Idaho, the Gem State, is located in the Pacific Northwest.
This state shares its northern border with Canada.
Visitors will find lush green forests, scenic lakes, and historic mining towns in the northern part of this unusually shaped state.
In the southern part of Idaho, the geography reveals deserts and the Oregon Trail – the path that brought pioneers to the western U.S.
In between, some byways parallel the Clearwater River.
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The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Idaho
Garden City (Ada County)
- Population – 12,288 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 7.65 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 18.39 per 1,000 residents.
Garden City is a moderate-sized city in southeastern Idaho that is almost surrounded by the city of Boise.
Recently it has become an artist’s haven, even though it has one of the highest violent crime rates in Idaho – more than three times the state average.
Property crime, although it falls below the national level, is twice the rate for the entire state.
The city center area is the least safe neighborhood in Garden City.
Twin Falls (Twin Falls County)
- Population – 53,213 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 5.09 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 15.33 per 1,000 residents.
Twin Falls is a city on the southern Idaho border that shares and is located on Snake River Canyon’s south rim.
The city, which is the largest in the region, is less than an hour to Jackpot, Nevada – a resort town less than an hour south.
Twin Falls’ violent and property crime rates exceed the state average, with the rougher neighborhoods near the center of the city on the outskirts of the University of Southern Idaho.
Payette (Payette County)
- Population – 8,415 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 4.40 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 13.43 per 1,000 residents.
Payette is a small city in western Idaho near the Oregon border.
Payette is named for its location at the mouth of the Payette River.
Payette’s violent crime rate is about 80% higher than the state average and even exceeds the national median level – including the number of assaults.
Property crime statistics in Payette fall below the national average but are still more than 30% higher than Idaho’s average.
Pocatello (Bannock County)
- Population – 57,092 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 4.26 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 19.79 per 1,000 residents.
Pocatello is the state’s fifth-largest city and home to the campus of Idaho State University.
It is located in southeastern Idaho and has been known as the Gateway to the Northwest.
Alameda East and the Whittier areas are the less safe areas of Pocatello.
Property crime statistics in Pocatello are more than twice the state average but fall in line with national rates.
Violent crime happens about 75% more often than the Idaho state average.
Chubbuck (Bannock County)
- Population – 15,842 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 3.85 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 23.99 per 1,000 residents.
Chubbuck is a city in southern Idaho, due north of Pocatello.
This small city has a more serious property crime rate than violent crime, with a rate that is nearly 2.5 times the state average, which creates a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a property crime victim.
The crime per square mile in Chubbuck is more than five times the Idaho average and four times the rate nationwide.
Chubbuck’s center city and Chubbuck East are the least safe neighborhoods in the city.
Idaho Falls (Bonneville County)
- Population – 66,898 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 3.47 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 14.84 per 1,000 residents.
Idaho Falls is the second largest in the state and serves as the cultural/commercial/healthcare for Eastern Idaho as well as nearby southern Montana and western Wyoming.
It is home to a minor-league baseball team and the College of Eastern Idaho.
This larger city in Idaho has violent and property crime rates that exceed the state average, with a 1 in 67 chance of becoming a property crime victim.
Idaho Falls North and Northwest are some of the less safe neighborhoods in Idaho Falls.
Jerome (Jerome County)
- Population – 12,555 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 3.27 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 9.56 per 1,000 residents.
Jerome is a smaller-sized city in south-central Idaho, and Twin Falls makes up the Magic Valley region of Idaho.
In this area of Idaho, one of the main economic sectors is the dairy industry.
Jerome’s violent crime rate exceeds the state average, although it falls below the national median.
Rape and assault are the most common types of these types of crimes.
Coeur d’Alene (Kootenai County)
- Population – 55,904 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 3.08 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 11.64 per 1,000 residents.
Coeur d’Alene (CDA) is a city in northern Iowa whose name translates to Heart of an Awl.
The city, which is the largest in northern Idaho, is on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Residents and visitors to this city will find the violent crime rate is slightly elevated above state levels but 25% below the national rate.
Property crime rates, like violent crime rates, fall above state averages but remain below the national crime standard rates.
Blackfoot (Bingham County)
- Population – 12,332 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 2.84 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 15.73 per 1,000 residents.
Blackfoot is the site of the Idaho Potato Museum and the state’s Eastern State Fair.
It is located in the southeastern section of Idaho.
Violent crime rates in Blackfoot are about the state average, although rape and assault are persistent problems.
The more dangerous sections of Blackfoot are in the city’s central area.
Property crime, however, is about 50% higher in Blackfoot than in the rest of the state.
And the crime per square mile rate in Blackfoot is twice Idaho’s state average.
Lewiston (Nez Perce County)
- Population – 36,617 (2021).
- Violent Crime Rate – 1.87 per 1,000 residents.
- Property Crime Rate – 22.35 per 1,000 residents.
Lewiston is a mid-sized city located in Idaho’s north-central region.
It was established in 1861 as a result of the Gold Rush.
The violent crime rate in Lewiston falls below the state average; however, property crime is more problematic in the city.
Crime in Lewiston, year over year, has been dropping – 20% since last year.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Idaho
1. Confirm lodging/camping arrangements before travel.
Although problems rarely occur, it is important to confirm your plans and arrangement for lodging or camping – before setting out to the destination.
2. Avoid looking like a tourist.
The easiest way to not get scammed like a tourist is to not look like a tourist because most thieves tend to target those not paying attention.
3. Keep yourself hydrated.
When traveling to Idaho, the heat can be overwhelming and, at times, scorching.
If you are unfamiliar with this heat, keep drinking water (it is best to drink electrolyte water) to avoid potential heat-related illnesses or issues.
It is also important to apply sunscreen liberally to prevent sunburns.
4. Have your mechanic check the car before heading out on any road trip.
If you are traveling by your car, make sure you get everything checked before starting the trip.
Most of the areas in Idaho’s byways are remote and often lack phone signals.
Therefore, checking your car before hitting the road can be the best decision.
5. Idaho is a beautifully rural state – watch out for wildlife.
Whether hiking or driving in Idaho, you’ll likely come across many types of wildlife.
Be respectful and always maintain a safe distance that does not threaten wildlife.
Idaho Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Idaho Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one attraction for visitors to Idaho?
While only a small portion of Yellowstone National Park is located in Idaho, America’s most beloved park and home to Old Faithful is also located in Idaho.
Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres is also the first park to be federally designated (1872).
What is Idaho’s number one export?
Idaho is the potato state, with a staggering 1/3 of the nation’s production.
According to the Idaho Department of Agriculture, there are more than 300,000 acres dedicated to potato production.
What is the best time to travel to Idaho?
The best time to visit Idaho is from the month of June to mid to late September.
The average temperatures in Idaho during this time vary but range from 59-68F.
However, for outdoor winter sports lovers, Idaho has four distinct seasons – each of which offers tourists many opportunities.
Be aware of any potential hazards, such as bears, mountain lions, or venomous snakes, and take necessary precautions to stay safe.