Pondera County Crime & Safety

Pondera County, Montana

Safety Score

52/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1085.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

116.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

968.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

52/100

Higher = safer

State avg 59/100

State Safety Rank

#34

of 56 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Pondera County, Montana

Pondera County Excels in Public Safety

Pondera County boasts a total crime rate of 1,085.7 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 98.3 indicates a very secure community for residents. Living here offers a level of protection far beyond most parts of the country.

Meeting the Montana Standard for Safety

Pondera County’s safety score of 98.3 slightly exceeds the Montana state average of 98.2. With a crime rate of 1,085.7, it sits just below the state average of 1,112.5. These numbers confirm that the county is a typical, safe Montana community.

Comparing Pondera to Nearby Counties

Pondera County is safer than Powell County, which reports a crime rate of 1,157.5 per 100,000. However, it sees more activity than Powder River County, which reports a remarkably low rate of 56.4. The county maintains a consistent middle-ground safety profile for the region.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

The property crime rate of 968.8 makes up the majority of local incidents, though it remains much lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is exceptionally rare at 116.9 per 100,000, which is less than a third of the national rate. Two reporting agencies provide reliable data for these statistics.

Simple Steps for a Safer Home

Since property crime is the primary concern, residents should ensure that vehicles and garages are always locked. Motion-activated lights are a cost-effective way to deter potential intruders during the night. Maintaining a clear line of sight around your property helps eliminate hiding spots for opportunistic thieves.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Pondera County, MT?

Pondera County has a total crime rate of 1085.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (116.9 per 100K) and property crimes (968.8 per 100K).

Is Pondera County, MT safe?

Pondera County has a safety score of 52/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #34 out of 56 counties in Montana for safety (1 = safest).

How does Pondera County crime compare to the Montana average?

What types of crime are most common in Pondera County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Pondera County?

Crime data for Pondera 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 Pondera County?

Pondera County has a safety score of 52/100, 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.