Violent
Property
Total
Helena, MT Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 35,238
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Helena, Montana Safe?
Helena has a safety score of 43/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,096.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Helena ranks #4 out of 7 cities in Montana and #2443 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 18th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 82% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Helena is rape, at 116.4 per 100K — 2.7x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Helena's total crime rate decreased by 15.4%, with violent crime declining 24.1%.
Helena Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 181 | 513.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 2.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 41 | 116.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 10 | 28.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 129 | 366.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 910 | 2,582.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 82 | 232.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 779 | 2,210.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 49 | 139.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Helena vs Montana Average
How does Helena's crime rate compare to the Montana state average?
| Metric | Helena | Montana Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 513.7 | 576.6 | -10.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,582.4 | 2,872.9 | -10.1% |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 3.3 | -12.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,096.1 | 3,449.5 | -10.2% |
Helena Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Helena, Montana.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35,238 | 3,096.1 | 513.7 | 2,582.4 |
| 2023 | 34,744 | 3,658.2 | 676.4 | 2,981.8 |
| 2022 | 33,896 | 4,038.8 | 770.0 | 3,268.8 |
| 2021 | 34,262 | 3,931.5 | 688.8 | 3,242.7 |
| 2020 | 33,629 | 4,314.7 | 648.3 | 3,666.5 |
| 2019 | 32,806 | 4,846.7 | 579.2 | 4,267.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena, Montana safe?
Helena has a safety score of 43/100. With a total crime rate of 3,096.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Helena is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Helena, Montana?
According to FBI data for 2024, Helena has a violent crime rate of 513.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,582.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Helena compare to the national average?
Helena's total crime rate of 3,096.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 35,238.
What types of crime are most common in Helena?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Helena include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Helena safe to visit?
Like any city, Helena has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 43/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.