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Safest Cities in South Dakota (2026 Rankings)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2024 FBI UCR data

Mitchell is the safest city in South Dakota with a crime rate of 19.6 per 1,000 residents, earning a B- safety grade. Brookings (20.2/1K) and Aberdeen (21.3/1K) round out the top three. Rankings based on 14 cities with 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Avg Crime Rate
22.6per 1K
Below National Avg
6of 14 cities
Above National Avg
8of 14 cities

All 14 Cities Ranked by Safety

#CityGradeCrime/1K
1Mitchell
B-
19.6
2Brookings
B-
20.2
3Aberdeen
B-
21.3
4Vermillion
B-
21.6
5Spearfish
B-
21.7
6Watertown
B-
21.8
7Yankton
B-
22.2
8Pierre
B-
22.2
9Huron
B-
22.8
10Harrisburg
C+
23.5
11Brandon
C+
24.5
12Box Elder
C+
24.6
13Rapid City
C+
25
14Sioux Falls
C+
25.7

Violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Most Dangerous Cities in South Dakota

The highest crime rates among tracked cities in South Dakota. These cities have the most crime per capita based on FBI data.

1
C+
Sioux Falls25.7/1K · Moderate · Violent: 431/100K
2
C+
Rapid City25/1K · Moderate · Violent: 417/100K
3
C+
Box Elder24.6/1K · Moderate · Violent: 348/100K
4
C+
Brandon24.5/1K · Moderate · Violent: 347/100K
5
C+
Harrisburg23.5/1K · Moderate · Violent: 421/100K

Frequently Asked Questions About Safety in South Dakota

What is the safest city in South Dakota?
As of 2026, Mitchell is the safest city in South Dakota with a crime rate of 19.6 per 1,000 residents and a B- safety grade. It ranks above 59% of all US cities.
What are the top 10 safest cities in South Dakota?
Based on 2026 FBI Uniform Crime Report data, the top 10 safest cities in South Dakota based on crime rate are: Mitchell, Brookings, Aberdeen, Vermillion, Spearfish, Watertown, Yankton, Pierre, Huron, Harrisburg.
What is the most dangerous city in South Dakota?
Sioux Falls has the highest crime rate in South Dakota at 25.7 per 1,000 residents, earning a C+ safety grade.
What is the average crime rate in South Dakota?
The average crime rate across 14 tracked cities in South Dakota is 22.6 per 1,000 residents. The average violent crime rate is 384 per 100K and property crime averages 1879 per 100K.
Is South Dakota safe to live in?
South Dakota has a higher-than-average violent crime rate at 384 per 100K (national: 363.8). However, safety varies widely by city. Mitchell earns a B- while Sioux Falls gets a C+. 6 of 14 cities have crime rates at or below the national average.
How many cities are ranked in South Dakota?
14 cities in South Dakota are ranked using FBI Uniform Crime Report data. 6 have crime rates at or below the national average.
See 2027 rankings for South Dakota →View all South Dakota city safety gradesSafety index for all 50 states

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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