Is Fargo or Williston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Williston is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 23/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,753 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 34% lower. Fargo has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Williston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fargo is 5.0x 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
Williston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
Williston, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | Williston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 2,752.6 | +1,442.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 437.3 | +60.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 0.0 | +4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 77.2 | +25.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 18.4 | +59.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 341.8 | -27.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 2,315.2 | +1,381.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 341.8 | +399.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 1,745.6 | +855.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 227.9 | +126.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or Williston safer?
Williston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,753 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while Williston has 437.3. Williston 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 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.