Safest cities in Minnesota

Known as the 'North Star State,' Minnesota is celebrated for its beautiful lakes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the northern United States, Minnesota is known for its diverse landscapes, including vast forests, rolling prairies, and over 10,000 lakes. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as healthcare, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the 'Twin Cities,' are cultural and economic hubs, offering a wide array of attractions, including museums, theaters, and music venues. Minnesota is also home to numerous parks and recreational areas, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities year-round, from hiking and fishing in the summer to skiing and ice fishing in the winter.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Minnesota particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Minnesota's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Minnesota's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Montevideo Population: 5,071 39 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 39 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Montevideo proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Minnesota. With only 39 crimes per 100,000 people, Montevideo has a crime rate that is 95% lower than the Minnesota average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 2,590 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

New Ulm Population: 13,209 164 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 164 chance of being a victim: 1 in 612

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, New Ulm comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Minnesota with a crime rate of 164 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 14 counts of burglary, 149 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in New Ulm, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

La Crescent Population: 5,135 230 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 38 Property Crime / 100k: 191 chance of being a victim: 1 in 435

With a population of 5,135 and a total crime rate of 230 per 100,000 residents, La Crescent is the 3rd safest city in Minnesota. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 95% lower than the Minnesota average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Big Lake Population: 11,085 309 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 55 Property Crime / 100k: 253 chance of being a victim: 1 in 324

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Big Lake is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 309, 87% lower than the Minnesota average. This amounts to 0.11 crimes per day and a 1 in 324 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Big Lake a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Corcoran Population: 6,113 370 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 343 chance of being a victim: 1 in 270

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Corcoran consistently ranks high in safety. In Corcoran, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 370, which is 93% lower than the state average.

St. Joseph Population: 7,448 519 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 476 chance of being a victim: 1 in 193

St. Joseph has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Minnesota. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 519 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Minnesota average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 115 reports of burglary, 317 reports of theft, 43 reports of vehicle theft, 14 reports of assault, 14 reports of robbery, 14 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Medina Population: 6,549 548 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 503 chance of being a victim: 1 in 183

Medina ranks as the seventh safest city in Minnesota and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 183 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.10 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Medina’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Minnesota.

Rosemount Population: 24,792 614 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 567 chance of being a victim: 1 in 163

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Rosemount is the 8th safest city in Minnesota. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 72% lower than the Minnesota average, reporting a total of 614 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

East Grand Forks Population: 8,555 633 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 111 Property Crime / 100k: 522 chance of being a victim: 1 in 158

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. East Grand Forks is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Minnesota, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 633 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Orono Population: 8,217 644 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 120 Property Crime / 100k: 525 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Minnesota, is Orono. With a low rate of crime that included 120 burglaries, 343 thefts, 62 vehicle thefts, 83 assaults, 5 robberies, 26 rapes and 5 homicides, the overall crime rate was 81% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Minnesota

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Montevideo	5,071	0	39	39
2	New Ulm	13,209	0	164	164
3	La Crescent	5,135	38	191	230
4	Big Lake	11,085	55	253	309
5	Corcoran	6,113	27	343	370
6	St. Joseph	7,448	43	476	519
7	Medina	6,549	44	503	548
8	Rosemount	24,792	47	567	614
9	East Grand Forks	8,555	111	522	633
10	Orono	8,217	120	525	644
11	Dayton	6,258	22	639	661
12	Jordan	6,289	102	566	668
13	Farmington	22,996	89	582	671
14	Marshall	13,604	220	454	674
15	Minnetrista	7,989	36	684	721
16	Lakeville	65,710	77	674	751
17	Buffalo	16,413	12	744	756
18	New Prague	8,022	60	706	766
19	Belle Plaine	7,137	121	659	780
20	Ramsey	27,201	70	714	784
21	Hibbing	15,923	31	770	801
22	Kasson	6,425	100	715	815
23	Northfield	20,399	125	742	868
24	Chaska	26,753	96	787	883
25	Savage	31,758	75	845	920
26	Lake City	5,050	94	865	959
27	Stillwater	19,471	98	887	985
28	St. Peter	11,934	155	833	987
29	Cottage Grove	37,120	71	940	1,011
30	Lino Lakes	21,748	73	941	1,014
31	Grand Rapids	11,218	149	896	1,045
32	Isanti	6,016	96	951	1,047
33	St. Paul Park	5,404	92	958	1,050
34	North Mankato	13,903	125	930	1,055
35	Waseca	8,892	140	962	1,102
36	Litchfield	6,640	46	1,079	1,125
37	Worthington	13,093	257	874	1,131
38	Champlin	24,980	109	1,037	1,146
39	Hutchinson	13,935	287	978	1,265
40	Owatonna	25,716	227	1,038	1,265
41	Glencoe	5,488	176	1,106	1,282
42	Plymouth	78,879	59	1,255	1,313
43	North Branch	10,585	157	1,215	1,373
44	Eden Prairie	64,481	77	1,303	1,380
45	Wyoming	7,976	111	1,272	1,383
46	St. Francis	7,793	153	1,329	1,482
47	Hastings	22,796	170	1,323	1,493
48	Anoka	17,512	252	1,265	1,517
49	Fairmont	10,042	231	1,312	1,543
50	Woodbury	71,298	97	1,476	1,573

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Minnesota is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Minnesota cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.