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D

Is Rapid City, South Dakota Safe?

Population 80,589 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Rapid City has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 266.7 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,855 per 100K.

Rapid City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRapid CitySouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate371.3325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2295.32020.61,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate277.0--268.2
Theft Rate1855.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate555.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

371/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2295/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Rapid City

Violent crime in Rapid City is close to the national average. The rate of 371.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2295.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,855 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Rapid City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault277
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary366
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,855
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft555
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Rapid City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rapid City
371.3
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rapid City
2295.3
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rapid City Safety

Is Rapid City safe?
Not especially. Rapid City earns a D with a crime rate of 266.7 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 Rapid City?
266.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 371.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2295.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Rapid City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Rapid City's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,855 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Rapid City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Rapid City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Rapid City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Rapid City?
Crime rates have held steady in Rapid City, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Rapid City compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Below average for the state. Rapid City ranks behind about 75% of South Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Rapid City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Rapid City?
Bad. A D grade and 266.7 per-thousand rate put Rapid City below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 371 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Rapid City?
371.3 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (277), robbery (44), and murder (8.0) 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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