| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Belle Fourche/100k people | South Dakota/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 86 | n/a (estimate) | 1,443 | 1,968 | 2,281 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.9 | 5.7 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 67.1 | 50.3 | 38.0 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 20.4 | 66.5 |
| Assault | 11 | n/a | 184.6 | 276.1 | 264.1 |
| Violent crime | 15 | n/a (estimate) | 252 | 350 | 364 |
| Burglary | 9 | n/a | 151.0 | 222.1 | 250.7 |
| Theft | 57 | n/a | 956.4 | 1,151.4 | 1,347.2 |
| Vehicle theft | 5 | n/a | 83.9 | 244.9 | 318.7 |
| Property crime | 71 | n/a (estimate) | 1,191 | 1,618 | 1,917 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Belle Fourche is 39.9% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 7 violent crimes reported in Belle Fourche, equivalent to 121 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 67.4%. Additionally, Belle Fourche recorded 74 property crimes, amounting to 1276 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 34.7%.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Belle Fourche reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Belle Fourche, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Belle Fourche presents a total crime rate that is 40% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Belle Fourche experiences an average of 0.22 daily crimes, comprising 0.02 violent incidents and 0.2 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Belle Fourche. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Belle Fourche has decreased by 31.9%. Violent crimes have decreased by 50%, while property crimes have decreased by 29.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Belle Fourche crime rates. In Belle Fourche, the poverty rate stands at 11.6%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Belle Fourche, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 6.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Belle Fourche has a population density of 635.7 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Belle Fourche crime rates.
| Item | Belle Fourche | South Dakota | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 12 | 995 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | South Dakota /100K | National /100K |
| South Dakota | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| North Spearfish, SD | 2,251 | 84 | 387 | 470 |
| Whitewood, SD | 986 | 375 | 1,734 | 2,109 |
| Spearfish, SD | 11,702 | 188 | 1,966 | 2,154 |
| Belle Fourche, SD | 5,628 | 252 | 1,191 | 1,443 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Groveport, OH | 5,630 | 104 | 950 | 1,054 |
| Trooper, PA | 5,626 | 87 | 514 | 600 |
| Turpin Hills, OH | 5,631 | 93 | 550 | 643 |
| Lake Fenton, MI | 5,631 | 149 | 503 | 652 |
| Campbelltown, PA | 5,632 | 166 | 985 | 1,151 |
| Belle Fourche, SD | 5,628 | 252 | 1,191 | 1,443 |
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