North Dakota vs. Neighbors: How We Stack Up in Public Safety

When it comes to public safety, North Dakotans generally like to think we’re doing pretty well. After all, with a population of just around 800,000, how much trouble can we really get into? Well, according to the latest 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings for public safety, our hunch isn’t far off—we’re holding our own compared to our neighbors.

North Dakota Lands 26th in National Safety Rankings

The rankings, which factor in crime rates and other safety indicators, place North Dakota at number 26 among all 50 states. That lands us just a hair below the national middle, but still comfortably in the safe category. Minnesota fared the best in our region, coming in at 20th, and South Dakota landed close to us at 25th. But our friends out west in Montana scored a bit lower, sitting at 33rd on the list.

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North Dakota Still Seen as a Safe Place to Call Home

So what does this mean for the Peace Garden State? Basically, North Dakota continues to live up to its reputation as a safe place where communities still look out for each other, where crime rates remain relatively low, and where wide-open spaces provide more peace than problems. We may not be in the very top tier, but compared to many other states, North Dakota continues to be a place where families can feel comfortable putting down roots.

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Here's the thing to remember with all this. These rankings always come with a reminder that there’s room for improvement. Whether it’s investing in law enforcement, fire and medical, community programs, or mental health resources, keeping North Dakota safe is a shared effort. But for now, the numbers show what most of us already knew: life in the Peace Garden State is, by and large, pretty safe.