CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Buffalo, Minnesota Safe?

Population 16,878 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Buffalo is a smaller community of 16,878 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 241.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,554 per 100K.

Buffalo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBuffaloMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate283.8323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2127.02036.71,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate187.0--268.2
Theft Rate1554.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate541.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

241.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

284/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2127/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Buffalo

Violent crime in Buffalo is below the national average. The rate of 283.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2127.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,554 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Buffalo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault187
070% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery40
063% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary324
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,554
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft541
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Buffalo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Buffalo
283.8
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Buffalo
2127.0
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Safety

Is Buffalo safe?
Not especially. Buffalo earns a D+ with a crime rate of 241.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Buffalo?
241.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 283.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2127.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Buffalo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Buffalo's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,554 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Buffalo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Buffalo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Buffalo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Buffalo?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Buffalo's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Buffalo compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. Buffalo ranks behind about 66% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Buffalo 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 Buffalo?
Bad. A D+ grade and 241.1 per-thousand rate put Buffalo below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 284 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Buffalo?
283.8 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (187), robbery (40), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Minnesota

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

C
See crime rates in Red Wing16,805 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Ham Lake17,104 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Hugo17,167 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Hibbing15,823 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Bemidji15,770 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Monticello15,670 pop · Grade C
View all Minnesota city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Buffalo

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