Recently we learned that Montana is one of the most dangerous places to be during the 4th of July because that holiday is one where many people travel, and Montana is known for having may fatal car accidents during that holiday weekend and fatal accidents of different kinds. 

READ MORE: Montana Is One of the Most Dangerous Places to Drive on the 4th of July

But Montanans have also been saying that the state feels less safe in general. For example, the annual report from Missoula's Chief of Police showed that incidents increased in 2023. However, there was a decline in violent crime. 

If this is put in a greater context, Montana is actually safer than you may think. Safety can be measured in various ways, and just as the annual report showed that while incidents were up, violence was down, data shows that Montana is relatively safe compared to other states, especially when looking at data related to homicides and crime. 

READ MORE: Chief Addresses Missoula's Crime Trends in 2023 Annual Report

Safest States in the Country: Montana's Ranking

Using data from the FBI, the website wisevoter.com looked at four measures of safety for all 50 states. See how Montana ranks: 

  • Number of Homicides: Ranked #11 in the Country
  • Homicide Rate: Ranked #28 in the Country
  • Crime Rate: Ranked #13 in the Country
  • Gun Rate Death: Ranked #40 in the Country 

In three measures of safety, Montana ranks below the national average but for the rate of gun deaths per 100,00 people, Montana has 20.9 putting it over the national average of 16. Still, nearly making the top 10 for states with the fewest homicides is another reason to appreciate living in Montana.

10 Montana Cities Ranked by How Diverse They Are

Montana may not be known for its diversity but it is interesting to see the diversity within the state. WalletHub did a 2024 study of diversity in U.S. cities and we've pulled out the Montana cities below. Not all variables from the study are included, but you can get an idea of how diverse each city is.

Gallery Credit: Ashley

More From Z100 Classic Rock