Is Meridian or Rathdrum Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Rathdrum (Safety Score 85/100 vs 78/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 914 for Rathdrum — 21% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rathdrum has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rathdrum — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Rathdrum, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Rathdrum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 914.4 | -196.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 64.2 | +82.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 8.0 | +21.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 0.0 | +10.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 56.2 | +49.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 850.2 | -278.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 136.4 | -84.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 673.8 | -191.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 40.1 | -3.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Rathdrum safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 914 for Rathdrum — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Rathdrum has 64.2. Rathdrum has lower violent crime.
About Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Rathdrum, ID
Rathdrum, Idaho, a historic railroad town, sits in the northern panhandle amidst lakes and mountains. Its population of around 10,000 has grown significantly, attracting new residents to the scenic Rathdrum Prairie. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 12,467, Rathdrum has a total crime rate of 914.4 per 100,000 residents.