F
268%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
77%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
304%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBemidji/100k peopleMinnesota/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,309n/a (estimate)8,5462,2472,324
Murder0n/a0.03.26.3
Rape25n/a163.240.740.0
Robbery13n/a84.957.066.1
Assault62n/a404.8179.7268.2
Violent crime100n/a (estimate)653281370
Burglary85n/a554.9214.2269.8
Theft1,076n/a7,024.91,464.81,401.9
Vehicle theft48n/a313.4287.9282.7
Property crime1,209n/a (estimate)7,8931,9671,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bemidji, MN

The Bemidji crime rates are 267.7% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 100 violent crimes in Bemidji (653 per 100,000 people), which is 76.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1209 property crimes (7893 per 100,000 residents) which is 303.9% higher than average.

With a total of 8546 crimes per 100,000 people, the Bemidji crime rates stand at 267.7 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Bemidji, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

During the most recently reported crime year, Bemidji experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Bemidji faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 7893 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Bemidji stands at 1 in 13, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bemidji?

AreaVibes surveyed 67 local residents in Bemidji to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 28% of people answered that there was very little crime in Bemidji and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 72% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Bemidji a Safe Place to Live?

Is Bemidji a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Bemidji has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 268%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 3.59 daily incidents, encompassing 0.27 violent crimes and 3.31 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Bemidji as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Bemidji Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Bemidji has increased by 1.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Bemidji, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 16.3%, while property crime has increased by 0.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Bemidji is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bemidji

In Bemidji, the poverty rate currently stands at 28%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Bemidji crime rates.

In Bemidji, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.1%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Bemidji crime rates.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Bemidji, the average monthly rent stands at $860, while the national average is $949 per month.

Bemidji crime map



The Bemidji crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Bemidji as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Bemidji crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Bemidji crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Bemidji, MN Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Bemidji crime rates are 268% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Bemidji are 77% higher than the national average
      • In Bemidji you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Bemidji is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Bemidji has increased by 3%

      Bemidji, MN Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Bemidji (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Bemidji on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Minnesota and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Bemidji (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Minnesota, are 3.80 times more than the state average and 3.68 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Bemidji on a daily basis are 2.33 times more than than Minnesota average and 1.77 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Bemidji are 4.01 times more than the daily state average and 4.04 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Bemidji (higher is better)

        How safe is Bemidji, Minnesota compared to other cities in Minnesota and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Bemidji is safer than 1% of the cities in Minnesota and 5% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Minnesota and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Bemidji. Overall, Bemidji is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Bemidji

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Bemidji is 1 in 154
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Bemidji is 1 in 13
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Bemidji is 1 in 12
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Bemidji? In Bemidji, MN you have a 1 in 154 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Bemidji.

        Year Over Year Crime In Bemidji (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Bemidji, Minnesota (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Bemidji has increased by 18%, the amount of property crime in Bemidji has increased by 2%, and the total amount of crime in Bemidji has increased by 3% year over year.

        Bemidji police department

        Item Bemidji Minnesota National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)317,759558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.31.83.3
        There are a total of 31 Bemidji police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 25.1% greater than the Minnesota average and 30.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Minnesota

        State Total offenders Minnesota /100K National /100K
        Minnesota1,28326266
        There are a total of 1,283 sex offenders in Minnesota. This yields a total of 26 sex offenders in Minnesota per 100,000 residents which is 90% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Turtle River, MN853452,4122,757
        Wilton, MN1583532,4722,825
        Tenstrike, MN1903662,5632,929
        Solway, MN624112,8763,287
        Cass Lake, MN8964543,1793,633
        Bemidji, MN15,2776537,8938,546

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Salida, CA15,2696423,0103,652
        St. Simons, GA15,291140644784
        Bradley, IL15,2963552,0792,434
        Bay Village, OH15,25844322366
        Chubbuck, ID15,3012572,5362,793
        Bemidji, MN15,2776537,8938,546
        Source: The Bemidji, MN crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.