Wyoming: The Best and Worst Cities for Crime

Wyoming's Crime Landscape: Rural Safety With Urban Exceptions

Wyoming saw positive public safety trends in 2023, with violent crime down 5.3% and property crime down 10.2% from the previous year. These numbers reflect the state's continued commitment to law enforcement, even in its most remote areas.

The most common violent crime in Wyoming is aggravated assault at 122.8 per 100,000 people, 53.5% below the national average. For property crimes, larceny-theft leads the way at 1,135.3 per 100,000 people, 15.7% below national numbers.

One stat stands out: Wyoming's rape rate is 53.8 per 100,000 people ― 41.6% higher than the national average. This has prompted increased attention from victim advocacy groups and law enforcement across the state. Some researchers attribute this to reporting differences and the challenges of serving victims in Wyoming's rural areas.

Riverton: A Community With Dual Challenges

In a state with low crime, Riverton is Wyoming's most crime-challenged community. With a violent crime rate of 628 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 3,408 per 100,000 people, this city of around 11,000 people faces significant challenges on both fronts. Riverton is the largest community in Fremont County and an economic hub for the Wind River Indian Reservation. Law enforcement points to substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine, as the driving force behind both violent and property crimes in the area.

The city also has jurisdictional issues with crimes involving tribal members, sometimes creating gaps in enforcement. The community has responded by collaborating with local police, county sheriff's deputies and tribal law enforcement. Recent initiatives include community policing and substance abuse intervention programs to address the root causes of crime, not just the symptoms.

Cheyenne: Capital City Challenges

As Wyoming's capital and largest city, Cheyenne has higher crime rates than most of the state but is still relatively low by national standards. Cheyenne leads Wyoming in property crime with 3,704 per 100,000 people. While that's above the state average, it's worth noting that Cheyenne's property crime rate is below many other cities of similar size.

Several factors contribute to Cheyenne's property crime performance. It's located along Interstate 25 and Interstate 80, so it's a transit point for drug trafficking between bigger Western cities. The city is also a regional retail hub with commercial areas that attract shoplifting and other property crimes. Plus, Cheyenne is close to Colorado and sometimes we see spillover from that state's higher crime rates.

The Cheyenne Police Department has responded with targeted enforcement in high-crime areas and increased collaboration with regional drug task forces. Community leaders point to recent downward trends in certain crime categories as evidence that these strategies are working.

Wyoming's Safest Communities

Conversely, several Wyoming communities have very low crime rates. Thermopolis has the lowest overall crime rate, with 37 violent crimes and 632 property crimes per 100,000 people. This small town of about 3,000 people, known for its hot springs, keeps it safe through strong community connections and good local policing.

Glenrock (41 violent crimes per 100,000) and Buffalo (64) are the other two safest cities for violent crime. These smaller communities have several aspects in common, including geographical isolation, stable populations with little transience and strong community ties that create informal social controls against criminal behavior.

For property crime, Worland (457 per 100,000) and Jackson (582) join Thermopolis in the safest. Worland, an agricultural community in Washakie County, benefits from its rural setting and tight-knit population. Jackson's low property crime rate is awe-inspiring given it's a major tourist destination, so it's clear policing and community vigilance are working despite the influx of visitors.

Green River and Lusk: Unusual Crime Patterns

Two Wyoming communities have interesting statistical anomalies. Green River is third for violent crime at 342 per 100,000 residents despite being a stable community with good employment from trona mining operations. Local officials say this is primarily due to domestic violence incidents rather than stranger-initiated violence, so we need to look at the types of crimes behind the numbers.

Lusk ― a town of less than 1,500 people along Highway 18/20 ― has Wyoming's second-highest violent crime rate at 345 per 100,000. This shows how a few serious incidents can skew the numbers in tiny communities. In Lusk's case, just five violent crimes in a year would produce this rate, so we need to be careful when considering crime in rural areas.

Wyoming's Crime Profile: Rural Benefits and Drawbacks

Wyoming's crime data looks like that of a rural state. Urban areas have higher crime rates than rural areas, but even Wyoming's “urban” areas would be considered small towns in most states. The state's low population density (six people per square mile) creates natural barriers to some types of crime but also makes it harder for law enforcement to respond and cover the area.

Vehicle theft is a bright spot in Wyoming's crime stats, with a 131.7 per 100,000 residents rate ― 58.7% below the national average. That's a far cry from neighboring states like Colorado, where vehicle theft is a crisis in some areas.

Property crime rates (per 100,000 residents)

Wyoming's homicide rate is equally impressive at 3.1 per 100,000 residents, 45.6% below the national average. Wyoming is a nonviolent state overall, despite challenges in other crimes.

The data shows that communities along major transportation corridors tend to have higher crime rates than isolated towns. That's how geography and accessibility impact criminal opportunity across Wyoming's vast spaces.

Violent crime rates (per 100,000 residents)

Falling Crime Rates: Wyoming's Positive Trajectory

The best news in Wyoming's crime picture is the downward trend in both violent and property crime. With violent crime down 5.3% and property crime down 10.2% year-over-year, Wyoming is beating national trends.

Multiple factors are contributing to this. Wyoming's stable economy, with low unemployment in most areas, reduces economic motivation for some crimes. Community-based policing is working, especially in smaller towns where officers know many residents.

Wyoming is also making progress on substance abuse issues, which are linked to both property and violent crime. More treatment options and diversion programs are providing alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders with addiction issues.

Beyond the Numbers: Wyoming's Safety Reality

Wyoming is 45th for violent crime and 42nd for property crime nationally, but those numbers only tell part of the story. The state is getting safer overall, with low murder and vehicle theft rates being a couple of bright spots.

Population demographics, economic stability, geography and community bonds all impact local crime. Tourist areas like Jackson have varying challenges compared to resource-based communities like Green River or regional hubs like Riverton. Understanding those nuances gives a more complete picture than statewide rankings.

For residents and newcomers looking at safety in Wyoming communities, these numbers are helpful but should be considered with other quality-of-life factors.

As Wyoming continues balancing its traditional values with modern challenges, maintaining these positive trends will require ongoing commitment from law enforcement agencies, community organizations and residents themselves ― the very partnerships that have contributed to making Wyoming one of America's safest states.