Lake County, Montana, is a picturesque area in the southern part of Flathead Lake, the biggest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. This county has around 30,000 residents and covers 1,653 square miles.
While Lake County offers numerous outdoor attractions and recreational opportunities, it does grapple with crime and safety concerns. According to the latest data from the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC), Lake County had 1,008 reported offenses in 2019, comprising 54 violent crimes and 954 property crimes.
For both violent and property crimes, Lake County’s crime rates per 100,000 residents exceeded the state and national averages. In this article, we’ll delve into the five most hazardous neighborhoods in Lake County, taking into account the number and nature of crimes reported in each area.
Ronan City
Ronan City, situated in the eastern part of Lake County along Highway 93, is the county’s most populous city, boasting a population of 1,888 residents. In 2019, Ronan City reported the highest number of offenses in Lake County, totaling 449 incidents. These included 17 violent crimes and 432 property crimes.
When considering crime rates per 100,000 population, Ronan City also ranked highest in the county. Specifically, it had a rate of 899.2 for violent crimes and 2,366.3 for property crimes. The most prevalent violent crimes in Ronan City were rape and assault, while larceny and burglary were the most common property crimes.
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Polson
Polson, the second-largest city in Lake County, serves as its county seat and has a population of 4,528. Situated at the south end of Flathead Lake along Highway 93, Polson faced the second-highest number of reported offenses in Lake County in 2019. There were a total of 232 incidents, comprising 23 violent crimes and 209 property crimes.
The city’s crime rates per 100,000 residents were also among the highest in the county, with 512.3 for violent crimes and 3,881.8 for property crimes. The most prevalent violent crimes in Polson included assault and robbery, while the most common property crimes were larceny and burglary.
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St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius, situated in the northern part of Lake County, is home to 838 residents. It can be found at the foot of the Mission Mountains, right off Highway 93. In 2019, St. Ignatius ranked third in Lake County for reported offenses, totaling 40 incidents. These comprised four violent crimes and 36 property crimes.
When considering crime rates per 100,000 people, St. Ignatius exceeded both state and national averages. Specifically, there were 477.3 violent crimes and 4,296.4 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Violent crimes primarily included assault and rape, while property crimes were mainly larceny and motor vehicle theft.
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Hot Springs
Hot Springs, situated in Lake County’s western region, has a small population of 565 residents. It’s positioned near the Little Bitterroot River, alongside Highway 28. In 2019, Hot Springs ranked fourth in Lake County for reported offenses, totaling 30 incidents, including three violent crimes and 27 property crimes.
The town’s crime rates per 100,000 people exceeded both state and national averages, with 530.6 for violent crimes and 4,778.8 for property crimes. Violent crimes mainly consisted of assault and rape, while property crimes included larceny and burglary as the most common types.
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Pablo
Pablo is a place in the southern part of Lake County, near the Flathead Indian Reservation and Highway 93. In 2019, it had a population of 2,254 people and reported 29 incidents, including two violent crimes and 27 property crimes.
Compared to state and national averages, Pablo had higher crime rates per 100,000 population, with 88.7 for violent crimes and 1,197.9 for property crimes. Violent crimes in Pablo mainly consisted of assault and robbery, while property crimes included larceny and motor vehicle theft.
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Conclusion
These are the top five dangerous neighborhoods in Lake County, Montana, according to the 2019 crime data. Keep in mind that crime rates can change over time and might not represent the current state of these areas. Thus, it’s wise to be cautious and use common sense when staying or residing in any neighborhood, no matter its crime history.
