Car Theft Study Shows Montana Ranks 25th in the Nation

Researchers at High Rise Financial recently analyzed data from the FBI to determine which states have the highest rates of car theft. The study looked at the average number of car thefts for every 100,000 people in each state from 2019 to 2023.

Car Theft Rates in Montana

In Montana, the study found that it ranks 25th in the United States for average monthly car thefts per 100,000 people. On average, Montana had about 19.62 car thefts per 100,000 people each month during this period. The highest number of thefts occurred in 2019, with an average of 19.15 per 100,000, while the lowest occurred in 2023, with an average of 15.87 per 100,000.

Data Sources and Rankings

The data for this study was collected from the FBI Crime Data Explorer and covers reported car thefts per 100,000 people for each state for each month from 2019 to 2023. The rankings are based on the average number of car thefts per 100,000 people each month over this period.

Importance for Montana Residents and Travelers

This information is important for people living or traveling in Montana, as they should be aware of the risk of car theft. To protect their vehicles, it is recommended to park in well-lit areas, keep windows closed and valuables out of sight, and consider using anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or alarm systems.

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Car Theft Trends in Western States

The study also found that the western region of the United States, including states like Colorado, New Mexico, and Washington, had the highest rates of car theft. The years 2022 and 2023 saw an increase in car theft rates in many of these states, possibly due to the lingering economic effects of the pandemic.