10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wyoming

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Wyoming is well known for having plenty of open space, given that it has vast expanses.

In terms of area, the state is one of the ten largest.

Wyoming is where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains.

The highest elevation in Wyoming is Gannett Peak, which is 13,809 feet above sea level, with Grand Teton in the National Park as the second-highest peak.  

Wyoming, which was admitted as the 44th state, is known as the Equality State; it was first to permit women the right to vote in 1869 when it was still a territory.

In terms of population, Wyoming ranks last, with a 2020 census of 576,850.

Its largest airport is in Jackson Hole, which is located in Teton County.

This airport also holds the distinction of being the only commercial airport that is situated within the boundaries of a national park – in this case; it would be the Grand Teton National Park.

The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wyoming 

The state of Wyoming consists of 203 places, of which 99 are incorporated, and the remaining are considered census-designated.

Overall, violent crime in Wyoming is nearly half the violent crime average in the United States.

Conversely, property crime in Wyoming falls in line with the national average.

Riverton (Fremont County)

• Population – 10,587 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 6.52 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 33.15 per 1,000 residents.

Riverton was founded in 1906 and was named as four rivers meet in the region.

The city is divided into four main sections, with the Riverton East section being the least safe.

Residents have nearly three times the chance of being a victim of violent crime than the state average.

Violent crime in Riverton is more than 50% above the national average.

Even the crime per square mile statistic in Riverton is twice Wyoming’s average.

Evanston (Uinta County)

• Population – 11,814 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 3.89 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 22.18 per 1,000 residents.

Evanston is a small city located in the southwestern corner of Wyoming, near the Utah border.

Violent crime in Evanston is well above state levels, with unusually high robberies for the size of the population.

Property crime in Evanston fares a bit better as it is only slightly above Wyoming’s state average.

And crime per square mile statistics in Evanston rank about 40% higher than the state median and even surpasses the national average.

Cheyenne (Laramie County)

• Population – 65,051 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 3.09 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 37.11 per 1,000 residents.

Cheyenne is Wyoming’s state capital and the largest city in the state.

Cheyenne is located along the southern border of eastern Wyoming.

Cheyenne has several rough areas that require caution when traveling through.

These include the south side of town and the historic district late at night.

Violent crime in Cheyenne exceeds the average Wyoming level.

Newcastle (Weston County)

• Population – 3,204 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.66 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 12.42 per 1,000 residents.

Newcastle is a small city and the county seat of Weston County in northeast Wyoming.

The city sits at the edge of the famous Black Hills.

The violent crime level and property crime level in this small city in Weston County generally fall in line with the state average.

In Newcastle, residents and visitors have a 1 in 67 chance of being a crime victim.

Fortunately, year over year, Newcastle crime has decreased.

Wheatland (Platte County)

• Population – 6,132 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.61 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 10.27 per 1,000 residents.

Wheatland is a town in southeastern Wyoming.

The town is a bit over four square miles and sits at an elevation of more than 4,700 feet above sea level.

Wheatland is home to the annual Platte County Rodeo Fair.

Property crime in Wheatland is nearly 20% above the national average.

The majority of crimes in Wheatland are attributable to burglary and theft.

However, since last year, crime in Wheatland has increased by more than 10%.

Casper (Natrona County)

• Population – 58,656 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.34 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 31.91 per 1,000 residents.

Casper is Wyoming’s second-largest city and is known as Oil City.

It is situated on what was formerly a fort and is near the North Platte River.

Washington Park, Casper East, and N Durbin Street are among the more dangerous areas of Casper.

Violent crime dips below state averages in Casper; however, property crime – at a 1 in 31 chance is about 75% higher than the state and national averages.

Crime per square mile in Casper is more than three times the state average.

Powell (Park County)

• Population – 6,418 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.29 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 13.59 per 1,000 residents.

Powell is a city located along the north and western tiers of Wyoming.

The city is home to Northwest College and has been considered one of the United States’ All-American Cities.

Powell was primarily established as a cattle ranching area but has since become agriculturally based as well.

While crime in Powell has increased a bit from last year, the city is still safer than many cities in Wyoming and the country.

Rock Springs (Sweetwater County)

• Population – 23,196 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.11 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 12.33 per 1,000 residents.

Rock Springs is ranked as the fifth most populated city in Wyoming and is known for its rich cultural history.

The city is home to Western Wyoming Community College and the annual Wyoming Big Show.

The Reliance area of Rock Springs – to the north of Route 80, is among the less safe areas of the city.

Violent crime falls below national and state levels, as does property crime in Rock Springs.

Even the crime per square mile statistic for Rock Springs is below the state and national average.

Torrington (Goshen County)

• Population – 6,132 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.61 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 10.27 per 1,000 residents.

Torrington was founded in 1900 and is located on the Mormon Trail near the North Platte River.

Violent crime for visitors and residents of Torrington will find the average is slightly above the state median but still lower than national levels.

Property crime in Torrington happens less frequently – nearly ½ the state and national property crime levels.

The city center section of Torrington is the more dangerous part of the city.

Evansville (Natrona County)

• Population – 2,749 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 1.79 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 22.81 per 1,000 residents.

Evansville is a small town located in central Wyoming.

While violent crime is at near state lows, property crime – especially theft, is significantly higher than the Wyoming average for property crime.

Fortunately, crime rates in Evansville have decreased since last year, although you still have a 1 in 41 chance of becoming a crime victim in Evansville.

5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Wyoming 

1. Confirm your travel arrangements before leaving home.

It pays to play it safe and verify your hotel, car, or plane reservations ahead of time.  

2. Don’t be a target.

Thieves look for easy marks, so don’t make it easy for them to spot you.

3. Keep yourself hydrated if hiking or enjoying outdoor activities.

When enjoying the many outdoor activities offered in Wyoming in the high summer months, carry water supplies with you and stay hydrated.

4. Traveling by car? Have a mechanic perform a safety check before leaving.

Wyoming offers wide open spaces and, often, many miles between towns/cities, so it is important to make sure your vehicle is in ideal working condition.

5. Avoid flashing large amounts of money or expensive jewelry.

While it will attract attention, it will likely be the wrong kind of attention.

Wyoming Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Wyoming Safety Review

Safety Index:

70

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW