Safest cities in South Dakota

Known as the 'Mount Rushmore State,' South Dakota is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant communities. Located in the northern Great Plains, South Dakota offers a diverse landscape that includes the Badlands, Black Hills, and expansive prairies. The state's economy is driven by industries such as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Rapid City, near Mount Rushmore, and Sioux Falls, the largest city, are cultural and economic hubs known for their thriving arts scenes, historic sites, and outdoor recreational opportunities. South Dakota is also home to numerous national parks and monuments, providing ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring its natural wonders.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in South Dakota, making the safest cities highly desirable places to live. Safety provides a foundation for economic stability and community well-being, allowing residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Factors that contribute to the safety of South Dakota's cities include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen participation. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a reliable measure of security. This emphasis on safety ensures that residents can enjoy the many amenities and natural attractions South Dakota has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

Brandon Population: 10,030 669 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 55 Property Crime / 100k: 614 chance of being a victim: 1 in 150

Brandon proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in South Dakota. With only 669 crimes per 100,000 people, Brandon has a crime rate that is 89% lower than the South Dakota average. This equates to an average of 0.20 crimes per day and a 1 in 150 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.

Madison Population: 7,249 804 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 134 Property Crime / 100k: 670 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Madison comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in South Dakota with a crime rate of 804 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 84 counts of burglary, 553 counts of theft, 34 counts of vehicle theft, 67 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 67 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Madison, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Belle Fourche Population: 5,628 1,397 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 121 Property Crime / 100k: 1,276 chance of being a victim: 1 in 72

With a population of 5,628 and a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100,000 residents, Belle Fourche is the 3rd safest city in South Dakota. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the South Dakota 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.

Brookings Population: 24,479 1,488 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 177 Property Crime / 100k: 1,311 chance of being a victim: 1 in 67

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Brookings 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 1,488, 76% lower than the South Dakota average. This amounts to 0.97 crimes per day and a 1 in 67 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 Brookings a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Tea Population: 5,714 1,596 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 203 Property Crime / 100k: 1,393 chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Tea consistently ranks high in safety. In Tea, 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 1,596, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Watertown Population: 22,249 1,778 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 219 Property Crime / 100k: 1,559 chance of being a victim: 1 in 56

Watertown has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in South Dakota. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,778 crimes per 100,000 people, 77% lower than the South Dakota average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 298 reports of burglary, 1,126 reports of theft, 136 reports of vehicle theft, 123 reports of assault, 4 reports of robbery, 92 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Box Elder Population: 9,937 1,849 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 401 Property Crime / 100k: 1,448 chance of being a victim: 1 in 54

Box Elder ranks as the seventh safest city in South Dakota and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.64 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. Box Elder’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in South Dakota.

Aberdeen Population: 28,315 1,929 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 365 Property Crime / 100k: 1,564 chance of being a victim: 1 in 52

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Aberdeen is the 8th safest city in South Dakota. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 72% lower than the South Dakota average, reporting a total of 1,929 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.

Pierre Population: 13,908 2,268 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 494 Property Crime / 100k: 1,774 chance of being a victim: 1 in 44

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Pierre is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in South Dakota, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 2,268 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 86% lower than the state average.

Spearfish Population: 11,702 2,612 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 248 Property Crime / 100k: 2,365 chance of being a victim: 1 in 38

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in South Dakota, is Spearfish. With a low rate of crime that included 208 burglaries, 2,013 thefts, 144 vehicle thefts, 104 assaults, 8 robberies, 128 rapes and 8 homicides, the overall crime rate was 87% 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 South Dakota

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Brandon	10,030	55	614	669
2	Madison	7,249	134	670	804
3	Belle Fourche	5,628	121	1,276	1,397
4	Brookings	24,479	177	1,311	1,488
5	Tea	5,714	203	1,393	1,596
6	Watertown	22,249	219	1,559	1,778
7	Box Elder	9,937	401	1,448	1,849
8	Aberdeen	28,315	365	1,564	1,929
9	Pierre	13,908	494	1,774	2,268
10	Spearfish	11,702	248	2,365	2,612
11	Mitchell	15,599	327	2,484	2,811
12	Yankton	14,619	400	2,592	2,992
13	Sturgis	6,914	435	2,626	3,061
14	Sioux Falls	180,927	546	3,083	3,629
15	Rapid City	76,541	682	3,586	4,267

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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

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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.