| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Fosston/100k people | Minnesota/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 40 | n/a (estimate) | 2,924 | 1,863 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 146.2 | 36.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 48.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 3 | n/a | 219.3 | 168.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 5 | n/a (estimate) | 365 | 257 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1 | n/a | 73.1 | 184.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 34 | n/a | 2,485.4 | 1,208.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 213.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 35 | n/a (estimate) | 2,558 | 1,606 | 1,760 |

The Fosston crime rates are 38% 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 5 violent crimes in Fosston (365 per 100,000 people), which is 1.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 35 property crimes (2558 per 100,000 residents) which is 45.4% higher than average.
Fosston exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 365 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Fosston as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
In the most recently reported crime year, Fosston registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.
The United States contends with some of the world's highest vehicle theft rates, with approximately 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a modest fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to have zero reported instances of stolen vehicles. Fosston stands out as one of these cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report, underscoring its commitment to a secure environment.
To determine if Fosston is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Fosston has a total crime rate that is 38% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.11 daily crimes (0.01 violent daily crimes and 0.1 daily property crimes) in Fosston.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Fosston, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 1.8%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Fosston, the cost of living is 16.11% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
In Fosston, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 0 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Fosston | Minnesota | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | n/a | 7,759 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Minnesota /100K | National /100K |
| Minnesota | 1,283 | 26 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rice Lake, MN | 4,243 | 148 | 927 | 1,075 |
| Bejou, MN | 81 | 345 | 2,153 | 2,498 |
| Gully, MN | 62 | 350 | 2,187 | 2,537 |
| Lengby, MN | 54 | 370 | 2,312 | 2,682 |
| McIntosh, MN | 664 | 377 | 2,356 | 2,733 |
| Winger, MN | 147 | 378 | 2,364 | 2,743 |
| Erskine, MN | 464 | 387 | 2,419 | 2,806 |
| Fosston, MN | 1,499 | 365 | 2,558 | 2,924 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Donald, OR | 1,499 | 135 | 973 | 1,108 |
| Alpine, NJ | 1,499 | 112 | 1,178 | 1,290 |
| Eagle Butte, SD | 1,499 | 200 | 875 | 1,075 |
| Ravenna, NE | 1,498 | 89 | 659 | 748 |
| North Bend, NE | 1,500 | 83 | 614 | 697 |
| Fosston, MN | 1,499 | 365 | 2,558 | 2,924 |