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D-

Is Sioux Falls, South Dakota Safe?

Population 213,748 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Sioux Falls 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 277 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,615 per 100K.

Sioux Falls Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSioux FallsSouth Dakota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate389.8325.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2380.32020.61,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate288.0--268.2
Theft Rate1615.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate374.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

277 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

390/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2380/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sioux Falls

Violent crime in Sioux Falls is close to the national average. The rate of 389.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2380.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,615 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sioux Falls Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault288
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery88
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary264
098% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,615
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft374
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sioux Falls Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sioux Falls
389.8
State
325.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sioux Falls
2380.3
State
2020.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sioux Falls Safety

Is Sioux Falls safe?
Not especially. Sioux Falls earns a D- with a crime rate of 277 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 Sioux Falls?
277 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 389.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2380.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sioux Falls safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Sioux Falls's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,615 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sioux Falls?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sioux Falls generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sioux Falls police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sioux Falls?
No. Crime in Sioux Falls has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Sioux Falls compare to other cities in South Dakota?
Below average for the state. Sioux Falls ranks behind about 90% of South Dakota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls?
Bad. A D- grade and 277 per-thousand rate put Sioux Falls below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 390 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Sioux Falls?
389.8 per 100,000, which is 7% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (288), robbery (88), and murder (7.0) 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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