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D-

Is Fargo, North Dakota Safe?

Population 136,275 · Safer than 11% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Fargo has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 289.5 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,727 per 100K.

Fargo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFargoNorth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate344.8328.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2549.81989.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate252.0--268.2
Theft Rate1727.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate607.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

289.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

345/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeF

2550/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Fargo

Violent crime in Fargo is close to the national average. The rate of 344.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2549.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,727 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Fargo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault252
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery47
074% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary308
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,727
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft607
01.9x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Fargo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fargo
344.8
State
328.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fargo
2549.8
State
1989.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fargo Safety

Is Fargo safe?
Not especially. Fargo earns a D- with a crime rate of 289.5 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 Fargo?
289.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 344.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2549.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Fargo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Fargo's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,727 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Fargo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Fargo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Fargo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Fargo?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Fargo's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Fargo compare to other cities in North Dakota?
Below average for the state. Fargo ranks behind about 89% of North Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Fargo 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 Fargo?
Bad. A D- grade and 289.5 per-thousand rate put Fargo below 89% of US cities. Violent crime at 345 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Fargo?
344.8 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (252), robbery (47), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Dakota

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

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View all North Dakota city safety grades

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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.

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