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D-

Is Rochester, Minnesota Safe?

Population 124,292 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Rochester faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 86% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,756 per 100K.

Rochester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRochesterMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate259.7323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2524.72036.71,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate207.0--268.2
Theft Rate1756.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate289.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

278.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

260/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2525/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Rochester

Violent crime in Rochester is below the national average. The rate of 259.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2524.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,756 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Rochester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault207
077% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary271
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,756
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft289
091% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Rochester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rochester
259.7
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rochester
2524.7
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rochester Safety

Is Rochester safe?
Not especially. Rochester earns a D- with a crime rate of 278.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Rochester?
278.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 259.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2524.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Rochester safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Rochester's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,756 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Rochester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Rochester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Rochester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Rochester?
Crime rates have held steady in Rochester, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D- grade.
How does Rochester compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. Rochester ranks behind about 90% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Rochester to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Rochester?
Bad. A D- grade and 278.4 per-thousand rate put Rochester below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 260 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Rochester?
259.7 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (207), robbery (42), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Minnesota

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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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