Is Prior Lake or West Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Fargo is safer than Prior Lake (Safety Score 67/100 vs 67/100), with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100,000 versus 1,179 for Prior Lake — 0% lower. Prior Lake has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 42% lower rate.
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Prior Lake, MN
West Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Prior Lake | West Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,178.9 | 1,178.1 | +0.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 106.5 | 163.8 | -57.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 2.4 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 32.0 | 53.8 | -21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.1 | 12.2 | -5.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 63.9 | 95.3 | -31.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,072.3 | 1,014.3 | +58.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.9 | 232.2 | -168.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 955.2 | 689.2 | +265.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.3 | 92.9 | -39.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prior Lake or West Fargo safer?
West Fargo is safer with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100K vs 1,179 for Prior Lake — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Prior Lake has a violent crime rate of 106.5 per 100K while West Fargo has 163.8. Prior Lake has lower violent crime.
About Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 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.