South Dakota's 25 Safest Cities - Updated 2023

Safe Havens Unveiled: Exploring the 25 Safest Cities in South Dakota

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world where safety and security are paramount, finding the perfect place to call home becomes a top priority. Join us on a journey as we uncover the 25 safest cities across South Dakota. From tranquil suburbs to vibrant urban centers, these communities offer not only peace of mind but also a high quality of life.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in South Dakota is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in South Dakota. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in South Dakota.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in South Dakota with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within South Dakota. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#19 Spearfish

County: Lawrence

2,039

Crime per 100,000 population

-6.6%

vs. South Dakota average

-29.98%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Spearfish from 2012 to 2022

Spearfish is an area in Lawrence, South Dakota with population of 12,031. The total crime rate in Spearfish is based on the nearest law agency agency, Spearfish Police Department (SD0400300). Spearfish total crime rate is 2,039 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Spearfish

#18 Vermillion

County: Clay

1,084

Crime per 100,000 population

-50.32%

vs. South Dakota average

-62.76%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Vermillion from 2012 to 2022

Vermillion is an area in Clay, South Dakota with population of 11,506. The total crime rate in Vermillion is based on the nearest law agency agency, Clay County Sheriff's Office (SD0130000). Vermillion total crime rate is 1,084 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Vermillion

#17 Rapid Valley

County: Pennington

1,011

Crime per 100,000 population

-53.65%

vs. South Dakota average

-65.25%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Rapid Valley from 2012 to 2022

Rapid Valley is an area in Pennington, South Dakota with population of 7,875. The total crime rate in Rapid Valley is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pennington County Sheriff's Office (SD0510000). Rapid Valley total crime rate is 1,011 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Rapid Valley

#16 Rapid City

County: Pennington

1,011

Crime per 100,000 population

-53.65%

vs. South Dakota average

-65.25%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Rapid City from 2012 to 2022

Rapid City is an area in Pennington, South Dakota with population of 88,076. The total crime rate in Rapid City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pennington County Sheriff's Office (SD0510000). Rapid City total crime rate is 1,011 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Rapid City

#15 Box Elder

County: Pennington

1,011

Crime per 100,000 population

-53.65%

vs. South Dakota average

-65.25%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Box Elder from 2012 to 2022

Box Elder is an area in Pennington, South Dakota with population of 11,527. The total crime rate in Box Elder is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pennington County Sheriff's Office (SD0510000). Box Elder total crime rate is 1,011 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Box Elder

#14 Belle Fourche

County: Butte

840

Crime per 100,000 population

-61.51%

vs. South Dakota average

-71.14%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Belle Fourche from 2012 to 2022

Belle Fourche is an area in Butte, South Dakota with population of 5,561. The total crime rate in Belle Fourche is based on the nearest law agency agency, Butte County Sheriff's Office (SD0090000). Belle Fourche total crime rate is 840 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Belle Fourche

#13 Yankton

County: Yankton

571

Crime per 100,000 population

-73.8%

vs. South Dakota average

-80.36%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Yankton from 2012 to 2022

Yankton is an area in Yankton, South Dakota with population of 15,332. The total crime rate in Yankton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Yankton County Sheriff's Office (SD0660000). Yankton total crime rate is 571 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Yankton

#12 Mitchell

County: Davison

458

Crime per 100,000 population

-78.99%

vs. South Dakota average

-84.25%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Mitchell from 2012 to 2022

Mitchell is an area in Davison, South Dakota with population of 15,677. The total crime rate in Mitchell is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mitchell Police Department (SD0170100). Mitchell total crime rate is 458 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Mitchell

#11 Madison

County: Lake

428

Crime per 100,000 population

-80.39%

vs. South Dakota average

-85.3%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Madison from 2012 to 2022

Madison is an area in Lake, South Dakota with population of 6,388. The total crime rate in Madison is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lake County Sheriff's Office (SD0390000). Madison total crime rate is 428 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Madison

#10 Aberdeen

County: Brown

236

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.19%

vs. South Dakota average

-91.9%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Aberdeen from 2012 to 2022

Aberdeen is an area in Brown, South Dakota with population of 28,500. The total crime rate in Aberdeen is based on the nearest law agency agency, Brown County Sheriff's Office (SD0060000). Aberdeen total crime rate is 236 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Aberdeen

#9 Brookings

County: Brookings

235

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.24%

vs. South Dakota average

-91.93%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Brookings from 2012 to 2022

Brookings is an area in Brookings, South Dakota with population of 23,432. The total crime rate in Brookings is based on the nearest law agency agency, Brookings County Sheriff's Office (SD0050000). Brookings total crime rate is 235 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Brookings

#8 Pierre

County: Hughes

201

Crime per 100,000 population

-90.76%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.07%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Pierre from 2012 to 2022

Pierre is an area in Hughes, South Dakota with population of 14,126. The total crime rate in Pierre is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hughes County Sheriff's Office (SD0320000). Pierre total crime rate is 201 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pierre

#7 Huron

County: Beadle

195

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.03%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.27%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Huron from 2012 to 2022

Huron is an area in Beadle, South Dakota with population of 14,060. The total crime rate in Huron is based on the nearest law agency agency, Beadle County Sheriff's Office (SD0020000). Huron total crime rate is 195 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Huron

#6 Tea

County: Lincoln

175

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.95%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.97%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Tea from 2012 to 2022

Tea is an area in Lincoln, South Dakota with population of 5,535. The total crime rate in Tea is based on the nearest law agency agency, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office (SD0490000). Tea total crime rate is 175 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Tea

#5 Sioux Falls

County: Minnehaha

175

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.95%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.97%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Sioux Falls from 2012 to 2022

Sioux Falls is an area in Minnehaha, South Dakota with population of 189,258. The total crime rate in Sioux Falls is based on the nearest law agency agency, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office (SD0490000). Sioux Falls total crime rate is 175 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sioux Falls

#4 Harrisburg

County: Lincoln

175

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.95%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.97%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Harrisburg from 2012 to 2022

Harrisburg is an area in Lincoln, South Dakota with population of 6,645. The total crime rate in Harrisburg is based on the nearest law agency agency, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office (SD0490000). Harrisburg total crime rate is 175 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Harrisburg

#3 Brandon

County: Minnehaha

175

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.95%

vs. South Dakota average

-93.97%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Brandon from 2012 to 2022

Brandon is an area in Minnehaha, South Dakota with population of 10,745. The total crime rate in Brandon is based on the nearest law agency agency, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office (SD0490000). Brandon total crime rate is 175 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Brandon

#2 Watertown

County: Codington

159

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.68%

vs. South Dakota average

-94.51%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Watertown from 2012 to 2022

Watertown is an area in Codington, South Dakota with population of 22,577. The total crime rate in Watertown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Codington County Sheriff's Office (SD0140000). Watertown total crime rate is 159 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Watertown

#1 Sturgis

County: Meade

145

Crime per 100,000 population

-93.34%

vs. South Dakota average

-95.01%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Sturgis from 2012 to 2022

Sturgis is an area in Meade, South Dakota with population of 7,088. The total crime rate in Sturgis is based on the nearest law agency agency, Meade County Sheriff's Office (SD0460000). Sturgis total crime rate is 145 per 100,000 population, compared to South Dakota average of 2,183.31 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sturgis

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in South Dakota

Safety Tips for Total Crime in South Dakota

Explore More on Crime Rates in South Dakota

Interested in learning more about crime rates in South Dakota? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in South Dakota for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in South Dakota.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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