Is Bismarck or West Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Fargo is safer than Bismarck (Safety Score 67/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100,000 versus 2,678 for Bismarck — 56% lower. Bismarck has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Fargo has a 80% lower rate.
Bismarck — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
West Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | West Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 1,178.1 | +1,499.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 163.8 | +114.2 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 2.4 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 53.8 | -8.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 12.2 | +48.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 95.3 | +75.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 1,014.3 | +1,385.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 232.2 | +15.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 689.2 | +1,232.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 92.9 | +137.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or West Fargo safer?
West Fargo is safer with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100K vs 2,678 for Bismarck — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while West Fargo has 163.8. West Fargo 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 West Fargo, ND
West Fargo, once known as "Pigeon" for its many passenger pigeons, is a rapidly growing city in Cass County, North Dakota. Situated just west of Fargo, it has seen significant population increases, drawing new residents to its suburban landscape. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 40,915, West Fargo has a total crime rate of 1,178.1 per 100,000 residents.