Is Bismarck or Dickinson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dickinson is safer than Bismarck (Safety Score 40/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,003 per 100,000 versus 2,678 for Bismarck — 25% lower. Bismarck has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dickinson has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Bismarck is 3.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bismarck — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dickinson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
Dickinson, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | Dickinson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 2,003.2 | +674.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 297.1 | -19.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 8.0 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 40.1 | +4.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 8.0 | +52.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 240.9 | -70.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 1,706.1 | +693.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 176.6 | +70.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 1,389.0 | +533.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 140.5 | +89.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or Dickinson safer?
Dickinson is safer with a total crime rate of 2,003 per 100K vs 2,678 for Bismarck — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while Dickinson has 297.1. Bismarck has lower violent crime.
About Bismarck, ND
Bismarck, North Dakota, the state capital, sits on the east bank of the Missouri River. Named for German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, it's a regional hub with a growing population of over 70,000. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 75,546, Bismarck has a total crime rate of 2,677.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Dickinson, ND
Dickinson, North Dakota, a prairie city in the badlands, was founded in 1881 as a stop on the Northern Pacific Railway. It's home to Dickinson State University and experiences a semi-arid climate, making it susceptible to drought. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 24,910, Dickinson has a total crime rate of 2,003.2 per 100,000 residents.