To know Montana is to love Montana — and life in the Treasure State is pretty safe statistically, especially when compared to other parts of the nation and the world. That being said, no place is perfect, and crime does exist everywhere. When you look at the most recent FBI data for crime in Montana and check out the list Road Snacks created, you come up with a list of the most dangerous spots in the state for 2020. But take these numbers with a grain of salt — while it’s always best to be cautious, life remains great is our state.
- Havre
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr Havre did see quite a drop in violent crime rates from 2017-2018, which moved in way down on this list. However, property crime rates are fairly high here, so it still makes the list of Montana’s most dangerous cities.
- Livingston
Kent Kanouse / Flickr Livingston is an overall peaceful place to live. However, there’s no denying that the little city saw an almost 30% increase in violent crime between 2017 and 2018. Local residents also have a one in 35.9 chance of being the victim of a property crime every year.
- Hamilton
A.Davey / Flickr Hamilton is currently the 12th most violent and 7th most dangerous city in Montana. But the city did see a drop in property crime rates between 2017 and 2018.
- Missoula
Frank Fujimoto / Flickr Missoula is a beautiful city to call home, but it isn’t without its crime. From 2017-2018, violent crime rose and property crime rates increased, which earned it a place on this list.
- Ronan
PBS NewsHour / Flickr Ronan is a small city, and it’s the kind of place where your neighbors are sure to know your name. Ronan residents faced a one in 124 chance of being the victim of violence in 2018, which doesn’t sound so bad until you realize that only about 2,100 people live there.
- Billings
Jeff Myers / Flickr Billings is Montana’s largest city, so it makes sense that it has its share of issues. Billings experienced a rise in both violent and property crime between 2017 and 2018, with violence going up by 15% and property crime increasing by 19%. Still, most people who live there are very happy and feel safe.
- Polson
PJ Johnson / Flickr It’s hard not to fall in love with this little town when you visit, especially since it sits right on Flathead Lake. But property crime rates are pretty high here, and violent crime rates went up from 2017-2018 as well.
- Helena
drburtoni / Flickr Our state capital is pretty great, but unfortunately, it comes in second on the list. While violent crime rates dropped from 2017-2018, property crime rates rose substantially, with locals having a one in 18 chance of being a victim of theft or arson.
- Cut Bank
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr How can a place with this adorable penguin be dangerous? Here’s the good news: Cut Bank is still statistically very safe, and locals will agree it’s also a friendly place to call home. But it does top the list of cities for its violent crime rates, which is something worth noting.
Remember, FBI statistics and data don’t tell the entire story. If your city made the list, know that you still live in what is arguably the best state in the country.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Havre did see quite a drop in violent crime rates from 2017-2018, which moved in way down on this list. However, property crime rates are fairly high here, so it still makes the list of Montana’s most dangerous cities.
Kent Kanouse / Flickr
Livingston is an overall peaceful place to live. However, there’s no denying that the little city saw an almost 30% increase in violent crime between 2017 and 2018. Local residents also have a one in 35.9 chance of being the victim of a property crime every year.
A.Davey / Flickr
Hamilton is currently the 12th most violent and 7th most dangerous city in Montana. But the city did see a drop in property crime rates between 2017 and 2018.
Frank Fujimoto / Flickr
Missoula is a beautiful city to call home, but it isn’t without its crime. From 2017-2018, violent crime rose and property crime rates increased, which earned it a place on this list.
PBS NewsHour / Flickr
Ronan is a small city, and it’s the kind of place where your neighbors are sure to know your name. Ronan residents faced a one in 124 chance of being the victim of violence in 2018, which doesn’t sound so bad until you realize that only about 2,100 people live there.
Jeff Myers / Flickr
Billings is Montana’s largest city, so it makes sense that it has its share of issues. Billings experienced a rise in both violent and property crime between 2017 and 2018, with violence going up by 15% and property crime increasing by 19%. Still, most people who live there are very happy and feel safe.
PJ Johnson / Flickr
It’s hard not to fall in love with this little town when you visit, especially since it sits right on Flathead Lake. But property crime rates are pretty high here, and violent crime rates went up from 2017-2018 as well.
drburtoni / Flickr
Our state capital is pretty great, but unfortunately, it comes in second on the list. While violent crime rates dropped from 2017-2018, property crime rates rose substantially, with locals having a one in 18 chance of being a victim of theft or arson.
How can a place with this adorable penguin be dangerous? Here’s the good news: Cut Bank is still statistically very safe, and locals will agree it’s also a friendly place to call home. But it does top the list of cities for its violent crime rates, which is something worth noting.
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Address: Havre, MT 59501, USAAddress: Livingston, MT 59047, USAAddress: Hamilton, MT 59840, USAAddress: Missoula, MT, USAAddress: Ronan, MT 59864, USAAddress: Billings, MT, USAAddress: Polson, MT 59860, USAAddress: Helena, MT, USAAddress: Cut Bank, MT 59427, USA
