Fact Brief

Has violent crime trended downward in North Dakota over the last decade?

No.

Violent crime in North Dakota has increased slightly over the past decade, according to FBI Crime Data Explorer statistics.

The North Dakota News Cooperative is partnering with Gigafact to produce timely fact briefs, which are quick, evidence-based fact checks about trending claims relevant to North Dakota.

In 2015, the state’s violent crime rate was 1,934 incidents per 100,000 people. By 2024, it had risen to 2,046 per 100,000, an increase of about 6 percent. The rate peaked in 2020 at 2,057 per 100,000, before falling slightly in recent years.

The FBI defines violent crime as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

While the national violent crime rate has fallen dramatically since the 1990s, North Dakota’s rate has risen during the same period, driven mostly by increases in aggravated assaults.

Experts attribute long-term national declines to improved policing, community programs, and demographic shifts, though recent trends vary by state.

This fact brief is in response to online conversations such as this one.

Sources:

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Crime Data Explorer
Bureau of Justice Statistics: Uniform Crime Reporting Program Definitions
U.S. Department of Justice: National Incident-Based Reporting System

Support independent journalism that puts North Dakota’s communities first. Your donation to the North Dakota News Cooperative helps us deliver in-depth reporting on the issues that matter most.

Donate Now

Did Argentina’s temporary suspension of taxes on agricultural exports have an effect on U.S. farmers?

Yes. Argentina’s temporary suspension of export taxes in September 2025 briefly increased competition for U.S. farmers, especially in the soybean market. The measure removed export duties on soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef until a $7 billion sales limit was reached. Within days, Argentine exporters filled that quota, prompting

Has the median age of a homebuyer in the US increased from 31 to 56 in the past few decades?

Yes. According to Apollo Global Management, the median age of a homebuyer was 56 in 2024, against 31 in 1981. In the past few decades, the median price of a house has risen faster than the median household income, though both rose faster than inflation for the overall economy. In

Does North Dakota lead the nation in low voter turnout?

No. While North Dakota’s voter turnout is often below the national average, it does not rank lowest in the country. In the 2022 midterm election, turnout in North Dakota was 41.7 percent compared to a national average of 46.2 percent. In the 2024 presidential election, 63.1

No.

Read next