Is Fargo or Grand Forks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Forks is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 25/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,641 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 37% lower. Fargo has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Grand Forks has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Fargo is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Forks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
Grand Forks, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | Grand Forks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 2,640.7 | +1,554.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 358.6 | +139.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 5.1 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 73.1 | +29.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 27.2 | +50.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 253.2 | +60.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 2,282.2 | +1,414.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 256.6 | +484.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 1,874.3 | +726.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 151.2 | +203.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or Grand Forks safer?
Grand Forks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,641 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while Grand Forks has 358.6. Grand Forks has lower violent crime.
About Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 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.