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C-

Is Grand Forks, North Dakota Safe?

Population 60,365 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Grand Forks means there's room for concern. The 234.9 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,381 per 100K.

Grand Forks Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGrand ForksNorth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate421.3328.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1927.41989.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate287.0--268.2
Theft Rate1381.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate488.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

234.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

421/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1927/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Grand Forks

Violent crime in Grand Forks is above the national average. The rate of 421.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1927.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,381 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Grand Forks Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault287
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery82
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary257
095% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,381
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft488
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Grand Forks Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Grand Forks
421.3
State
328.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Grand Forks
1927.4
State
1989.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Forks Safety

Is Grand Forks safe?
Not especially. Grand Forks earns a C- with a crime rate of 234.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Grand Forks?
234.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 421.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1927.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Grand Forks safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Grand Forks's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,381 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Grand Forks?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Grand Forks generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Grand Forks police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Grand Forks?
No. Crime in Grand Forks has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Grand Forks compare to other cities in North Dakota?
Below average for the state. Grand Forks ranks behind about 71% of North Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Grand Forks to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Grand Forks?
Bad. A C- grade and 234.9 per-thousand rate put Grand Forks below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 421 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Grand Forks?
421.3 per 100,000, which is 16% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (287), robbery (82), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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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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