| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wahpeton/100k people | North Dakota/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 194 | n/a (estimate) | 2,427 | 1,936 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.6 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 11 | n/a | 137.6 | 49.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 27.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 8 | n/a | 100.1 | 174.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 19 | n/a (estimate) | 238 | 254 | 359 |
| Burglary | 15 | n/a | 187.6 | 271.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 144 | n/a | 1,801.1 | 1,229.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 16 | n/a | 200.1 | 181.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 175 | n/a (estimate) | 2,189 | 1,682 | 1,760 |
The Wahpeton crime rates are 14.5% 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 19 violent crimes in Wahpeton (238 per 100,000 people), which is 33.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 175 property crimes (2189 per 100,000 residents) which is 24.4% higher than average.
In terms of the total Wahpeton crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Wahpeton, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.
In the latest reported crime year, Wahpeton recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
Is Wahpeton 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, Wahpeton has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 15%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.53 daily incidents, encompassing 0.05 violent crimes and 0.48 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wahpeton as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Wahpeton crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Wahpeton has increased by 7.2% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 42.4% and property crime has increased by 18.2%.
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. Wahpeton, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Wahpeton, 87.7% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Wahpeton, the cost of living is 8.52% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Wahpeton | North Dakota | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 16 | 842 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | North Dakota /100K | National /100K |
| North Dakota | 1,982 | 293 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Breckenridge, MN | 3,273 | 636 | 242 | 879 |
| Colfax, ND | 276 | 268 | 1,772 | 2,039 |
| Mooreton, ND | 149 | 314 | 2,080 | 2,395 |
| Abercrombie, ND | 270 | 317 | 2,102 | 2,420 |
| Great Bend, ND | 57 | 322 | 2,130 | 2,451 |
| Kent, MN | 42 | 352 | 2,197 | 2,549 |
| Doran, MN | 14 | 366 | 2,287 | 2,653 |
| Wahpeton, ND | 7,963 | 238 | 2,189 | 2,427 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Colonie, NY | 7,965 | 355 | 1,606 | 1,961 |
| Sebastopol, CA | 7,965 | 423 | 1,581 | 2,004 |
| Lincolnshire, IL | 7,966 | 63 | 899 | 962 |
| South Cleveland, TN | 7,971 | 532 | 1,826 | 2,358 |
| St. Francis, MN | 7,954 | 223 | 809 | 1,031 |
| Wahpeton, ND | 7,963 | 238 | 2,189 | 2,427 |
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