10 Safest Towns in Montana

10 Safest Towns in Montana

Where Big Sky Living Comes with Peace of Mind

Safety is one of the top reasons people choose Montana. Using FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, we ranked Montana communities with published crime statistics by overall safety score, violent crime rate, and property crime rate. These towns combine low crime with the outdoor access and small-town character that define Big Sky Country.

#1
DarbyWhere the Bitterroot Begins
Pop. 783

Darby earns a safety score of 10/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 0 per 100k; property crime rate: 0 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 10/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 0Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 0Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 783How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#2
BridgerThe Heart of Clark's Fork Valley
Pop. 719

Bridger earns a safety score of 10/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 138.5 per 100k; property crime rate: 0 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 10/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 138.5Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 0Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 719How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#3
ColstripMontana's Energy Capital
Pop. 2,055

Colstrip earns a safety score of 9.7/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 49.73 per 100k; property crime rate: 248.63 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 9.7/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 49.73Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 248.63Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 2,055How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#4
BakerThe Heart of Fallon County
Pop. 1,780

Baker earns a safety score of 9.5/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 55.04 per 100k; property crime rate: 385.25 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 9.5/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 55.04Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 385.25Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 1,780How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#5
PlainsThe Garden of the Clark Fork
Pop. 1,106

Plains earns a safety score of 9.1/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 80.19 per 100k; property crime rate: 561.35 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 9.1/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 80.19Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 561.35Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 1,106How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#6
StevensvilleMontana's First Settlement
Pop. 1,337

Stevensville earns a safety score of 9/10 and is among the safest communities in the state. Violent crime rate: 307.29 per 100k; property crime rate: 395.08 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 9/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 307.29Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 395.08Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 1,337How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#7
ManhattanThe Seed Potato Capital of the World
Pop. 2,288

Manhattan earns a safety score of 8.9/10 and is notably safer than many Montana peers. Violent crime rate: 187.35 per 100k; property crime rate: 562.06 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 8.9/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 187.35Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 562.06Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 2,288How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#8
GlendiveThe Paddlefish Capital of the World
Pop. 4,873

Glendive earns a safety score of 8.8/10 and is notably safer than many Montana peers. Violent crime rate: 376.18 per 100k; property crime rate: 438.87 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 8.8/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 376.18Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 438.87Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 4,873How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#9
DillonMontana's Hometown
Pop. 3,880

Dillon earns a safety score of 8.7/10 and is notably safer than many Montana peers. Violent crime rate: 355.37 per 100k; property crime rate: 544.9 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 8.7/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 355.37Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 544.9Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 3,880How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#10
Hot SpringsMontana's Natural Spa
Pop. 557

Hot Springs earns a safety score of 8.6/10 and is notably safer than many Montana peers. Violent crime rate: 160 per 100k; property crime rate: 800 per 100k (FBI UCR).

Safety Score: 8.6/10Based on FBI crime reporting for the community. A higher score (closer to 10) means lower reported crime rates.Violent / 100k: 160Reported violent crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers are safer on this measure.Property / 100k: 800Reported property crimes per 100,000 residents (FBI data). Lower numbers mean less theft and similar crimes reported.Population: 557How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by FBI UCR-derived safety score (higher is safer), then by total crime rate per 100,000 residents as a tiebreaker. Only towns with published UCR coverage in our dataset are included. Crime rates can vary year to year; verify current conditions with local sources. Data source: FBI UCR (see collection date below).

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jul 2026), FBI UCR (Mar 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jul 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jul 2026), EPA NPL (Jul 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

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