Discover the Safest Cities in South Dakota: Your Guide to Peaceful Living

South Dakota is especially noted for its beautiful landscape and strong community spirit and is one of the safest states. There are a variety of cities and towns in the state situated throughout the land, but a few really shine in terms of exceptionally low crime rates and feeling safe. In this article, we take a look at the safest cities in South Dakota, crime trends, and tips to stay safe there.

Top 5 Safest Cities in South Dakota

South Dakota has a smaller but colorful assortment of cities with low crime rates, perfect for families, retirees, or anyone looking for a safe place to live in.

Brandon

The city of Brandon is always listed as the safest in South Dakota. Besides being one of the most peaceful communities of all, Brandon has a violent crime rate of just 0.5 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 7.0. The city’s safety is also due to strong law enforcement and active neighborhood programs.

Brookings

Brookings is a great city, with South Dakota State University located here and a low violent crime rate of about 1.7 per 1,000 residents. Furthermore, property crime is also minimal at 14.0 property crime per 1,000.

Watertown

Having an especially family-friendly feel, Watertown has a violent crime rate of 2.1 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 15.1. There it is a regular police patrols and a community involvement program that keep the city safe

Tea

One of South Dakota’s safest places is a small growing town known as Tea. Tea has a favorable crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 and 16.7 per 1,000 for property crime as Tea’s close-knit community and use of strong public safety measures make the town a safe haven.

Aberdeen

With a violent crime rate of 3.6 incidents for every 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 15.8. The city has an active community program and a very well-funded police department so it is a safe place to live.

Crime Rate in South Dakota

South Dakotans view crime very differently. There is only 28% concerned by violent crime, far below the national average of 50%. Also, below the national average of 52%, property crime concern is at 44%. 32% of South Dakota residents are concerned about gun violence, which is less than the national average of 51%. Likewise, 40% of residents are worried about package theft, lower than the national rate of 53%.

For the most part, South Dakota is a fairly safe state because of the relatively low crime concern across so many of the counties. Besides that, smaller towns and rural areas generally are reported to have fewer incidents, making the state popular as a safe place to live.

Nevertheless, in contrast to higher crime levels in urban centers and focused regions, urban centers and some areas are targeted by law enforcement and community programs more often.

What Crime Are South Dakota Residents Concerned About Most?

South Dakota residents are worried about both violent and property crimes which are both very close to the national average.

Violent Crime

In South Dakota, violent crime is relatively rare, but assaults are by far the most common incident. As a whole, the state’s violent crime rate is 4.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, higher than the national average of 4.0. Murders and homicide reports are few and violent crimes are more likely to occur in urban areas or isolated incidents.

Property Crime

South Dakota residents are more worried about property crimes like burglary, vehicle theft, and vandalism. Property crime rates in South Dakota are 19.2 incidents per 1,000 below the national average of 20.7. Although the state is also below the national average in property crime, residents of cities with larger populations are more vigilant about protecting their homes and things.

5 Most Dangerous Cities in South Dakota

South Dakota can be a safe place to live; however, there are cities with higher crime rates because of population density and economic issues.

Martin

According to the FBI crime report, Martin has one of the highest crime rates in South Dakota with a violent crime rate of 25.2 incidents per 1,000 residents and property crime at 74.7 per 1,000.

Flandreau

Flandreau reports a violent crime rate of 7.7 incidents for every 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 33.6. The crime was being addressed by attempts at community engagement, as well as more police presence.

Chamberlain

The violent crime rate in Chamberlain is 6.8 per 1,000 residents and property crime at 32.8 per 1,000. In addition to its daily transient population of tourists and seasonal workers, the city's higher crime rates are the result of having more people pass through than live there.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a hub of commerce and tourism and has a violent crime of 7.0 for every 1,000 residents and a property crime of 32.1. The city has more crime than smaller towns, but are trying to get safer with community policing programs.

Mitchell

The violent crime rate of Mitchell is 7.5 per 1,000 residents and the property crime rate is 34.2. Proactive safety measures in the city are intended to cut crime and boost public confidence.

How to Stay Safe in Dakota?

Follow these tips for effectively increasing your safety in South Dakota:

• Get security cameras, like the Duo 3 Wi-Fi, with advanced motion detection, remote monitoring, and more.
• Even in small towns keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
• Don't leave valuables in your car, especially in public areas.
• Keep emergency contact numbers handy and report suspicious activity to any local law enforcement.
• Teach your family about ways to keep safe and what to do in emergencies.
  
  

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FAQs

1. Is South Dakota Safe?

South Dakota is generally a safe state. Many cities have low crime rates and this provides residents and tourists safety. The violent crime rate here is 4.1 while the property crime rate is 19.3.

2. What Are the Cons of Living in South Dakota?

While South Dakota is a great place to live, some challenges include. Entertainment, health care, and job opportunities are frequently scarce in rural areas. Moreover, the crime rate is higher in Rapid City and Mitchell than in small towns.

Conclusion

South Dakota is very safe and welcoming, especially in its smaller towns and rural areas. A low crime rate and proactive safety measures allow the inhabitants to enjoy a high quality of life. Whether you're planning to move or visit, South Dakota remains a good choice when security and community are your top priorities.