Crime On The Range: North Dakota 1940

Violent crime was on the rise in North Dakota during 1940, bucking the national trend. The state’s homicide rate per 100,000 residents jumped to 4.6, significantly higher than the national average. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which started collecting crime data in 1930, North Dakota’s murder rate was among the top 10 states in the country for the second consecutive year.

The increase in violent crime in North Dakota coincided with a period of rapid economic growth and population expansion. The discovery of oil in the state’s western region had brought a surge of new residents and jobs, putting a strain on local law enforcement. As the U.S. economy continued to recover from the Great Depression, North Dakota’s oil boomtowns experienced a wave of crime, including bootlegging, theft, and assault.

The FBI UCR program reported that larceny, or theft, was the most common crime in North Dakota during 1940, accounting for nearly 70% of all reported offenses. This trend was consistent with national crime statistics, which showed that theft was the leading crime in the United States. The FBI also reported a significant increase in burglary and auto theft, both of which were likely linked to the state’s economic boom.

The violent crime spike in North Dakota was not limited to murder. Assaults, including barroom brawls and altercations between oil workers and local residents, became increasingly common. The state’s law enforcement agencies struggled to keep up with the growing demand for services, and the number of arrests increased significantly during the year.

Despite the challenges, law enforcement officials in North Dakota were optimistic about the future. With the start of World War II, the state’s economy would soon shift from oil to war production, bringing new jobs and opportunities. While crime would continue to be a problem, the state’s law enforcement agencies were better equipped to handle the demands of a growing population and a booming economy.