Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Williston, ND has a Safety Score of 23/100 — higher crime than 77% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,752.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,279 of 2,971 US cities and #7 of 9 in North Dakota.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Williston, North Dakota Safe?
Williston, a hub in the Bakken oil region, sits near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. This city of over 29,000 residents experienced a significant population boom during the 21st-century oil boom, a testament to its role in the state's energy economy.
Williston has a safety score of 23/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,752.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Williston ranks #7 out of 9 cities in North Dakota and #2279 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 23rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 77% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Williston is rape, at 77.2 per 100K — 1.8x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Williston's total crime rate decreased by 9.8%, with violent crime declining 6.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Williston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 119 | 437.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 21 | 77.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 18.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 93 | 341.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 630 | 2,315.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 93 | 341.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 475 | 1,745.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 62 | 227.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Williston vs North Dakota Average
How does Williston's crime rate compare to the North Dakota state average?
| Metric | Williston | North Dakota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 437.3 | 354.0 | +23.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,315.2 | 2,471.4 | -6.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,752.6 | 2,825.4 | -2.6% |
Williston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Williston, North Dakota.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27,211 | 2,752.6 | 437.3 | 2,315.2 |
| 2023 | 25,964 | 3,050.4 | 469.9 | 2,580.5 |
| 2022 | 25,513 | 2,649.6 | 497.8 | 2,151.8 |
| 2021 | 31,680 | 1,638.3 | 293.6 | 1,344.7 |
| 2020 | 31,046 | 2,708.9 | 370.4 | 2,338.5 |
| 2019 | 28,966 | 3,203.8 | 459.2 | 2,744.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williston, North Dakota safe?
Williston has a safety score of 23/100, meaning it has less crime than about 23% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,752.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Williston is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Williston, North Dakota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Williston has a violent crime rate of 437.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,315.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Williston compare to the national average?
Williston's total crime rate of 2,752.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 27,211 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Williston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Williston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Williston safe to visit?
Like any city, Williston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 23/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.