The state of Wyoming is famous for its lack of population density, vast areas of plains and mountains preserved natural landscapes, and several small towns. It has a population density of 5.9 per square mile and a total population of 578,000 people; thus, it is the least populated US state and the second least populated state in terms of population density. This has helped to make Wyoming one of the safest states with low crime rates in the US due to this sparse population. However, this can be regarded as a regular occurrence because no place in the world is free from crime. Crimes have always been part of our lives and understanding them would make people especially residents and visitors aware and safe at all times.

Overall Crime Rates

The FBI's Uniform Crime Report states that Wyoming's overall Crime Rate Index in 2020 was reported to be 20% lower than the national index and 16% less than in the previous year. In Wyoming, the violent crime rate was 219 offenses per 100,000 people; the national average was 398 offenses.

Violent Crimes

Wyoming still has one of the highest overall rates even if it is a rather low violent crime state when compared to the broader population; evidence indicates that these rates have been climbing in recent times. From 201 in 2016 to 219 per 100,000 persons in 2020 the violent crime index rose. Still, the 2020 figure was much below the 243 record ten years ago in 2011.

Most of the aggressive crimes committed fit under aggravated assault. Regarding the aggravated assault rate, the state falls in the center of the pack with a range from 161 to 177 per 100,000 over the past ten years. Simultaneously, Wyoming's murder rate increased from 1.8 to 2.7 per 100,000 residents within a year, surpassing the previous year's level. Homicide has reduced from 80 per 100,000 people in 2011 to 37 per 100,000 people in 2020. From 35 rape crimes per 100,000 people in 2011 to 19 rape cases per 100,000 people in 2020, rape has fallen generally during the past ten years.

Property Crimes

Other violent crimes—especially those involving property—have also grown all over the state. Property crime in Wyoming jumped from 1247.5 rate per 100,000 population in 2016 up to 1503 rate per 100 000 population in 2020. By world standards, this number is rather high even though it dropped somewhat below the record 1,559 per 100,000 people recorded in 2019.

Regarding specific crimes, Wyoming suffers most from larceny and theft. Between 1000 and 1300 instances per 100000 individuals, the larceny-theft rate has declined somewhat throughout the past ten years. Steady throughout the same era, motor vehicle theft and burglary incidence ranged between 200,000 people and 300,000 population.

Crime by Location

While some areas of Wyoming are regarded as hazardous, others do not show significant crime rates. Regarding crime statistics, big cities and metropolitan centers of the state have more incidence per capita than rural areas and small towns.

For instance, Cheyenne, Casper, and Gillette mentioned above had violent crime rates in 2020 that were equal to or higher than the national average. At the same time, violent crime rates in Wyoming were much lower, and even such cities as Cody, Evanston, and Rawlins recorded numbers less than half the national average. The same applies to the property crime rates as well as the arrest rates across the United States.

63 percent of all murders, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault reported in Wyoming take place in either Cheyenne or Casper. At the same time, a large number of small towns in Wyoming have indicated that they record few if any instances of violent crimes in the year.

Crime Drivers

Experts attribute Wyoming’s escalating crime rates to several potential factors, including 

  • The highly volatile oil-based economy of the state often generates wealth for some areas but fails to support these areas during the low periods.
  • Rising incidences of substance abuse problems; more so, methamphetamine addiction.
  • Violence in the home area particularly in the form of murder and aggravated assault is responsible for over half of the cases.
  • Delinquency and gang involvement issues were mainly observed in areas with high populations around larger cities.

Hoping that by identifying the levels of socioeconomic characteristics in the state’s population, officials will be able to create more effective means and ways to combat criminal activities across the territory.

Staying Safe

Even though crime levels continue to be exceptionally low compared to other states, caution must still be taken. People, either visitors or residents should be careful about observing their environment, locking their car doors or house, not going out in the evening alone, and lastly, don’t go hiking or any other outdoor activities alone.

Of course, those who visit or reside in Wyoming’s substantially remote areas, are inherently at greater risk. Backcountry travelers should do things like always checking on the weather and the terrain, if possible, taking some survival gear, and, if possible, informing someone about where they are going. In any case, there are the following recommendations that can minimize crime chances Meeting basic precautions.

The Takeaway

That is why Wyoming still is one of the safest states in the United States of America with few inhabited zones surrounded by nearly unpopulated territories. However, it cannot be denied that the changing crime rates suggest that no place is safe. Citizens’ tactics for insecurity prevention are being informed of crime statistics in regional areas and taking prudent measures. Thus, it is possible to state that, although the crime level varies even in the most remote regions of the United States, proactivity and caution can go a long way.