Wyoming’s Dark Side: Crime Stats for 1972

In 1972, Wyoming had one of the highest rates of violent crime per capita in the country, a trend that would continue to plague the state for years to come. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the Badger State’s violent crime rate was significantly higher than the national average.

The UCR program, established in 1930, relied on voluntary reporting from law enforcement agencies across the country to collect crime data. While some critics argued that the program was incomplete and inconsistent, it remained the primary source of crime statistics in the United States for decades. In 1972, the UCR reported that Wyoming had a violent crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, a staggering 25% higher than the national average.

Across the country, the 1970s were marked by rising crime rates, particularly in urban areas. The decade saw the emergence of new forms of crime, including carjacking and home invasion. As the nation struggled to cope with the consequences of social upheaval and economic uncertainty, crime rates continued to climb. In Wyoming, the trend was no different. The state’s small-town charm and rural landscape belied a darker reality.

The FBI’s UCR program noted that Wyoming’s crime rates were influenced by the state’s geographic isolation and relatively small population. However, these factors did little to explain the state’s persistently high rates of violent crime. In 1972, Wyoming had a murder rate of 7.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, more than twice the national average. The state also reported a higher rate of aggravated assault and robbery.

In the years that followed, Wyoming’s crime rates continued to climb. The state’s law enforcement agencies struggled to keep pace with the rising tide of violence, and the state’s residents began to demand action. As the nation grappled with the consequences of its own crime wave, Wyoming’s residents knew they were not alone. But the state’s unique challenges and harsh environment made it a particularly dark place in 1972.