North Dakota can easily say it’s one of the safest states in the country. With low crime across the prairie, there is little to be concerned about here. However, that’s not to say crime doesn’t happen at all. Unfortunately, it does happen even in the Peace Garden State, and the latest FBI statistics can show us where it happens most. Here are the most dangerous cities in North Dakota for 2022 based on the most recent (2018) FBI numbers.

1. Williston
Williston, ND 58801, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Williston, North Dakota tops the list as the most dangerous city in North Dakota. Known as a "boomtown," people have flocked in from all over the place to work in the oil fields. Unsurprisingly, with a sudden influx of residents came a higher rate of crime, as well. In the most recent year of data taken, 142 counts of violent crime were recorded along with nearly 600 reports of theft. Over 775 counts of property theft were recorded, as well.
2. Fargo
Fargo, ND, USA
Kaya/Flickr
North Dakota's largest city, at around 125,000 residents, is number 2 on this list. Property crime is at some of the highest rates in the state and there were nearly 3,000 counts of theft and larceny recorded by the FBI in a single year. Still, compared to other state's largest cities, it is considered one of the safer ones in the country.
3. Mandan
Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Mandan comes in at number 3 in terms of crime in North Dakota. With just under 23,000 residents, there were 82 recorded instances of violent crimes in a year, 70 aggravated assaults, and nearly 700 cases of property theft.
4. Bismarck
Bismarck, ND, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Coming along right next to Mandan is Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota. These two cities share the same metropolitan area and also similar crime statistics. Violent crime has raised in the past few years, with 223 counts of it recorded in 2018 alone. However, things like property theft have lowered recently.
5. Devils Lake
Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Devils Lake certainly isn't one of North Dakota's biggest cities, at only 7,314 residents, but its crime rates put it at 5th on the list. It has some of the highest rates of property crime and larceny in the state.

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6. Grand Forks
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Ross Griff/Flickr
North Dakota's third largest city comes in at number 6 in terms of dangerous cities in the state. At nearly 58,000 residents, there were over 2,700 combined instances of property crimes, burglaries, thefts, and motor vehicle thefts in a single year.
7. Watford City
Watford City, ND 58854, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Watford City is similar to Williston - people came flocking to it when good work opportunities came in the oil fields. The population went up by nearly 60% due to the boom. Though quieter now than it was some years ago, the crime rates are still high enough to get it a spot on the list.
8. Jamestown
Jamestown, ND, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
Jamestown ranks 8th on this list. With a population around 15,000, it showed a recent increase in property crimes and violent crimes are not unheard of here.
9. Valley City
Valley City, ND 58072, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
The "City of Bridges" comes in at number 9. It is the smallest city on this list at only just over 6,400 residents. It has relatively high property crime rates for North Dakota and had a rise in violent crimes in the past few years.
10. Minot
Minot, ND, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
At the very end of the list is Minot, the "Magic City," known for it's huge and fast expansion back in the day. It is North Dakota's fourth largest city and, although it has seen a downward trend in its crime rates recently, still has just enough to put it on the list.

While these cities would be considered the most dangerous in North Dakota, it’s good to remember that compared to the rest of the country, these rates are rather low. The state still has some of the best rankings in safety, and there are tons of other cities and towns across the prairie with little to no crime recorded. You can see a few of them on the FBI list that has zeros across the board in terms of crimes recorded. Here is a list of some of the safest places in North Dakota.

Did any of this data surprise you?

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Most Dangerous Cities in North Dakota

Tori Jane | August 05, 2022

Just how safe is North Dakota?  

North Dakota is quite safe overall, ranking as #6 in the United States in terms of personal and property safety. It has a much lower crime rate than the national average, and it’s got the lowest crime rate in the northern Midwest as well. It has the 16th-lowest violent crime rate, and averages about 285 violent crimes per 100,000 residents (the national average is 379 pr 100,000 residents). This could be in part thanks to its overall remoteness; it’s the least-visited state in the USA! We think that’s a shame, though, because there are some truly amazing state parks in North Dakota, as well as amazing natural wonders in North Dakota that all too many folks miss out on.  

What are the North Dakota crime rates like?  

Including some of the stats from above, the crime rates are definitely lower than average. Your chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime in North Dakota are 1 in 309. In 2020, there were 0.04 murders per 1,000 residents, 0.19 robberies per 1,000 residents, 2.49 assaults per 1,000 residents, and 0.51 rapes per 1,000 residents. It is a very safe state, especially when compared to others, and we think it’s a great place to visit or move to (or vacation in).  

Is North Dakota a safe state to raise a family in?  

It most certainly is. Of course, some towns in North Dakota are safer than others, and the safest towns in North Dakota for 2022 include gems like Hazen, Beulah, New Town, Carrington, Stanley, Lincoln, Rugby, and Lisbon. North Dakota has some of the cutest small towns in the United States, and its low crime rates even in the most “dangerous” places in North Dakota are still well below the national average. Your children will be safe here, and as long as they go to good schools, they ought to be set for life.  

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