What Is the Crime Rate in North Dakota? A Data-Driven Overview

Meta description: See how North Dakota’s crime rate compares with the U.S. average, what the latest FBI data can—and cannot—show, and how crime varies by community.

North Dakota’s crime rate depends on which offenses are counted, which year is measured, and whether the figure covers the entire state or a particular community. In the FBI’s 2023 crime statistics, the state’s estimated violent crime rate was about 329 offenses per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of about 364. Its property crime rate was also below the national average. These statewide figures offer useful context, but they do not predict the risk in every city or neighborhood.

North Dakota Crime Rate at a Glance

The FBI’s annual estimates provide a standard way to compare reported crime across states. Rates are expressed per 100,000 residents, making places of different population sizes easier to compare. For 2023, the FBI estimated North Dakota’s violent crime rate at approximately 329 per 100,000 people, compared with approximately 364 nationwide.

North Dakota’s property crime rate was also below the national estimate. Rounded state and U.S. figures are useful for a broad comparison, but exact values can vary slightly across data releases and sources because of changes in reporting, coverage, and estimation methods. The table summarizes the 2023 comparison using rounded rates.

These are estimated rates, not a count of every offense that occurred. The FBI’s national program combines information from participating law enforcement agencies and statistical methods to address gaps in reporting. Readers should consult the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the data release and definitions they need.

What Counts as Violent and Property Crime?

Crime-rate comparisons can be misleading when sources define categories differently. In FBI reporting, violent crime generally includes murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The category is not a measure of every offense involving force or a threat; offenses such as simple assault may be recorded separately.

Property crime generally includes burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. It covers offenses involving property rather than direct force against a person. Some reports include additional categories or use broader labels, so a rate from one website may not match an FBI figure exactly.

Crime statistics also distinguish between incidents reported to police and incidents captured by victimization surveys. Some crimes are never reported to law enforcement. The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey measures certain experiences reported by people in household surveys, providing a different view from police records.

How North Dakota Compares With the National Average

For 2023, North Dakota’s estimated violent crime rate was below the U.S. rate. That is a useful point of comparison, but it does not mean violent crime is absent or that every resident faces the same level of risk. A statewide average combines cities, smaller towns, rural areas, and places with different populations and circumstances.

The same caution applies to property crime. A rate below the national average still represents real thefts, burglaries, and vehicle crimes. For a resident deciding how to secure a home or car, local police information and neighborhood conditions are more relevant than a single statewide number.

Rankings should also be treated carefully. A state’s position can shift when small differences in rates, population estimates, or reporting completeness change. In a state with a relatively small population, a modest change in the number of reported offenses can produce a noticeable change in the per-capita rate. A ranking is not a complete measure of safety or quality of life.

Why Crime Rates Differ Across North Dakota

Crime is not distributed evenly across a state. Population density, local economic conditions, access to services, patterns of travel, and the presence of commercial or entertainment districts can all influence the types and locations of reported offenses. A city-level rate may differ substantially from the statewide rate, while rural communities face their own challenges, including longer distances for emergency response.

Rates can also change from year to year because of both real changes in crime and changes in reporting. A rise in reported offenses may reflect more incidents, improved reporting practices, better data coverage, or a combination of factors. Conversely, a lower reported rate does not establish that all crime declined.

Population estimates matter as well. A rate is calculated by dividing a count of offenses by a population figure and scaling it to 100,000 people. If the population estimate changes, the rate can shift even when the number of offenses remains similar. Seasonal visitors, commuters, and other temporary population changes may also affect a community’s experience without being fully reflected in its resident population denominator.

Using FBI Crime Data Correctly

The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer is a primary source for reported crime statistics. It allows users to explore data by state, agency, offense, and year, subject to what participating agencies submitted. North Dakota’s Attorney General also publishes crime-related information and state resources that can help readers find local context.

When reviewing a figure, check these details before drawing a conclusion:

• Year: Compare the same calendar year across states and sources.
• Measure: Confirm whether the figure is a raw count, a rate per 100,000 residents, or a percentage change.
• Crime category: Check which offenses are included in “violent” or “property” crime.
• Geography: A state rate, city rate, county rate, and police-agency rate describe different areas.
• Data coverage: Verify whether the figures are reported counts, estimates, or survey results.

Agency-level statistics deserve particular care. A police department’s reported offenses may cover its jurisdiction, which can differ from city boundaries. Some agencies may not submit complete data for every year or offense. The FBI’s transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) also affected the availability and comparability of data, especially during the years when agencies were changing systems.

Reported Crime Is Not the Same as All Crime

FBI figures largely describe offenses known to law enforcement, not every crime that occurs. People may not report incidents for many reasons, including fear, uncertainty about whether an offense occurred, lack of evidence, or concern about the consequences of reporting. Reporting rates can differ by offense type and community.

The National Crime Victimization Survey offers a complementary perspective by asking people in the United States about certain crimes they experienced, whether or not they contacted police. It does not cover every offense or every population, and its estimates have their own limitations. Used together, police data and survey data provide a more complete picture than either source alone.

For public safety decisions, crime statistics should be considered alongside other evidence, such as local incident maps, police reports, emergency service information, and community resources. No single dataset can establish that a particular block, town, or person is safe or unsafe.

How to Check Crime in a Specific North Dakota Community

People looking for local information can start with the city or county law enforcement agency serving the area. Many agencies publish annual reports, crime dashboards, or incident maps. These sources may show recent activity in more detail than statewide annual estimates, although their methods and update schedules vary.

1. Identify the jurisdiction. Confirm which agency serves the address or neighborhood, especially near city and county boundaries.
2. Look at multiple years. A multi-year view can help distinguish a lasting pattern from a short-term fluctuation.
3. Compare similar places. Use consistent definitions and rates rather than comparing a city’s raw count with a state rate.
4. Review the offense details. A broad total may obscure differences between theft, assault, burglary, and other offenses.
5. Check local context. Read agency notes about data coverage, boundaries, and changes in reporting.

For immediate safety concerns or active incidents, local authorities—not historical crime statistics—are the appropriate source of guidance. Statewide rates are designed for broad comparisons and planning, not real-time alerts.

What the Crime Rate Means for Residents

The 2023 FBI comparison indicates that North Dakota’s statewide violent crime rate was below the national average, and its property crime rate was below the national rate as well. That is a useful summary, but it should not be mistaken for a guarantee about any particular place or year.

For a practical assessment, residents can combine statewide data with recent local reports and straightforward precautions. Locking vehicles and homes, keeping valuables out of view, using exterior lighting, and following local emergency guidance can reduce common opportunities for theft. Such measures do not eliminate risk, but they address everyday situations more directly than a state ranking.

Reliable Sources for North Dakota Crime Statistics

• FBI Crime Data Explorer — state and agency crime data, definitions, and downloadable information.
• FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program — information on national crime reporting and data methods.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics — national crime victimization survey findings and justice statistics.
• North Dakota Office of the Attorney General — state law enforcement resources and crime-related information.

Bottom line: North Dakota’s 2023 crime rates were below U.S. averages for both violent and property crime, based on rounded FBI estimates. For decisions about a specific community, the most useful next step is to check recent local data and confirm how the agency defines and reports its figures.