CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Harrisburg, South Dakota Safe?

Population 10,405 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Harrisburg is a smaller community of 10,405 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 244.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,487 per 100K.

Harrisburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHarrisburgSouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate383.4325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2057.72020.61,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate257.0--268.2
Theft Rate1487.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate421.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

244.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

383/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2058/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Harrisburg

Violent crime in Harrisburg is close to the national average. The rate of 383.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2057.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,487 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Harrisburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault257
096% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary300
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,487
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft421
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Harrisburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harrisburg
383.4
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harrisburg
2057.7
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Harrisburg Safety

Is Harrisburg safe?
Not especially. Harrisburg earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.1 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 Harrisburg?
244.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 383.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2057.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Harrisburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Harrisburg's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,487 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Harrisburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Harrisburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Harrisburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Harrisburg?
No. Crime in Harrisburg has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Harrisburg compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Below average for the state. Harrisburg ranks behind about 73% of South Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Harrisburg to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Harrisburg?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.1 per-thousand rate put Harrisburg below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 383 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Harrisburg?
383.4 per 100,000, which is 5% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (257), robbery (74), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in South Dakota

Similar-sized communities in South Dakota. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Brandon11,306 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Vermillion11,720 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Pierre13,848 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Box Elder13,936 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Spearfish14,154 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Huron14,607 pop · Grade C-
View all South Dakota city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Harrisburg

Get weekly safety updates for Harrisburg

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities