ID 333758402 © Dmitrii Melnikov | Dreamstime.com

By LNN Staff

Fraser Institute Study

Lethbridge among highest property and violent crime rates in Canada

Feb 19, 2025 | 12:01 PM

It appears Lethbridge has one of the higher crime rates among Canada’s census metropolitan areas.

According to a new study by the Fraser Institute comparing recent crime trends in urban areas in Canada and the United States, from 2019-2022, Lethbridge had the highest property crime rate at 5,521 per 100,000 among census metropolitan areas, more than twice the national average of urban areas at 2,513.

Just below Lethbridge was Kelowna at 4,932 and Regina at 4,496. Edmonton ranked 5th for property crime rates while Calgary ranked 7th.

Meantime, Lethbridge was fifth overall among census metropolitan areas from 2019-2022 for rates of violent crime at just over 400 per 100,000. Winnipeg, MB, led the way at 675 followed by Thunder Bay, On, at 546 per 100,000.

Elsewhere, Edmonton ranked 6th while Calgary ranked 11th out of 36 Canadian urban areas in violent crime.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“When it comes to Canada’s five largest cities, Calgary and Vancouver have the distinction of comparatively higher rates of violent and property crime, respectively, compared to the country’s other major metro areas,” said Livio Di Matteo, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and author of Comparing Recent Crime Trends in Canada and the US Urban Areas.

“Crime rates in Canadian cities, while still historically low, are on the rise and should be of greater concern for both citizens and policymakers.”

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.