Is Fargo or West Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Fargo is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 67/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 72% lower. Fargo has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Fargo has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Fargo is 3.3x 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
West Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
West Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | West Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 1,178.1 | +3,017.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 163.8 | +334.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 2.4 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 53.8 | +48.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 12.2 | +65.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 95.3 | +218.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 1,014.3 | +2,682.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 232.2 | +509.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 689.2 | +1,911.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 92.9 | +261.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or West Fargo safer?
West Fargo is safer with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while West Fargo has 163.8. West Fargo 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 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.