Is Brigham City Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Brigham City, Utah, is known as the gateway to a historical railroad site and a bird sanctuary, but there’s plenty to explore in this historic town.

Tucked away at the foot of the Wellsville Mountains in northern Utah, this town, founded in 1851 by Mormon settlers, carries a legacy as rich as the fertile soil its orchards thrive on.

Strolling through Brigham City’s historic downtown, you can’t help but feel a connection to the past.

The city’s namesake, Brigham Young, envisioned a thriving settlement and chose the location for the stunning Tabernacle in the center of town.

Brigham City is also known for its peaches, and the city is just one stop on Utah’s Famous Fruit Way, which runs along Highway 89.

Visitors from June through October must make the farmer’s markets stop on their adventure.

Better yet, schedule your trip for the weekend after Labor Day to enjoy Peach Days.

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge brings birders from around the globe to see millions of flying icons at the edge of the Great Salt Lake.

While so many cities in this region are growing at warp speed, Brigham City’s population burst isn’t as noticeable, and it captures this great small-town essence wrapped in history and natural wonders.

Warnings & Dangers in Brigham City

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Brigham City and a decent number of things to do. Crime rates are low, and the community is family-friendly.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Utah Transit Authority has several routes that go through Brigham City. You should review the schedules on the UTA website to see if they suit your needs. You can also connect to Ogden, where you can pick up the train to get to the airport. Taxis, rideshare, and rental cars are widely available.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with just four purse snatchings reported in the past five years. You should still use basic security standards to keep the risk low.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Brigham City faces minimal natural disaster risks. While earthquakes and occasional winter storms are possible, they are infrequent and typically mild. The city's focus remains on preparedness rather than active concern over major natural disasters.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

With just three robberies on average each year, the risk is low. Very few robberies fall into the mugging category. Of course, you keep the risk low by not walking around at night alone or flaunting valuables.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low as this is a small town with wilderness areas on two sides. It's important to always keep an eye out for anything suspicious, as the USA has random mass shootings and domestic terrorism that can happen anywhere.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. Most of the ones I saw were garden varieties that would mainly affect locals. The risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk area, as most crimes here are domestic. Women should still use basic safety standards and always let someone know where they are going and when they plan to be back if heading to the wilderness. The 2023 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1.

Safest Places to Visit in Brigham City

VisitBrighamCity.org is the city’s official tourism site.

You can also check out the website titled “Visit Box Elder County” for a look at more of the regional options.

The county is huge and does include Lucin, which is 143 miles west.

Start your visit with a stroll through downtown Brigham City, where you can admire the stunning Brigham City Temple, a prominent landmark in the heart of the city.

The temple’s architecture is beautiful, especially when illuminated at night.

Across the street is the Box Elder Tabernacle, a stunning display of Gothic architecture that originally wasn’t quite as elaborate.

Just six years after it opened in 1890, the church burned down.

However, the spirit of the community pushed for reconstruction, which took just 13 months.

As an interesting twist, there’s a connection between the railroad in Utah and the building of the Tabernacle.

You can learn more about that at Golden Spike National Historical Park, which is 30 miles west.

The location commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869, where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met.

Brigham City Museum of Art & History is the city’s cultural heart, featuring rotating art exhibits, historical displays, and educational programs.

The museum’s art collections often showcase regional artists, while its historical exhibits delve into the local heritage, including the Native American Shoshone tribe, early pioneers, and the development of Brigham City.

While the Box Elder Museum of Natural History was once connected to the city museum, as of this publication, they are moving to a new location.

However, details haven’t been announced.

You can find some of the exhibits at the city museum until the new location opens.

When you see the sign downtown that reads, “Gateway to the World’s Greatest Wild Bird Refuge,” that means the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

Situated at the northern end of the Great Salt Lake, it serves as a key resting, nesting, and feeding ground for millions of migratory birds, including ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds.

A driving tour and a wildlife education center visit are two of the most popular things to do here.

For the closest hikes, look for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which can take you to Easter Falls just outside Brigham City.

The trail is primitive, with a lot of elevation gain.

Be sure to only expect a waterfall in spring, when snowmelt creates a beautiful horsetail fall.

Places to Avoid in Brigham City

Brigham City is a safe town, and there are no dangerous neighborhoods or places to avoid.

The city doesn’t have a lot of hotels, but you can find plenty in nearby Ogden if you want more options.

Keep in mind that the closer you are to the lake and bird refuge, the more bugs you’ll be exposed to.

If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure you research the traction laws.

The Utah Department of Transportation has a helpful Driving in Utah Winter Weather guide that is free to download.

I do want to share this one piece of advice for those of you considering a rental car.

This is straight from UDOT, “If you’re renting a vehicle, verify with the rental company that your vehicle is AWD or 4WD and has M+S or 3PMSF rated tires on all wheels.”

Safety Tips for Traveling to Brigham City

So... How Safe Is Brigham City Really?

There are several articles out there claiming to have an accurate list of the Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah.

Brigham City is listed as one of them, and I cannot figure out why they would say that.

The statistics, even during the highest-crime year of the past decade, don’t support that.

Brigham City’s violent crime rate in 2023 was 45% lower than the state average and 66% lower than the national average.

Even in 2013, when the violent crime numbers peaked for the decade, it was still 25% lower than the national rate.

Between 2018 and 2023, the city saw 142 violent crimes.

Only three of those involved strangers.

Plus, 75% of crimes happen in private homes.

That averages out to about two crimes per month.

The property crime rate is 30% higher than the national average and 33% higher than the state average.

Theft is about 10% above the national average, with more than half over the past five years related to “Other Theft,” a category that includes stolen construction equipment, guns, and tools.

To quote one Redditor, “Brigham City is as safe and boring as you could hope for.”

While every city is going to have certain crime risks, Brigham City truly is safe for visitors who use common sense and standard safety practices.

If you leave a car unlocked, you’ll risk it getting burgled.

If you walk around at night in the dark alleys, you might run into some trouble.

However, the things to do in this region and the low crime rates make it a great place to visit.

Staying in Salt Lake City or South Salt Lake would be a much riskier endeavor.

How Does Brigham City Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. Salt Lake City International Airport does not offer any currency exchange services beyond ATMs. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Brigham City gets all four seasons, with cold winters and hot summers. You will get a lower humidity, so the heat won't be as sticky. You'll want comfortable shoes, and bring a pair of hiking boots if you're heading to the mountains. Sunscreen and bug spray will come in handy.

Airports

Salt Lake City International Airport is just one hour south, and that's the closest and largest option in the state.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind.

Brigham City Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Utah - Safety by City