In Montana, we like to think we're really safe.  Hardly anyone lives here, right? By the end of the year, they figure we'll have a population in the state of 1.13 million.  Compare that to just one real city like Seattle who's at 3,489,000 or Denver at 2,897,000, it puts into perspective just how sparsely populated Montana is.  But low numbers don't mean you're safe.

I checked around to see crime rates in Montana. I went to a couple of sites, Road Snacks and Only In Your State. Compared to most cities, it's pretty low.  However, Montana as a whole, is NOT ranked as a safe place to live.  In fact, it comes in in the 30's to 40's on most lists.  Most of what I saw, it comes down to property crimes and assault and dying on the highway that make us lower on the list.  We're also pretty high on the list for crimes committed by bullies.  Wow, that's quite something to be known for.

Get our free mobile app

Let's take a look at the most dangerous towns, in no particular order. You can click either link to see what I saw.

Billings

Billings has a population right around 110,000.  Burglary, car thefts, property crimes, and an actual murder rate are what stands out here.  Most towns in Montana don't have any.  Billings had 14 murders last year.

I've lived in Billings 3 times.  The first time, in broadcasting school, it felt fairly safe.  Right along the lines of Great Falls at that time. The second time, I did overnights at a radio station where I rode my bike to work a lot of the time.  There was crime, but it seemed to only really be downtown.  The 3rd time, my GOD what a difference.  It was honestly a bit scary.  The station I worked at was downtown, and that's where a large portion of the crime goes on.  Locals call it the South Side.  I had a guy walk into my house the second week I lived there, go right into my bathroom, do his business, then come out and demand meth.  It was quite the experience.  I got a new place to live the next day because the police did one thing and one thing only.  They told me to move.

Helena

Helena is said to have it's fair share of property crimes and violent crimes.  The thing that disturbs me the most about Helena is how rapey it is.  There are A LOT of rapes in Helena.  57 last year. 

Personally, I like Helena.  I love the Montana History Museum and the carousel.  Looks like women need to be even MORE careful when visiting our capitol city.

Havre

Havre was surprisingly high for crime, considering a population just under 10,000. There are a significant number of property crimes and assaults and violent crime.  Wow, Havre, who knew.  

Cutbank

Cutbank only has a population of around 2,500 which makes their 23 violent crimes and 78 property crimes quite high.  Maybe it's because it's just so damn cold there.  

Missoula

Missoula is the 3rd biggest town in Montana with a population of just over 75,000 and ranks pretty high for property theft, burglaries and car theft.  Violent crime in Missoula gets a dishonorable mention with 4 murders.

Wolf Point

With a population just under 3,000, it really is surprising how many violent crimes happen here.  There were 33 just last year. 

Great Falls

Yep, with a population just under 60,000, Great Falls is known for property crimes, in fact, Great Falls has the most property crimes of anywhere else in the state, 2,999 last year.  Neat.  Violent crime is still a pretty big thing, there were 266 of those last year and no murders.

Living in Great Falls, I must say, it's true.  I know people who have been robbed, have pictures of the people robbing them and videos of the actual crimes, and absolutely nothing was done.  Until something IS done, Great Falls will continue to lead the state in property crimes. That makes me really sad.