CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C

Is Helena, Montana Safe?

Population 35,138 · Safer than 37% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 35,138, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Helena earns a C with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,373 per 100K.

Helena Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHelenaMontana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate346.6356.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1753.22091.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate288.0--268.2
Theft Rate1373.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate403.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

210 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

347/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1753/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Helena

Violent crime in Helena is close to the national average. The rate of 346.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1753.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,373 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Helena Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault288
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary236
087% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,373
098% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft403
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Helena Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Helena
346.6
State
356.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Helena
1753.2
State
2091.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Helena Safety

Is Helena safe?
Not especially. Helena earns a C with a crime rate of 210 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Helena?
210 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 346.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1753.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Helena safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Helena has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Helena?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Helena generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Helena police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Helena?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Helena's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Helena compare to other cities in Montana?
Below average for the state. Helena ranks behind about 61% of Montana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Helena to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Helena?
Mixed. Violent crime is close to the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 37th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Helena?
346.6 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (288), robbery (65), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Montana

Similar-sized communities in Montana. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Kalispell31,851 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Belgrade13,107 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Bozeman58,814 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Great Falls60,208 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Missoula78,903 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Billings121,239 pop · Grade D
View all Montana city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Helena

Get weekly safety updates for Helena

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities