Is Bismarck or Grand Forks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Forks is safer than Bismarck (Safety Score 25/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,641 per 100,000 versus 2,678 for Bismarck — 1% lower. Bismarck has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bismarck has a 74% lower rate.
Bismarck — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Forks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
Grand Forks, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | Grand Forks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 2,640.7 | +37.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 358.6 | -80.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 5.1 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 73.1 | -28.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 27.2 | +33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 253.2 | -82.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 2,282.2 | +117.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 256.6 | -9.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 1,874.3 | +47.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 151.2 | +79.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or Grand Forks safer?
Grand Forks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,641 per 100K vs 2,678 for Bismarck — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while Grand Forks has 358.6. 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 Grand Forks, ND
Grand Forks, a city on the Red River, is home to the University of North Dakota. Its economy is influenced by agriculture and the nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base, reflecting its position in the flat, fertile Red River Valley. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 58,848, Grand Forks has a total crime rate of 2,640.7 per 100,000 residents.