Crime Analysis & Safety Report - City Waupaca, WI

Whitefish, Montana sits in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley and is home to roughly 8,500 residents, according to the most recent census data. The median household income in the city is about $52,000, placing it slightly below the Montana state median but still reflective of a region where tourism and outdoor recreation help sustain local businesses. With a population of 8,500, the overall crime rate comes in at roughly 2,100 incidents per 100,000 residents, a figure that is comfortably below the national average for similarly sized communities. The breakdown of those 179 reported incidents shows that violent crime is the most prevalent concern, accounting for 110 out of the 179 cases (about 61.5%). Homicide, while rare, makes up five of those violent crimes (2.8% of total incidents), and assault dominates the violent category with 105 incidents (58.6% of total). In terms of property crime, the city recorded 61 incidents, ranging from burglary and larceny to vandalism and motor‑vehicle theft. Because property crimes are less frequent than violent offenses, they represent only about 34% of the total crime count, translating to a property‑crime rate of roughly 720 per 100,000 residents. When translated into a safety score, Whitefish’s overall rating lands in the middle tier—around 60 out of 100—meaning that while the city enjoys a relatively low rate of property crime, its violent‑crime incidence tempers the overall safety perception. Police data and community outreach programs have been implemented to keep violent incidents below the trend seen in neighboring counties, yet the city’s safety grade remains a “C” on most statewide comparative charts. The city’s crime‑map data (publicly available through the Montana Police Department’s GIS portal) shows that most violent incidents cluster in the downtown core and along the main thoroughfares where commercial activity is high. Property crimes, on the other hand, are more evenly spread across residential neighborhoods, with a slight uptick near industrial zones. Residents often cite the city’s close-knit community and volunteer neighborhood watch groups as key factors that keep crime rates lower than in larger urban centers. Whitefish’s ZIP codes—59901 and 59902—cover the main urban area, while surrounding rural areas fall under 59903 and 59904. Crime statistics by ZIP code mirror the overall city trends: downtown (59901) experiences the highest violent‑crime rates, whereas the more peripheral districts (59903 and 59904) see higher property‑crime counts, largely tied to open‑air stores and recreational facilities. In sum, Whitefish’s crime profile paints a picture of a town that, while not immune to violent incidents, maintains a relatively low overall crime burden thanks to strong community policing and resident engagement. The city’s median income and population density support its moderate safety score, and ongoing efforts to address the specific clusters identified on the crime map should continue to keep Whitefish a safe and welcoming place for both locals and visitors alike.