Safest Cities in South Dakota (2023)

South Dakota Safety Analysis

• South Dakota ranks #21 out of 51 states for overall safety, above the national median. The state's 2 tracked cities show a mixed picture, with pockets of both high and low crime across a population of 396,107.
• The average violent crime rate across South Dakota cities is 403 per 100K residents, which is 16% below the national average of 481/100K. This lower rate reflects relatively fewer assaults, robberies, and homicides compared to the rest of the country.
• Property crime averages 2,990/100K across South Dakota, 5% below the national average of 3,153/100K. Residents face lower risk of burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft compared to most states.
• Only 12% of crime in South Dakota is violent, well below the typical 20-25% national share. While property crime remains the primary concern, the risk of violent victimization is comparatively low.
• Rapid City tops South Dakota's safety rankings with a score of 69/100. While this is above the midpoint, even the safest city in the state does not reach the 70+ threshold associated with the nation's safest communities.