F
105%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
67%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
112%
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 peopleFargo/100k peopleNorth Dakota/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime6,081n/a (estimate)4,7642,2742,324
Murder5n/a3.93.56.3
Rape144n/a112.856.740.0
Robbery116n/a90.927.666.1
Assault522n/a408.9191.8268.2
Violent crime787n/a (estimate)617280370
Burglary1,075n/a842.2357.9269.8
Theft3,534n/a2,768.51,381.31,401.9
Vehicle theft685n/a536.6255.6282.7
Property crime5,294n/a (estimate)4,1471,9951,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Fargo, ND

The Fargo crime rates are 105% 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 787 violent crimes in Fargo (617 per 100,000 people), which is 66.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 5294 property crimes (4147 per 100,000 residents) which is 112.2% higher than average.

Having a crime rate of 4764 per 100,000 residents, Fargo experiences a crime rate that is 104.97% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Fargo contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Every year, one in 25 people fall victim to a property crime in Fargo - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 4147 per 100,000 people, Fargo has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.

With a total of 685 vehicle thefts last year, Fargo has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 537 per 100,000 people. This lands Fargo in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 187.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Fargo?

What do the local residents think about crime in Fargo? Well, based on a recent survey of 68 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 44% of Fargo residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 56% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Fargo a Safe Place to Live?

Is Fargo 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, Fargo has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 105%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 16.66 daily incidents, encompassing 2.16 violent crimes and 14.5 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Fargo as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Fargo Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Fargo. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Fargo has decreased by 2%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 19.6%, while property crime has decreased by 4.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Fargo.

Potential Causes for Crime in Fargo

Fargo reports an unemployment rate of 2.9%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Fargo crime rates.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Fargo, there are 1.46 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

In Fargo, the average rental rates are $821 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Fargo crime map



The Fargo crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Fargo 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 Fargo crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Fargo 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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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Fargo crime rates are 105% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Fargo are 67% higher than the national average
      • In Fargo you have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Fargo is safer than 8% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Fargo has decreased by 2%

      Fargo, ND Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Fargo (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Fargo for every 100,000 residents. The Fargo total amount of daily crime is 2.09 times more than the North Dakota average and 2.05 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Fargo, is 2.21 times more than the North Dakota average, and it is 1.67 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Fargo has a daily crime average that is 2.08 times more than the North Dakota average and 2.12 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Fargo (higher is better)

        How safe is Fargo, North Dakota compared to other cities in North Dakota and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Fargo is safer than 0% of the cities in North Dakota and 8% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in North Dakota and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Fargo. Overall, Fargo is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Fargo

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fargo is 1 in 163
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Fargo is 1 in 25
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Fargo is 1 in 21
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Fargo? In Fargo, ND you have a 1 in 163 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 25 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Fargo.

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

        Determining whether Fargo is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Fargo violent crime rates have increased by 19%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 5% year over year. Total crimes for Fargo has decreased by 2% in the same time frame.

        Fargo police department

        Item Fargo North Dakota National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)160842558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.52.63.3
        There are a total of 160 Fargo police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 44.7% less than the North Dakota average and 55.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in North Dakota

        State Total offenders North Dakota /100K National /100K
        North Dakota1,982293266
        There are a total of 1,982 sex offenders in North Dakota. This yields a total of 293 sex offenders in North Dakota per 100,000 residents which is 10% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Horace, ND2,84763449512
        Oxbow, ND249113806919
        Briarwood, ND80113806919
        Reile's Acres, ND6701258901,015
        Glyndon, MN1,36201,1421,142
        Prairie Rose, ND401491,0591,208
        Frontier, ND1511631,1641,327
        Fargo, ND123,5506174,1474,764

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Berkeley, CA123,0655815,6446,224
        Norman, OK124,0863032,7523,056
        Victorville, CA122,9589401,8122,753
        Columbia, MO122,6594722,6153,086
        Odessa, TX122,6305202,0682,588
        Fargo, ND123,5506174,1474,764
        Source: The Fargo, ND 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.