See crime rates for the safest cities.
South Dakota’s Safest Cities of 2025
For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

Here are the 5 Safest Cities in South Dakota for 2025
If you call The Mount Rushmore State home, chances are you don’t spend a lot of time worrying about crime and safety. In our State of Safety survey, people living in South Dakota reported some of the lowest levels of concern nationwide, and they were among those least likely to report first-hand experiences with any type of crime.
In this report
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2023.
Do people feel safe in South Dakota? Survey insights for 2025

Bar chart comparing how safe South Dakota residents feel, with 44% feeling safe versus the 48% national average. Image: SafeWise
We didn't have enough viable data to accurately calculate statewide crime rates this year. However, our annual State of Safety survey sheds some light on crime experiences and concerns across The Mount Rushmore State.
Overall, 68% of South Dakotans said they feel safe in their state, which represents a slight year-over-year increase from 66%. That's the third highest percentage in the nation, just behind Nebraska (71%) and Idaho (70%). Interestingly, most of South Dakota's neighbors reported high confidence levels as well.
South Dakotans report some of the lowest levels of crime experiences and concerns nationwide. This year's survey participants were less likely to have increased security and safety measures compared to last year's participants. South Dakotans are also becoming more optimistic about crime trends in general, with fewer people believing crime is increasing.
Property crime in South Dakota: Fear vs. reality
South Dakotans worry about property crime and package theft less than most Americans, but their concerns are on the rise. Meanwhile, South Dakotans reported a drop in their property crime experiences but an increase in package theft.
- 20% of South Dakotans said they experienced a property crime in the 8 months prior to the survey, down from 27% the year before (US 27%).
- Only people in Rhode Island (19%), North Carolina (17%) and Massachusetts (16%) were less likely to experience property crime than South Dakotans.
- Concern about property crime increased from 40% to 44% year over year (US 54%).
- 30% said they experienced a package theft in the 8 months prior to the survey, up from 25% the year before (US 37%).
- Only people in Vermont (29%) were less likely to experience package theft.
- South Dakotans prefer to protect their property with security cameras (43%), firearms (38%), and guard dogs (35%).
—South Dakota resident*
What security measures do South Dakotans use most?

Top security measures used in South Dakota: firearms, guard dogs, and security cameras, compared to national trends. Image: SafeWise
What crimes are South Dakota residents most concerned about?

Bar chart of top crime concerns in South Dakota, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates. Image: SafeWise
Violent crime in South Dakota: Fear vs. reality
The percentage of South Dakotans who personally experienced violent crime fell by 50% year over year, dropping to the lowest percentage in the nation. Concern about violent crime rose significantly during the same time period, but South Dakotans are among those least concerned about violent crime nationwide.
- 6% of South Dakotans experienced a violent crime in the 8 months prior to our survey, down from 12% the year before (US 14%).
- Concern about violent crime rose from 28% to 43% year over year (US 59%).
- Only Alaskans and Vermonters worry less about violent crime than South Dakotans.
- 32% of South Dakotans use personal protection (US 35%).
- South Dakota residents prefer to protect themselves with firearms (16%), pocket knives (16%), and pepper spray (9%).
- South Dakotans are among those least likely to use pepper spray and personal alarms nationwide.
—South Dakota resident*
Attitudes about gun violence in South Dakota
- 6% of South Dakotans said they experienced gun violence in the 8 months prior to our survey, down from 11% the year before (US 11%).
- Only people living in Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Delaware were less likely to experience gun violence than South Dakotans.
- Concern about gun violence rose year over year from 32% to 36%, which is the fourth lowest percentage nationwide.
- 2 mass shooting events occurred in South Dakota in 2024.
A closer look at the safest cities in South Dakota
For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.
- 16 cities met the criteria for ranking this year.
- Madison is the safest city in South Dakota this year, thanks in part to a low property crime rate.
- Brookings held on to the #2 spot for the third consecutive year.
- Brookings and Tea, the only 2 cities who aren't new to this year's list, saw year-over-year declines in both property crime and violent crime.
- 1 murder was reported in the safest cities. It occurred in Vermillion.
- 2 robberies were reported in the safest cities. They occurred in Madison and Vermillion.
- Tea was the only city on this year's list to report no rapes.
The 5 safest cities in South Dakota

Map of the safest cities in South Dakota for 2025, listing top 5 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data. Image: SafeWise

-
Population6,066
-
VC Rate 2025, 2024, 20231.3, N/A, N/A
-
PC Rate 2025, 2024, 20237.8, N/A, N/A
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

-
Population24,316
-
VC Rate 2025, 2024, 20231.0, 1.7, 1.1
-
PC Rate 2025, 2024, 202312.7, 14.0, 6.7
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

-
Population7,634
-
VC Rate 2025, 2024, 20231.1, 2.0, N/A
-
PC Rate 2025, 2024, 202314.7, 16.7, N/A
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

-
Population5,960
-
VC Rate 2025, 2024, 20232.5, N/A, N/A
-
PC Rate 2025, 2024, 202313.1, N/A, N/A
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

-
Population12,015
-
VC Rate 2025, 2024, 20232.0, N/A, N/A
-
PC Rate 2025, 2024, 202316.4, N/A, N/A
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
How we determined the safest cities
Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.
How to make a safe home anywhere
Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.
Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the best security systems—and learn the basics of how to choose a security system.
Compare top security systems
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer
Related articles on SafeWise
Endnotes and sources
Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.
FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 17, 2025.
- 2023 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
- Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
- 2023 NIBRS Estimation Tables
Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 17, 2025.
Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 17, 2025.
Recent Articles



