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C+

Is Mitchell, South Dakota Safe?

Population 15,756 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 15,756, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Mitchell earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,230 per 100K.

Mitchell Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMitchellSouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate247.3325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1722.12020.61,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1230.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate223.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

196.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

247/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1722/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Mitchell

Violent crime in Mitchell is below the national average. The rate of 247.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1722.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,230 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Mitchell Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary189
070% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,230
088% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft223
070% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Mitchell Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mitchell
247.3
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mitchell
1722.1
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Mitchell Safety

Is Mitchell safe?
It depends on where in Mitchell you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Mitchell?
196.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 247.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1722.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Mitchell safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Mitchell has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Mitchell?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Mitchell generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Mitchell police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Mitchell?
No. Crime in Mitchell has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does Mitchell compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Middle of the pack for South Dakota. Mitchell isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 43th percentile among South Dakota cities.
How safe is Mitchell 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 Mitchell?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Mitchell?
247.3 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (60), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in South Dakota

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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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