Top 10 most dangerous cities in Idaho

Idaho, known for its rugged landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, offers a tranquil and picturesque living experience. From the scenic beauty of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area to the bustling city life of Boise, Idaho provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich history and cultural heritage are evident in its museums, festivals, and historic sites. Despite its many positives, Idaho faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Idaho are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where vigilance is necessary. The contrast between Idaho's natural serenity and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Idaho involve a combination of enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are crucial in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Idaho. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and revitalization efforts. Idaho's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

Garden City Population: 11,873 700 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.92 chance of being a victim: 1 in 143 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,655

Garden City, ID holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Idaho with 700 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (562), robbery (24), rape (114) and homicide (0) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 190% higher than the Idaho average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Emmett Population: 6,942 624 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.71 chance of being a victim: 1 in 160 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,499

The second most dangerous city is Emmett. With a population of 6,942 and a violent crime rate that is 159% higher than the Idaho average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Emmett are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 624 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 160 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Twin Falls Population: 49,819 445 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.22 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,896

Home to 49,819 residents, Twin Falls, ID ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Idaho. Unfortunately for residents of Twin Falls, crime is widespread, with more than 445 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 1.22 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 84% higher than the Idaho violent crime rate.

Caldwell Population: 56,734 444 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.22 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,751

With a violent crime rate that is 84% higher than the Idaho average, it's not hard to see why Caldwell made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (1), assault (366), rape (72) and homicide (4). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Caldwell more vulnerable to high crime.

Pocatello Population: 56,016 411 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 243 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,760

The ongoing battle with crime in Pocatello, ID, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 411 and a 1 in 243 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Pocatello has a violent crime rate that is 70% higher than the Idaho average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Pocatello.

Jerome Population: 11,824 375 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.03 chance of being a victim: 1 in 267 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,413

Jerome, ID comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 375 per 100,000 people, which is 55% higher than the Idaho average. Jerome has a population of 11,824, which translates to 1.03 crimes per day and 1 in 267 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Jerome which are much safer than others.

Nampa Population: 96,825 352 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.96 chance of being a victim: 1 in 284 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,619

A 1 in 284 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 0.96 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Nampa makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 352 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 46% higher than the Idaho average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (243), robbery (10), rape (94) and homicide (4).

Idaho Falls Population: 62,417 348 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.95 chance of being a victim: 1 in 288 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,719

Idaho Falls, ID is another one of the most dangerous cities in Idaho and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 62,417 and a violent crime rate of 348 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 276 counts of assault, 13 counts of robbery, 56 counts of rape and 3 counts of homicide. All told, the Idaho Falls violent crime rate is 44% higher than the Idaho average.

Blackfoot Population: 11,936 346 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.95 chance of being a victim: 1 in 289 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,557

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Blackfoot, ID comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Idaho with a violent crime rate of 346 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.95 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 289 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Coeur d'Alene Population: 51,491 308 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.85 chance of being a victim: 1 in 324 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,325

Rounding out our list at #10 is Coeur d'Alene, ID. With a population of 51,491 and a violent crime rate of 308 per 100,000 people (28% higher than the Idaho average), some parts of Coeur d'Alene are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 188 counts of assault, 25 counts of robbery, 95 counts of rape and 2 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 324 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Idaho

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Garden City	11,873	700	2,655
2	Emmett	6,942	624	1,499
3	Twin Falls	49,819	445	1,896
4	Caldwell	56,734	444	1,751
5	Pocatello	56,016	411	1,760
6	Jerome	11,824	375	1,413
7	Nampa	96,825	352	1,619
8	Idaho Falls	62,417	348	1,719
9	Blackfoot	11,936	346	2,557
10	Coeur d'Alene	51,491	308	1,325
11	Mountain Home	14,308	263	1,235
12	Rupert	5,820	262	1,425
13	Chubbuck	15,301	257	2,793
14	Payette	7,655	254	1,109
15	Boise	228,057	247	1,451
16	Middleton	8,005	231	1,005
17	Hailey	8,575	215	644
18	Post Falls	34,971	194	1,242
19	Lewiston	32,853	181	2,820
20	Meridian	107,787	140	771
21	Preston	5,477	135	725
22	Weiser	5,358	134	418
23	Fruitland	5,390	117	821
24	Rexburg	29,064	95	518
25	Moscow	25,652	91	1,380
26	Sandpoint	8,692	74	1,124

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Idaho is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Idaho cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.