Yellowstone County Crime & Safety

Yellowstone County, Montana

Safety Score

3/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

4406.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

771.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3635.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

3/100

Higher = safer

State avg 59/100

State Safety Rank

#55

of 56 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Yellowstone County, Montana

Yellowstone County Crime Trends

Yellowstone County has a safety score of 93.0 and a total crime rate of 4,406.6 per 100,000 residents. This rate is nearly double the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Below State Average

The county's safety score of 93.0 is significantly lower than the Montana state average of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 4,406.6 is nearly four times higher than the state average of 1,112.5.

High Activity Relative to Neighbors

Yellowstone County reports much more crime than nearby Sweet Grass or Treasure counties. It serves as a major hub, which often contributes to higher incident numbers.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

Property crime is high at 3,635.1 per 100,000, while violent crime reaches 771.5. Both figures significantly exceed the national averages for property and violent offenses.

Enhancing Your Home Security

Given the higher rates of property crime, residents should invest in home security systems and bright lighting. Vigilance and reporting suspicious activity can help reduce local crime rates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Yellowstone County, MT?

Yellowstone County has a total crime rate of 4406.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (771.5 per 100K) and property crimes (3635.1 per 100K).

Is Yellowstone County, MT safe?

Yellowstone County has a safety score of 3/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #55 out of 56 counties in Montana for safety (1 = safest).

How does Yellowstone County crime compare to the Montana average?

The county's safety score of 93.0 is significantly lower than the Montana state average of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 4,406.6 is nearly four times higher than the state average of 1,112.5.

What types of crime are most common in Yellowstone County?

Property crime is high at 3,635.1 per 100,000, while violent crime reaches 771.5. Both figures significantly exceed the national averages for property and violent offenses.

How is crime data measured and reported for Yellowstone County?

Crime data for Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County?

Yellowstone County has a safety score of 3/100, 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.