Flathead County Crime & Safety

Flathead County, Montana

Safety Score

19/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2119.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

386.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1733.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

19/100

Higher = safer

State avg 59/100

State Safety Rank

#49

of 56 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County Remains Below National Rates

Flathead County has a total crime rate of 2,119.8 per 100,000, which stays below the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a respectable safety score of 96.7 for this high-growth region.

Above-Average Activity in Flathead

The county's crime rate of 2,119.8 is nearly double the Montana state average of 1,112.5. This makes it one of the more active areas in the state, falling below the average state safety score of 98.2.

Higher Crime Than Neighboring Gallatin

Flathead County's crime rate is higher than Gallatin County's 1,800.6, reflecting the challenges of its popular tourist destinations. Local authorities manage four reporting agencies to handle this increased volume.

Property Crime Dominates the Data

Property crime sits at 1,733.8 per 100,000, which is the primary driver of local statistics. The violent crime rate is 386.0, which is slightly above the national average of 369.8.

Smart Security for Growing Areas

Given the higher property crime rate, residents should invest in smart home security systems. Always lock vehicles and secure outdoor equipment to deter opportunistic theft in the valley.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Flathead County, MT?

Flathead County has a total crime rate of 2119.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (386.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1733.8 per 100K).

Is Flathead County, MT safe?

Flathead County has a safety score of 19/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #49 out of 56 counties in Montana for safety (1 = safest).

How does Flathead County crime compare to the Montana average?

What types of crime are most common in Flathead County?

Property crime sits at 1,733.8 per 100,000, which is the primary driver of local statistics. The violent crime rate is 386.0, which is slightly above the national average of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Flathead County?

Crime data for Flathead County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Flathead County?

Flathead County has a safety score of 19/100, which is below the Montana average of 59/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.