South Dakota Leads Nation In Residents Least Worried About Crime

Peace of mind is a crucial part of living a happy and fulfilling life, and in South Dakota, feeling safe helps with that sense of calm.

According to a new study by Safewise, the Mount Rushmore State tops the nation when it comes to being worried about crime and safety.

Least worried states

1. South Dakota, 30%
2. Nebraska, 32%
3. (tie) Montana, 33%
3. (tie) North Dakota, 33%
5. West Virginia, 35%
6. Vermont, 36%
7. (tie) Idaho, 37%
7. (tie) Kansas, 37%
7. (tie) Wyoming, 37%
10. (tie) Iowa, 38%
10. (tie) Maine, 38%
10. (tie) Utah, 38%

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As for the places where people feel the safest, South Dakota shines brightly as well, in a tie with Idaho for fourth overall.

States Where People Feel Safest

1. New Hampshire, 71%
2. (tie) Nebraska, 70%
2. (tie) North Dakota, 70%
4. (tie) Idaho, 69%
4. (tie) South Dakota, 69%
6. (tie) Kentucky, 67%
6. (tie) Maine, 67%
8. (tie) Wyoming, 65%
8. (tie) Vermont, 65%
10. Utah, 64%

The numbers support those positive feelings about safety.

The violent crime rate in South Dakota is 4.32 incidents per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 4.43.

Property crime in The Mount Rushmore State also increased in recent years, rising from 49.2 incidents per 1,000 people in 2024 to 24.94 incidents in this year's report. That's higher than the national property crime rate of 22.89.

As for the safest cities in the state, Brandon is on top thanks to a crime rate nearly half of the national average.

Safest Cities in South Dakota

1. Brandon
2. Hot Springs
3. Lead
4. Belle Fourche
5. Madison
6. Brookings
7. Tea
8. Mobridge
9. Vermillion
10. Watertown

Other highlights in the study

• Belle Fourche and Vermillion saw year-over-year declines in both property crime and violent crime
• Violent crime in Brookings decreased for the second year in a row.
• Property crime in Tea decreased for the second year in a row.
• Watertown's property crime rate fell by 38% year over year.
• 1 murder was reported in South Dakota's 10 safest cities. It happened in Tea.
• 1 robbery was reported in the 10 safest cities. It happened in Belle Fourche.
• Hot Springs reported zero larcenies/thefts.
• No motor vehicle thefts were reported in Hot Springs and Mobridge.

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