Butte, MT Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 12+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Butte Safe?
Butte has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 471.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Smelter District earn an A+ safety grade, while Central Business District rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Butte.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 471
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 87
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
38% lower than national average
Butte Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Butte Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Butte?
Safety varies dramatically across Butte's 12+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 8Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 12 neighborhoods in Butte
All Butte Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smelter District | A+ | 93 |
| 2 | Mining District | A+ | 131 |
| 3 | Walkerville | A | 146 |
| 4 | Southwest | A | 117 |
| 5 | Northwest | A | 151 |
| 6 | Centerville | A | 169 |
| 7 | West Side | A | 140 |
| 8 | South Central | A | 171 |
| 9 | South Butte | A | 180 |
| 10 | St. Mary's | A- | 176 |
| 11 | East Side | A- | 184 |
| 12 | Central Business District | A- | 191 |
Butte Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Butte zip codes.
Butte Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Butte, MT?
Butte, MT has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 471 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 87 chance for property crime. Butte has lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Butte, MT safe to live in?
Butte is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 12 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Smelter District is one of the safest areas, while Central Business District has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Butte is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Butte?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Butte are Smelter District, Mining District, Walkerville, Southwest, and Northwest. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Butte?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Butte include Central Business District, St. Mary's, South Butte, South Central, and West Side. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Butte?
The estimated violent crime rate in Butte is 212.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 471 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (47% below average); aggravated assault at 148.0 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 41.5 per 100K (44% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Butte?
The estimated property crime rate in Butte is 1,143.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 87 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 145.0 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 807.3 per 100K (42% below average); vehicle theft at 191.2 per 100K (40% below average).
How does Butte crime compare to the national average?
Butte's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (40% below average), while murder is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Butte has lower crime than 91% of them.
Is Butte safe to visit?
Butte is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 38% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Smelter District, Mining District, Walkerville.
How does Butte crime compare to the rest of Montana?
Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Butte's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.
What type of crime is most common in Butte?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Butte, with an estimated rate of 807.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,144 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (213 per 100K) in Butte, which is consistent with national trends.