8 Safest Small Communities To Settle In North Dakota
North Dakota has a reputation for being an exceptionally safe state, which is partially due to its sparse population. Although it is the 19th largest state, fewer than 750,000 people call it home. In the last two decades of the 20th century, the state’s two primary sources of revenue, agriculture and fossil fuels, became unreliable sources of income. Consequently, fewer young people were starting careers as farmers or ranchers due to the high overhead costs and low income, and instead migrated to urban areas or out of state.
With fewer people populating the state, the North Dakota spirit of self-reliance and cooperation has shone through in its smaller communities. The result is a safe environment, with violent crime in North Dakota averaging about 2.9 per 100,000 people, compared with roughly 4 per 100,000 nationally. These are the eight safest small communities to settle in North Dakota.
Hazen
Hazen is in the South Shore Region, minutes away from Lake Sakakawea. The town boasts a robust economy, featuring a well-established business district, a diverse range of restaurants, medical facilities, and numerous other services. Its violent crime rates have been consistently low within the last five years in comparison to state and national levels for aggravated assault and homicide. However, it has experienced a couple of spikes in aggravated assault between its ordinarily low levels.
Hazen is proud of its abundance of parks. Paul Weiser Pocket Park offers a covered shelter with picnic tables, a wall mural, and a sensory garden featuring fresh flowers and plants. Access Lake Sakakawea from Hazen Bay Recreation Area in the summer, complete with lodging and a boat dock. Visit Groundation Coffee, a unique business in town combining a boutique, gift shop, and coffee shop all in one.
Rugby
Rugby regards itself as the center of North America. While that topic may be up for debate, there is no denying that Rugby boasts excellent education, community engagement and activation, and ample business opportunities. While there have been a handful of aggravated assault spikes within the last five years that have taken Rugby’s levels higher above state and national levels, its homicide rate has remained at a consistent baseline of zero incidents per 100,000 residents.
Visit the Geographical Center of North America Monument, which is represented as a stone cairn that is pyramid-shaped, standing at 21 feet high and 6 feet wide at its base. Learn the history of the people who made their homes on the North Dakota plains at the Prairie Village Museum, which features 20 historic buildings. The Northern Lights Tower and Interpretive Center is an illuminated 88 and 1/2-foot-tall steel structure dedicated to one of the most stunning natural phenomena - the Aurora Borealis.
Stanley
Stanley is located in Mountrail County, known for its charming community. It is considered a great place to live, set up a business, or retire - and for good reason. While it has had sporadic spikes of aggravated assault within the last five years, the times in between have been consistent at zero. Furthermore, its baseline for homicide sat at the same level, apart from one surge in 2024.
Nature lovers will love exploring Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, which not only contains one of the largest publicly owned tracts of northern mixed grass prairie in the United States, but also has an array of recreational opportunities such as bird watching, wildlife observation, hiking, and photography. History buffs will get a kick out of Flickertail Village Museum, an open-air museum allowing visitors to walk through several preserved and restored buildings from the past. The Sibyl Center hosts a wide variety of arts and humanities programs for the community to enjoy.
Lisbon
Lisbon is close to the Sheyenne National Grasslands, making it the perfect basecamp for outdoor recreational opportunities. It has a small, quaint downtown area and a low crime rate to match. Over the past five years, aggravated assault and homicide levels have remained well below state and national levels, other than a couple of surges scattered within that five-year period.
Lisbon is a gateway to Fort Ransom State Park, which is packed with opportunities to stay overnight in wagons, yurts, and homesteads, access the water via kayak or canoe, and hike scenic trails throughout the park. Catch a movie at the Scenic Theatre, the oldest continuously running theater in America. Every Sunday night, racing enthusiasts can watch drivers race around the quarter-mile Sheyenne River Speedway.
Dickinson
Dickinson blends city amenities with a friendly hometown feeling. It has a strong local economy, vast educational access, reliable healthcare, a regional airport, and a strong track record of public safety. It has maintained a low level of homicide in the last five years, other than a brief surge in 2024. The town is also the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which preserves three areas of badlands in southwestern North Dakota. It is open year-round and allows visitors to enjoy scenic drives and expansive hiking trails.
The Southwest Art Gallery & Science Center brings a unique blend of artistic and scientific exhibits with interactive displays to Dickinson. The Brickhouse Grille brings creative menu options and high-quality service to the residents of Dickinson. The former historic building once housed a saloon, chophouse, and general store in what is now the oldest fine-dining restaurant in Dickinson.
Wahpeton
Wahpeton is situated along the Bois de Sioux River, bordering the state of Minnesota. It has many community events, an excellent educational system, and a strong development plan regarding housing and businesses. Although aggravated assault levels have varied drastically throughout the last five years, it has gone through periods where those levels were lower than both state and national levels. Furthermore, there haven’t been any incidents of homicide since 2023.
The Chahinkapa Zoo is a must-visit attraction. This impressive zoo is home to over 200 animals covering 70 species and six continents. Another animal attraction in Wahpeton is Wahpper - the World’s Largest Catfish. At 40 feet long, 12 feet tall, and weighing in at 5,000 pounds, Wahpper provides visitors with an excellent selfie opportunity. Prante’s is one of Wahpeton’s premier dining spots, known for its diverse menu and high-quality service.
West Fargo
West Fargo is in the greater Fargo area, the most populous city in North Dakota. Although it is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, it still manages to offer a student-oriented school district, a park district with world-class facilities, and a variety of housing options. Understandably, due to its close proximity to Fargo, it has a higher level of aggravated assault than other communities on this list; however, it still had periods in the last five years where it was below state and national levels. Additionally, it has maintained a low level of homicide.
Bonanzaville is a pioneer village and museum that allows guests to wander through over 40 original structures from throughout the region and observe 400,000 artifacts. The Lights is an outdoor plaza that doubles as a venue for concerts, events in the summer, and as an ice skating rink in the winter. West Fargo is not without abundant nightlife options. Maxwell’s offers unique flavor combinations in an upscale yet intimate atmosphere.
Beulah
Beulah is the perfect blend of rural setting, accompanied by modern amenities. Not only does it play a major role in the state’s energy economy, it offers lake access, prairie views, and unforgettable local events. As far as safety goes, other than spikes in aggravated assault, it is ordinarily at a baseline lower than state and national levels.
See why Beulah is considered the energy capital of North Dakota at the Freedom Mine - the largest lignite mine in the United States, producing between 11.5 and 13.5 million tons of coal annually. To learn more about the history and heritage of the area, visit the Mercer County Historical Museum, which displays historic artifacts, photographs, and vehicles. Riverside Park is a leisurely day out for the whole family with playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a frisbee golf course.
Safety and Community Strength in North Dakota
North Dakota is the perfect state to live in if you want to avoid the drama that comes with states that have large metropolitan areas. North Dakota does not have that. It has small, tight-knit communities with great community spirit, exemplified in their unique attractions, preserved history, and excellent dining options. These are the eight safest communities to settle in North Dakota.
