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D

Is South St. Paul, Minnesota Safe?

Population 20,532 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in South St. Paul runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 83% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,488 per 100K.

South St. Paul Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth St. PaulMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate392.1323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2265.92036.71,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate316.0--268.2
Theft Rate1488.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate344.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

265.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

392/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2266/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South St. Paul

Violent crime in South St. Paul is close to the national average. The rate of 392.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2265.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,488 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 316 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

South St. Paul Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault316
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery47
074% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary400
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,488
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft344
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South St. Paul Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South St. Paul
392.1
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South St. Paul
2265.9
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South St. Paul Safety

Is South St. Paul safe?
Not especially. South St. Paul earns a D with a crime rate of 265.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in South St. Paul?
265.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 392.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2265.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South St. Paul safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. South St. Paul's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,488 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South St. Paul?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South St. Paul generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South St. Paul police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South St. Paul?
Yes, there's been an uptick. South St. Paul's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does South St. Paul compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. South St. Paul ranks behind about 85% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is South St. Paul to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in South St. Paul?
Bad. A D grade and 265.8 per-thousand rate put South St. Paul below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 392 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in South St. Paul?
392.1 per 100,000, which is 8% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (316), robbery (47), and murder (7.0) 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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