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Montana’s Safest Cities of 2024

Here are the 5 Safest Cities in Montana for 2024

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Montana has above-average crime rates for both violent and property crime—but the good news is that per capita crime rates fell across the board this year.

Still, our State of Safety Survey found that reported experiences with crime rose significantly year over year, despite a 20% drop in respondents who told us they're concerned about crime and safety on a daily basis.

In this report

Property crime rates
Violent crime rates
Interesting findings
The Safest Cities
Methodology

How to make a safe home anywhere

How other cities compare
How other states compare

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NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2022 .

2024 Montana crime rates

Image: SafeWise

Montana saw violent crime dip from 4.7 to 4.5 incidents per 1,000 people. That rate is still 14% higher than the nationwide rate of 4.0, and it's the seventeenth-highest in the country.

Property crime in Big Sky Country fell from 21.5 to 21.0 incidents per 1,000 people—putting the state within 2% of the national rate of 20.7. Overall, Montana reports the sixteenth-highest property crime rate in the US.

Property crime in Montana: Fear vs. reality

Montana's property crime rate is higher than the national average, and more residents told us they personally experienced property crime this reporting year. Maybe not surprisingly, Montanans are more concerned about property crime happening to them than violent crime. But Montana is less concerned about property crime than the nation as a whole.

More Montana residents (34%) reported personal experiences with property crime this reporting year compared the year before (24%)—an increase of 42%.
32% of participants reported experiencing package theft in the 12 months prior to the survey, putting Montana below the US average of 35%. This makes Montana seventeenth-lowest for package theft experience.
More than 7 in 10 of survey respondents (77%) use some form of property protection. This is above the 75% national average.
Montana's top form of property protection this year was a tie between guard dogs and firearms, with 38% of survey respondents using them.
32% of Montanans say they increased their security measures in the 12 months prior to our survey (US 35%).

What security measures do Montanans use most?

Security measures used most in Montana: firearms, guard dogs, security cameras.

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What crimes are Montana residents concerned about most?

Violent crime in Montana: Fear vs. reality

Despite the high violent crime, 54% of Montana residents feel safe in their state (US 45%). Those living in Big Sky Country also appear to have considerably lower concern for violent crime.

38% of Montanans reported being concerned about violent crime compared to 50% of Americans.
37% of Montanans reported being concerned about safety in general, compared to 47% of Americans.
21% of people in Montana reported having a personal experience with violent crime in the last 12 months prior to the survey—a shocking 110% increase from the previous year.
4 out of 10 of survey respondents (42%) report using some form of personal protection —outpacing the US average of 36%.
45% of those who carry personal protection use concealed firearms, followed by 40% who carry a pocket knife.

Attitudes about gun violence in Montana

35% of those surveyed named gun violence as a safety concern (US 47%)—that's a 5% drop in concern year over year.
14% of Montana residents reported having experience with gun violence (US 12%)—a 56% rise year over year.
Montana has had 0 mass shootings in the past five years, which is incredibly rare. It leads the nation in the fewest mass shootings.
45% said they use a concealed weapon for personal protection (US 41%).
38% use a firearm to help protect their property (US 28%).

A closer look at the safest cities in Montana

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

20 cities qualified for ranking in Montana this year.
Lewistown is the state's new safest city, jumping two spots to number one.
Dillon and Hamilton are new to Montana's safest cities this year.
There were zero reports of murder among the safest cities.
All of the top four safest cities reported zero robberies.
Miles City reported zero murders and zero rapes.
All the safest cities have property crime rates well below the state and US rates.
Each safest city reported fewer than 10 burglaries.

The 5 safest cities in Montana

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page .

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

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Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Endnotes and sources

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology .

FBI Crime Data Explorer, " Documents & Downloads ." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, " National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) ." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Gun Violence Archive, " Mass Shootings ." Accessed March 18, 2023.

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Montana's 25 Safest Cities - Updated 2023

Safe Havens Unveiled: Exploring the 25 Safest Cities in Montana

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

Last Updated: 2024-04-03 (7 days ago)

In a world where safety and security are paramount, finding the perfect place to call home becomes a top priority. Join us on a journey as we uncover the 25 safest cities across Montana. From tranquil suburbs to vibrant urban centers, these communities offer not only peace of mind but also a high quality of life.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in Montana is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in Montana. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in Montana.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in Montana with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within Montana. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

County: Silver Bow

Crime per 100,000 population

vs. Montana average

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Butte from 2012 to 2022

Butte is an area in Silver Bow, Montana with population of 34,368. The total crime rate in Butte is based on the nearest law agency agency, Silver Bow County Sheriff's Office (MT0470000). Butte total crime rate is 2,916 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#23 Orchard Homes

County: Missoula

Chart of total crime rate in Orchard Homes from 2012 to 2022

Orchard Homes is an area in Missoula, Montana with population of 5,170. The total crime rate in Orchard Homes is based on the nearest law agency agency, Missoula Police Department (MT0320100). Orchard Homes total crime rate is 2,076 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#22 Missoula

Chart of total crime rate in Missoula from 2012 to 2022

Missoula is an area in Missoula, Montana with population of 92,863. The total crime rate in Missoula is based on the nearest law agency agency, Missoula Police Department (MT0320100). Missoula total crime rate is 2,076 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

County: Yellowstone

Chart of total crime rate in Laurel from 2012 to 2022

Laurel is an area in Yellowstone, Montana with population of 7,164. The total crime rate in Laurel is based on the nearest law agency agency, Laurel Police Department (MT0560200). Laurel total crime rate is 1,448 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#20 Billings

Chart of total crime rate in Billings from 2012 to 2022

Billings is an area in Yellowstone, Montana with population of 124,973. The total crime rate in Billings is based on the nearest law agency agency, Laurel Police Department (MT0560200). Billings total crime rate is 1,448 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#19 Lockwood

Chart of total crime rate in Lockwood from 2012 to 2022

Lockwood is an area in Yellowstone, Montana with population of 7,162. The total crime rate in Lockwood is based on the nearest law agency agency, Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office (MT0560000). Lockwood total crime rate is 1,262 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#18 Lewistown

County: Fergus

Chart of total crime rate in Lewistown from 2012 to 2022

Lewistown is an area in Fergus, Montana with population of 5,967. The total crime rate in Lewistown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lewistown Police Department (MT0140100). Lewistown total crime rate is 1,034 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#17 Four Corners

County: Gallatin

Chart of total crime rate in Four Corners from 2012 to 2022

Four Corners is an area in Gallatin, Montana with population of 5,649. The total crime rate in Four Corners is based on the nearest law agency agency, Belgrade Police Department (MT0160200). Four Corners total crime rate is 849 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#16 Belgrade

Chart of total crime rate in Belgrade from 2012 to 2022

Belgrade is an area in Gallatin, Montana with population of 10,555. The total crime rate in Belgrade is based on the nearest law agency agency, Belgrade Police Department (MT0160200). Belgrade total crime rate is 849 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

County: Richland

Chart of total crime rate in Sidney from 2012 to 2022

Sidney is an area in Richland, Montana with population of 6,240. The total crime rate in Sidney is based on the nearest law agency agency, Richland County Sheriff's Office (MT0420000). Sidney total crime rate is 834 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#14 Anaconda

County: Deer Lodge

Chart of total crime rate in Anaconda from 2012 to 2022

Anaconda is an area in Deer Lodge, Montana with population of 9,380. The total crime rate in Anaconda is based on the nearest law agency agency, Deer Lodge County Sheriff's Office (MT0120000). Anaconda total crime rate is 814 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

County: Lake

Chart of total crime rate in Polson from 2012 to 2022

Polson is an area in Lake, Montana with population of 5,161. The total crime rate in Polson is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lake County Sheriff's Office (MT0240000). Polson total crime rate is 806 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#12 Miles City

County: Custer

Chart of total crime rate in Miles City from 2012 to 2022

Miles City is an area in Custer, Montana with population of 8,441. The total crime rate in Miles City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Custer County Sheriff's Office (MT0090000). Miles City total crime rate is 730 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#11 Kalispell

County: Flathead

Chart of total crime rate in Kalispell from 2012 to 2022

Kalispell is an area in Flathead, Montana with population of 24,260. The total crime rate in Kalispell is based on the nearest law agency agency, Flathead County Sheriff's Office (MT0150000). Kalispell total crime rate is 683 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#10 Evergreen

Chart of total crime rate in Evergreen from 2012 to 2022

Evergreen is an area in Flathead, Montana with population of 7,988. The total crime rate in Evergreen is based on the nearest law agency agency, Flathead County Sheriff's Office (MT0150000). Evergreen total crime rate is 683 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

County: Hill

Chart of total crime rate in Havre from 2012 to 2022

Havre is an area in Hill, Montana with population of 9,417. The total crime rate in Havre is based on the nearest law agency agency, Havre Police Department (MT0210100). Havre total crime rate is 639 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#8 Whitefish

Chart of total crime rate in Whitefish from 2012 to 2022

Whitefish is an area in Flathead, Montana with population of 7,783. The total crime rate in Whitefish is based on the nearest law agency agency, Columbia Falls Police Department (MT0150100). Whitefish total crime rate is 631 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#7 Columbia Falls

Chart of total crime rate in Columbia Falls from 2012 to 2022

Columbia Falls is an area in Flathead, Montana with population of 5,304. The total crime rate in Columbia Falls is based on the nearest law agency agency, Columbia Falls Police Department (MT0150100). Columbia Falls total crime rate is 631 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#6 Helena Valley West Central

County: Lewis and Clark

Chart of total crime rate in Helena Valley West Central from 2012 to 2022

Helena Valley West Central is an area in Lewis and Clark, Montana with population of 8,550. The total crime rate in Helena Valley West Central is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office (MT0250000). Helena Valley West Central total crime rate is 606 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#5 Helena Valley Southeast

Chart of total crime rate in Helena Valley Southeast from 2012 to 2022

Helena Valley Southeast is an area in Lewis and Clark, Montana with population of 9,316. The total crime rate in Helena Valley Southeast is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office (MT0250000). Helena Valley Southeast total crime rate is 606 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

Chart of total crime rate in Helena from 2012 to 2022

Helena is an area in Lewis and Clark, Montana with population of 32,060. The total crime rate in Helena is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office (MT0250000). Helena total crime rate is 606 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#3 Livingston

County: Park

Chart of total crime rate in Livingston from 2012 to 2022

Livingston is an area in Park, Montana with population of 8,110. The total crime rate in Livingston is based on the nearest law agency agency, Park County Sheriff's Office (MT0340000). Livingston total crime rate is 538 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

Chart of total crime rate in Bozeman from 2012 to 2022

Bozeman is an area in Gallatin, Montana with population of 51,574. The total crime rate in Bozeman is based on the nearest law agency agency, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office (MT0160000). Bozeman total crime rate is 351 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

#1 Great Falls

County: Cascade

Chart of total crime rate in Great Falls from 2012 to 2022

Great Falls is an area in Cascade, Montana with population of 62,112. The total crime rate in Great Falls is based on the nearest law agency agency, Cascade County Sheriff's Office (MT0070000). Great Falls total crime rate is 336 per 100,000 population, compared to Montana average of 3,001.42 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in Montana

Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of violent crimes within a given area. It's important to note that FBI statistics primarily focus on population figures and reported violent crimes, often overlooking the intricate dynamics behind these numbers. Each city in-->