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C+

Is Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Safe?

Population 10,019 · Safer than 48% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Detroit Lakes is a smaller community of 10,019 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 185.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 987 per 100K.

Detroit Lakes Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDetroit LakesMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate217.6323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1638.12036.71,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate168.0--268.2
Theft Rate987.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate159.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

185.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

218/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1638/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Detroit Lakes

Violent crime in Detroit Lakes is well below the national average. The rate of 217.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1638.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 987 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Detroit Lakes Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault168
063% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary187
069% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft987
070% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft159
050% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Detroit Lakes Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Detroit Lakes
217.6
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Detroit Lakes
1638.1
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Detroit Lakes Safety

Is Detroit Lakes safe?
It depends on where in Detroit Lakes you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime well below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Detroit Lakes?
185.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 217.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1638.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Detroit Lakes safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Detroit Lakes generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Detroit Lakes police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Detroit Lakes?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Detroit Lakes's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Detroit Lakes compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Middle of the pack for Minnesota. Detroit Lakes isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 47th percentile among Minnesota cities.
How safe is Detroit Lakes to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Detroit Lakes?
Mixed. Violent crime is well 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 48th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Detroit Lakes?
217.6 per 100,000, which is 40% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (168), robbery (39), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Minnesota city safety grades

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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.

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