Safest cities in South Dakota

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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.

Madison Population: 7,249 890 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 725 chance of being a victim: 1 in 112

Madison proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in South Dakota. With only 890 crimes per 100,000 people, Madison has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the South Dakota average. This equates to an average of 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 112 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.

Brookings Population: 24,479 1,279 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 103 Property Crime / 100k: 1,176 chance of being a victim: 1 in 78

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Brookings comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in South Dakota with a crime rate of 1,279 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 86 counts of burglary, 1,032 counts of theft, 58 counts of vehicle theft, 78 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 25 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Brookings, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Tea Population: 5,714 1,297 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 105 Property Crime / 100k: 1,192 chance of being a victim: 1 in 77

With a population of 5,714 and a total crime rate of 1,297 per 100,000 residents, Tea is the 3rd safest city in South Dakota. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% 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.

Belle Fourche Population: 5,628 1,443 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 252 Property Crime / 100k: 1,191 chance of being a victim: 1 in 69

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Belle Fourche 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 1,443, 94% lower than the South Dakota average. This amounts to 0.24 crimes per day and a 1 in 69 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 Belle Fourche a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Vermillion Population: 10,852 1,715 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 200 Property Crime / 100k: 1,515 chance of being a victim: 1 in 58

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Vermillion consistently ranks high in safety. In Vermillion, 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 1,715, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Watertown Population: 22,249 1,966 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 289 Property Crime / 100k: 1,677 chance of being a victim: 1 in 51

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 1,966 crimes per 100,000 people, 77% lower than the South Dakota average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 134 reports of burglary, 1,444 reports of theft, 99 reports of vehicle theft, 224 reports of assault, 9 reports of robbery, 56 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Box Elder Population: 9,937 2,098 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 441 Property Crime / 100k: 1,657 chance of being a victim: 1 in 48

Box Elder ranks as the seventh safest city in South Dakota and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 48 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.74 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.

Spearfish Population: 11,702 2,154 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 188 Property Crime / 100k: 1,966 chance of being a victim: 1 in 46

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Spearfish 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 87% lower than the South Dakota average, reporting a total of 2,154 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.

Aberdeen Population: 28,315 2,192 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 502 Property Crime / 100k: 1,690 chance of being a victim: 1 in 46

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Aberdeen 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 2,192 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 72% lower than the state average.

Huron Population: 13,289 2,232 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 185 Property Crime / 100k: 2,047 chance of being a victim: 1 in 45

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in South Dakota, is Huron. With a low rate of crime that included 69 burglaries, 1,895 thefts, 82 vehicle thefts, 144 assaults, 7 robberies, 34 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 85% 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	Madison	7,249	165	725	890
2	Brookings	24,479	103	1,176	1,279
3	Tea	5,714	105	1,192	1,297
4	Belle Fourche	5,628	252	1,191	1,443
5	Vermillion	10,852	200	1,515	1,715
6	Watertown	22,249	289	1,677	1,966
7	Box Elder	9,937	441	1,657	2,098
8	Spearfish	11,702	188	1,966	2,154
9	Aberdeen	28,315	502	1,690	2,192
10	Huron	13,289	185	2,047	2,232
11	Mitchell	15,599	326	2,165	2,491
12	Yankton	14,619	353	2,412	2,765
13	Pierre	13,908	460	2,348	2,808
14	Sioux Falls	180,927	435	2,429	2,864
15	Sturgis	6,914	389	2,484	2,873
16	Rapid City	76,541	742	3,897	4,639

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.