A-
37%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
51%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
34%
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 peopleWest Fargo/100k peopleNorth Dakota/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime588n/a (estimate)1,4702,2742,324
Murder0n/a0.03.56.3
Rape16n/a40.056.740.0
Robbery3n/a7.527.666.1
Assault54n/a135.0191.8268.2
Violent crime73n/a (estimate)183280370
Burglary92n/a230.1357.9269.8
Theft373n/a932.81,381.31,401.9
Vehicle theft50n/a125.0255.6282.7
Property crime515n/a (estimate)1,2881,9951,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in West Fargo, ND

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in West Fargo is 36.7% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In West Fargo, there were 73 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 183 per 100,000 individuals, 50.6% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 515 property crimes, amounting to 1288 per 100,000 residents, 34.1% lower than the U.S. average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, West Fargo reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in West Fargo?

What do the local residents think about crime in West Fargo? Well, based on a recent survey of 9 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 67% of West Fargo residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 33% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is West Fargo a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in West Fargo, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. West Fargo presents a total crime rate that is 37% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, West Fargo experiences an average of 1.61 daily crimes, comprising 0.2 violent incidents and 1.41 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in West Fargo Increased Since Last Year?

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 West Fargo 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 West Fargo has decreased by 10.9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 12.3% and property crime has decreased by 13.5%.

Potential Causes for Crime in West Fargo

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in West Fargo crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. West Fargo has an unemployment rate of 1%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In West Fargo, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 1.82 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

In West Fargo, the average rental rates are $957 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.

West Fargo crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • West Fargo crime rates are 37% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in West Fargo are 51% lower than the national average
      • In West Fargo you have a 1 in 69 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • West Fargo is safer than 55% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in West Fargo has decreased by 12%

      West Fargo, ND Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around West Fargo

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        See all West Fargo poll results

        Daily Crime In West Fargo (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in West Fargo, ND per 100,000 people. In West Fargo, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.55 times less than the North Dakota average and 1.58 times less than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in West Fargo is 1.53 times less than the North Dakota average and 2.03 times less than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, West Fargo has a daily crime rate that is 1.55 times less than the North Dakota average and 1.52 times less than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is West Fargo (higher is better)

        Is West Fargo safe in comparison to other cities in the state of North Dakota as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in West Fargo to other cities in the state and across the country, West Fargo is 36% safer than other cities of North Dakota and 55% safer than other cities in the nation. West Fargo has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in West Fargo

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in West Fargo is 1 in 548
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in West Fargo is 1 in 78
        The chance of being a victim of crime in West Fargo is 1 in 69
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in West Fargo, North Dakota? If you reside in West Fargo, then there is a 1 in 548 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 78. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 69 risk that you will become a victim of crime in West Fargo.

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

        A good indicator of whether West Fargo is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in West Fargo has increased by 12%, while the property crime rate in West Fargo has decreased by 14% year over year. The number of total crimes in West Fargo has decreased by 12% year over year.

        West Fargo police department

        Item West Fargo North Dakota National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)49842558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.82.63.3
        There are a total of 49 West Fargo police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 30.8% less than the North Dakota average and 44% 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
        Casselton, ND2,738117831948
        Reile's Acres, ND6701258901,015
        Prairie Rose, ND401491,0591,208
        Frontier, ND1511631,1641,327
        West Fargo, ND36,4061831,2881,470

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Owasso, OK36,3951461,5771,723
        Moorpark, CA36,44348602650
        Benton, AR36,3603452,8113,156
        Kearns, UT36,4573422,6823,024
        Phenix City, AL36,4618773,6984,575
        West Fargo, ND36,4061831,2881,470
        Source: The West 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.