Helena
Helena, MT, USA
Harshil Shah/Flickr
Big cities attract big crime, and our state capital is 9th in the state for both property crime and violent crime. In 2013, residents of Helena had a 1 in 263 chance of being the victim of violence and a 1 in 23 chance of being the victim of a property crime.
10. Cut Bank
Cut Bank, MT 59427, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Located in the northwestern part of the state, Cut Bank barely makes our list of most dangerous places in Montana; but that’s only because violent crime rates fell an impressive 45% between 2011 and 2013. It is now ranked 8th in the state for violent crime.

What do you think about this list of dangerous places in Montana? Do you think it’s accurate? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for a more pleasant read about our state, here’s why we think Montana is the best state to live.

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Most Dangerous Places In Montana

Jackie Ann | February 18, 2021

What is the safest place to live in Montana?

Crime across Big Sky Country is on par with national rates, making many towns in Montana excellent locations to settle down. Ranking among the highest places in overall safety is Glendive in Dawson County. Glendive is home to the Dawson Community College which offers eastern Montanans educational opportunities in the Arts and Applied Sciences. Another town in which to safely put down your roots is Deer Lodge, boasting more museums and collections of historical exhibits than in any other Northwestern town. Also ranked highly for safety is Whitefish, located in Montana’s Northern Rocky Mountains. The lovely town of Whitefish neighbors the Glacier National Park, surrounded by millions of acres of mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers.

Where is the best place to live in Montana?

With some of the most stunning terrain in the U.S., Montana is home to an abundance of idyllic and downright charming places to call home. Locals and visitors alike agree that the cozy town of East Helena is one of Montana’s most beloved places for a good reason. With a population just under 3,000 and located about 5 miles outside of downtown Helena, East Helena offers easy access to a surprising array of amenities with a lower than the national average cost of living. Situated near the Ferry Lakes of Holter, Hauser, and Canyon, residents enjoy a wealth of recreational opportunities and nature activities at their fingertips.

What is the most unique town in Montana?

Butte is a Montana treasure for several notable reasons. Situated between the Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks with a breathtaking backdrop of Southwest Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Butte is a unique city with a small-town feel. Recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the city of Butte is a history buffs paradise with the largest designated historical district in the U.S. boasting thousands of notable Victorian and Queen Anne properties. Nature lovers are awed by Butte's seemingly endless outdoor activities including the remarkable Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and its 13 trailheads leading to some of the most heavenly views our country has to offer.

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