CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C

Is Brainerd, Minnesota Safe?

Population 14,428 · Safer than 38% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Brainerd is a smaller community of 14,428 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 207.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,498 per 100K.

Brainerd Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBrainerdMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate282.7323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1790.02036.71,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate184.0--268.2
Theft Rate1498.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate263.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

207.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

283/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1790/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Brainerd

Violent crime in Brainerd is below the national average. The rate of 282.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1790.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,498 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Brainerd Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault184
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery32
051% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary309
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,498
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft263
083% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Brainerd Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brainerd
282.7
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brainerd
1790.0
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brainerd Safety

Is Brainerd safe?
Not especially. Brainerd earns a C with a crime rate of 207.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Brainerd?
207.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 282.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1790.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Brainerd safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Brainerd has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Brainerd?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Brainerd generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Brainerd police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Brainerd?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Brainerd's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Brainerd compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. Brainerd ranks behind about 71% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Brainerd to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Brainerd?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 38th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Brainerd?
282.7 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (184), robbery (32), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Minnesota

Similar-sized communities in Minnesota. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Lake Elmo14,376 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Fergus Falls14,246 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Hutchinson14,655 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Marshall14,171 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in North Mankato14,165 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Waconia14,113 pop · Grade C
View all Minnesota city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Brainerd

Get weekly safety updates for Brainerd

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities