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D+

Is Box Elder, South Dakota Safe?

Population 13,936 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Box Elder runs high. The city's D+ grade puts it below 80% of US cities, with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,593 per 100K.

Box Elder Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBox ElderSouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate273.9325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2277.72020.61,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate223.0--268.2
Theft Rate1593.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate347.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

255.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

274/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2278/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Box Elder

Violent crime in Box Elder is below the national average. The rate of 273.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2277.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,593 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Box Elder Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault223
083% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary284
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,593
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft347
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Box Elder Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Box Elder
273.9
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Box Elder
2277.7
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Box Elder Safety

Is Box Elder safe?
Not especially. Box Elder earns a D+ with a crime rate of 255.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Box Elder?
255.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 273.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2277.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Box Elder safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Box Elder's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,593 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Box Elder?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Box Elder generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Box Elder police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Box Elder?
No. Crime in Box Elder has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Box Elder compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Below average for the state. Box Elder ranks behind about 80% of South Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Box Elder to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Box Elder?
Bad. A D+ grade and 255.2 per-thousand rate put Box Elder below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 274 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Box Elder?
273.9 per 100,000, which is 25% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (223), robbery (36), and murder (5.0) 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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