Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Fargo safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Fargo scores 80/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Fargo is a safe city for travelers, with risks generally low and comparable to other US cities of its size. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Fargo 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 31 August 2026
80
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~86% of countries
What drives this score
Crime77/100GoodHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment83/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories63Fair
Stability75Good
Health74Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Fair
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-08-18T09:29:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-08-25T16:07:39.3337727-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
65 / 100 (Mostly positive)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
119k residents
86
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime rates are at or below national averages, with specific incidents being rare.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is uncommon but can occur in crowded tourist areas; vigilance is advised.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
83/100
Reported feel65Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
Travelers generally find Fargo to be a safe community, with some noting a rowdier atmosphere downtown on weekends due to its college population.
Yes — Fargo is a safe city for travelers, with risks generally low and comparable to other US cities of its size.
Fargo presents a low risk for violent crime and terrorism. While official advisories suggest exercising increased caution, this is a general recommendation for the US rather than specific to Fargo. Travelers should be aware of seasonal weather extremes and exercise standard precautions against petty crime.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026A Fargo crime suspect claimed AI face recognition software failed, though police stated there was more to the arrest.— The Mighty 790 KFGO
- Jan 2026The State of the City of Fargo report for 2026 was released, discussing various aspects including crime.— The City of Fargo (.gov)
- Dec 2025Blizzard conditions led to travel advisories and snow emergencies in nearby Minnesota, impacting regional travel.— MPR News
- Nov 2025Slick conditions at a city slide park prompted safety warnings from Fargo parents.— Valley News Live
Common scams
- Phishing and online scams targeting personal information or money.
- Impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials or known contacts.
Full briefing
Fargo, North Dakota, is generally a safe destination for travelers. The composite safety index indicates a high level of safety, with crime rates at or below the national average. Official government advisories for the United States, including for Fargo, recommend exercising increased caution or normal security precautions, which are broad recommendations rather than specific warnings for the city itself.
While violent crime is not a significant concern for visitors, it's advisable to be aware of your surroundings, particularly in downtown areas on weekend evenings, which can be livelier due to the presence of colleges and bars. The dossier notes that crime rates rose in 2019 and mentions a suspect claiming AI face recognition failed in a March 2026 incident, indicating that while crime is low, it does occur. Pickpocketing is considered a low risk, but standard vigilance in any tourist area is always prudent.
Travelers should be prepared for Fargo's climate. Winters are notoriously cold with heavy snowfall and significant wind chill, requiring appropriate attire and caution when driving on icy roads. Summers can bring severe thunderstorms, including hail and the threat of tornadoes, so monitoring weather alerts is recommended. The CDC has issued global health notices for Polio, Dengue, and Measles, underscoring the importance of ensuring your vaccinations are up-to-date and having travel insurance.
To ensure a safe trip, pack for extreme weather conditions, both cold and potential summer storms. Be mindful of your belongings in any public space, and stay informed about local weather advisories. While Fargo is considered safe, exercising common sense and preparedness will enhance your travel experience.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Fargo districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Fargo safety map.
Industrial Park (near I-94)avoidSparsely populated, poorly lit after dark; higher risk of theft and vandalism; not recommended for visitors at night.
Downtown FargocautionGenerally safe by day; weekend nightlife can be rowdy with increased petty crime and disturbances near bars and NDSU campus.
North FargocautionMixed-use area with higher foot traffic near NDSU; occasional reports of theft and disturbances, especially after dark.
South FargocautionSee higher property crime rates; vigilance advised for vehicle security and personal belongings in public spaces.
East Fargo / Moorhead bordercautionTransit-heavy zone with increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic; watch for scams and pickpocketing in crowded areas.
West FargosaferResidential area with low crime rates; considered one of the safer parts of the metro area for visitors and residents.
Rose CreeksaferSouthwest Fargo neighborhood frequently cited as among the safest in the city with low violent and property crime.
DaviessaferWell-regarded residential zone with strong safety ratings and minimal crime incidents reported in recent data.
07 · After Dark
Is Fargo safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Violent crime rates are at or below national averages, with specific incidents being rare.
After dark, be most careful around Industrial Park (near I-94), Downtown Fargo, North Fargo, South Fargo. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Fargo safety FAQ
Is Fargo safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Fargo is a safe city for travelers, with risks generally low and comparable to other US cities of its size. Fargo presents a low risk for violent crime and terrorism. While official advisories suggest exercising increased caution, this is a general recommendation for the US rather than specific to Fargo. Travelers should be aware of seasonal weather extremes and exercise standard precautions against petty crime. (Assessed 31 August 2026.)
Which areas of Fargo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Industrial Park (near I-94) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Fargo?
- Phishing and online scams targeting personal information or money.
- Impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials or known contacts.
How does Fargo compare with other places in United States?
Fargo ranks #7 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 80/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this Fargo safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More United States reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: fargo.json (CC BY 4.0).