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C

Is Duluth, Minnesota Safe?

Population 88,330 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Duluth earns a C safety grade with 221.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 68% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,247 per 100K.

Duluth Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDuluthMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate302.3323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1913.92036.71,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate174.0--268.2
Theft Rate1247.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate455.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

221.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

302/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1914/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Duluth

Violent crime in Duluth is below the national average. The rate of 302.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1913.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,247 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Duluth Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault174
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery67
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary364
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,247
089% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft455
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Duluth Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Duluth
302.3
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Duluth
1913.9
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Duluth Safety

Is Duluth safe?
Not especially. Duluth earns a C with a crime rate of 221.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Duluth?
221.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 302.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1913.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Duluth safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Duluth's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,247 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Duluth?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Duluth generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Duluth police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Duluth?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Duluth's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Duluth compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. Duluth ranks behind about 64% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Duluth 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 Duluth?
Bad. A C grade and 221.6 per-thousand rate put Duluth below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 302 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Duluth?
302.3 per 100,000, which is 17% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (174), robbery (67), and murder (3.0) 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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