Lewis and Clark County, Montana, is a beautiful area that includes the state capital, Helena, and its surroundings. It has a population of approximately 70,000 residents and spans an area of 3,498 square miles. The county is named after the renowned explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who explored the region in 1805 and 1806.
Although Lewis and Clark County is generally considered a safe place for living, working, and visiting, some neighborhoods experience higher crime rates than others. Crime can be assessed through various methods, such as incidents per capita, the seriousness of the offenses, and their impact on the community.
Here are the top five dangerous neighborhoods in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, with higher crime rates based on these criteria:
Helena Valley Southeast
This area lies to the south of Helena and to the east of Interstate 15. Approximately 8,000 people call it home, with a median household income of $57,000. According to CrimeGrade.org, it holds the unenviable distinction of having the highest rate of violent crime in the county, with 524.3 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2019. Property crime was also notably high, with 2,621.5 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2019.
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Helena Valley West Central
This area lies to the west of Helena and north of Highway 12. It’s home to approximately 9,000 residents, with a median household income averaging around $61,000. According to CrimeGrade.org, this neighborhood ranked second-highest in violent crime within the county during 2019, recording 380.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property crime was also notable, with 1,901.3 incidents per 1,000 residents during the same year.
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Helena Valley Northeast
This area lies to the north of Helena and to the east of Highway 281. It’s home to approximately 4,000 residents with a median household income of $66,000. According to data from CrimeGrade.org, this neighborhood ranked third-highest in the county for violent crime in 2019, with 261.9 incidents per 1,000 residents. Additionally, property crime was also notably high, with 1,590 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2019.
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Helena West Side
This area lies to the west of downtown Helena, situated south of Highway 12. Approximately 7,000 residents call this neighborhood home, with a median household income averaging $50,000. In 2019, CrimeGrade.org reported it as the fourth-highest in violent crime within the county, recording 242.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property crime rates were also notable, with 588.6 incidents per 1,000 residents during the same year.
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Helena Central
This downtown Helena neighborhood, situated just north of Highway 12, boasts approximately 6,000 residents with a median household income averaging $46,000. Regrettably, it ranks fifth in the county for violent crime rates, with 232.8 incidents per 1,000 residents recorded in 2019. Additionally, property crime was notably high, registering 1,030.8 incidents per 1,000 residents during the same year, according to CrimeGrade.org.
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Conclusion
Here are the top five high-crime neighborhoods in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, as per data from CrimeGrade.org. Keep in mind that crime statistics can differ due to various factors like data sources, methods, and timeframes.
These rankings aren’t absolute and should be considered cautiously. Crime isn’t evenly spread within neighborhoods and can be impacted by factors like income, education, job opportunities, community involvement, and police presence.
It’s advisable to conduct your own research and be cautious when considering a visit or relocation to any neighborhood.
