Is Bismarck or Williston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bismarck is safer than Williston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100,000 versus 2,753 for Williston — 3% lower. Bismarck has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Williston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Bismarck is 2.8x 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
Williston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
Williston, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | Williston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 2,752.6 | -74.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 437.3 | -159.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 0.0 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 77.2 | -32.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 18.4 | +42.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 341.8 | -171.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 2,315.2 | +84.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 341.8 | -94.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 1,745.6 | +176.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 227.9 | +2.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or Williston safer?
Bismarck is safer with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100K vs 2,753 for Williston — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while Williston has 437.3. 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 Williston, ND
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. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 27,211, Williston has a total crime rate of 2,752.6 per 100,000 residents.