Lewis and Clark County Crime & Safety

Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Safety Score

14/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2490.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

499.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1990.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

14/100

Higher = safer

State avg 59/100

State Safety Rank

#50

of 56 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Lewis and Clark’s National Safety Profile

Lewis and Clark County reports a total crime rate of 2,490.0 per 100,000 residents, placing it slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county earns a high safety score of 96.1 out of 100. This indicates that while incidents occur, the overall environment remains safer than many comparable US regions.

Comparing Crime to the Montana Average

The county's total crime rate is more than double the Montana state average of 1,112.5 per 100,000 residents. Its safety score of 96.1 trails the state average of 98.2. Local law enforcement agencies face a higher call volume here than in most other Montana jurisdictions.

Lewis and Clark vs Regional Neighbors

Lewis and Clark sees significantly more activity than neighboring Meagher County, where the crime rate is a low 205.3 per 100,000. However, it remains safer than Missoula County, which struggles with a much higher rate of 3,111.1. The county sits in a middle ground for safety within Western Montana.

Breakdown of Violent and Property Crimes

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 1,990.6 per 100,000, which is just below the national average. Violent crime stands at 499.4 per 100,000, exceeding the national figure of 369.8. These numbers reflect reporting from three active agencies within the county.

Prioritizing Security in Lewis and Clark

With property crime accounting for the majority of incidents, home security remains a smart investment for residents. Installing motion-sensor lighting and smart locks can effectively deter opportunistic theft. Consistent community vigilance helps maintain the county’s overall safety ranking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lewis and Clark County, MT?

Lewis and Clark County has a total crime rate of 2490.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (499.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1990.6 per 100K).

Is Lewis and Clark County, MT safe?

Lewis and Clark County has a safety score of 14/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #50 out of 56 counties in Montana for safety (1 = safest).

How does Lewis and Clark County crime compare to the Montana average?

What types of crime are most common in Lewis and Clark County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Lewis and Clark County?

Crime data for Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark County?

Lewis and Clark County has a safety score of 14/100, 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.