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C

Is Aberdeen, South Dakota Safe?

Population 27,961 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Aberdeen is a smaller community of 27,961 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 222.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,252 per 100K.

Aberdeen Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAberdeenSouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate402.4325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1819.62020.61,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate337.0--268.2
Theft Rate1252.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate268.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

402/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1820/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Aberdeen

Violent crime in Aberdeen is close to the national average. The rate of 402.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1819.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,252 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 337 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Aberdeen Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault337
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery79
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary209
077% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,252
089% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft268
084% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Aberdeen Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Aberdeen
402.4
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Aberdeen
1819.6
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Aberdeen Safety

Is Aberdeen safe?
Not especially. Aberdeen earns a C with a crime rate of 222.2 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 Aberdeen?
222.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 402.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1819.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Aberdeen safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Aberdeen's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,252 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Aberdeen?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Aberdeen generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Aberdeen police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Aberdeen?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Aberdeen's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Aberdeen compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Below average for the state. Aberdeen ranks behind about 68% of South Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen?
Bad. A C grade and 222.2 per-thousand rate put Aberdeen below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 402 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Aberdeen?
402.4 per 100,000, which is 11% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (337), robbery (79), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

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View all South Dakota 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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