How Safe or Dangerous Is South Dakota in 2024?
South Dakota Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)
South Dakota has a safety score from overall crime of 49/100, reflecting a state with a fair level of safety, neither exceptional nor poor.
- Overall Crime (safety score): 49
- Violent Crime (safety score): 46
- Property Crime (safety score): 57
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this state is slightly more dangerous (-1 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-2 pts lower), and slightly safer from property crime (+4 pts higher).
Where Does South Dakota Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Crime (safety ranking): 29th
- Violent Crime (safety ranking): 32nd
- Property Crime (safety ranking): 27th
Across the 50 states in America (and D.C.), where crime figures are documented, South Dakota state is ranked 29th in overall safety from overall crime, making it a slightly more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, South Dakota is ranked 32nd on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a somewhat more dangerous state for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this state is positioned 27th and is a moderately secure state relative to others.
Is South Dakota Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Property Crime (Year-on-Year): +2 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this state in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-1 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-1 pts lower), and slightly safer from property crime (+2 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in South Dakota in 2024?
- Overall Crime: Low
- Violent Crime: Low
- Property Crime: Low
In South Dakota, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is low. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is low.
What Are the Overall Crime Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Overall Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Crime | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 49 |
| U.S. Avg. | 50 |
Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 49 | 50 |
| 2022 | 50 | 46 |
| 2021 | 53 | 45 |
| 2020 | 45 | 44 |
| 2019 | 55 | 45 |
| 2018 | 56 | 44 |
| 2017 | 49 | 42 |
Investigating South Dakota, and probing its crime statistics establishes that the state, considering overall crime in the current period compared to pre-pandemic, is somewhat more dangerous (-5 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous now from violent crime (-8 pts lower), and slightly safer now from property crime (+4 pts higher).
Inspecting U.S. crime statistics reveals that, in the field of overall crime, the present-day U.S., against pre-pandemic records, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).
Learn more about South Dakota's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.
Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is South Dakota in 2024?
Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
South Dakota, with a 46/100 safety score from violent crime, is a state where safety is somewhat unpredictable, with mixed outcomes.
- Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 46
- Murder (safety score): 43
- Rape (safety score): 30
- Robbery (safety score): 79
- Aggravated Assault (safety score): 37
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this state is slightly more dangerous (-2 pts lower), slightly safer from murder (+3 pts higher), much more dangerous from rape (-25 pts lower), much safer from robbery (+21 pts higher), and somewhat more dangerous from aggravated assault (-6 pts lower).
How Does South Dakota Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 32nd
- Murder (safety ranking): 19th
- Rape (safety ranking): 46th
- Robbery (safety ranking): 10th
- Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 38th
In the context of the 50 states in America (and D.C.) with accessible crime statistics, South Dakota state is ranked 32nd in overall safety from violent crime, making it a somewhat more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, South Dakota is ranked 19th on safety from murder, meaning it's a somewhat safer state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this state is positioned 46th and is a considerably more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this state comes in at 10th place, indicating that it's a much safer state, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 38th, making it a more dangerous state.
Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in South Dakota?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Murder (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
- Rape (Year-on-Year): no change
- Robbery (Year-on-Year): +1 percentage point
- Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this state in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-1 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from murder (-4 pts lower), the same in terms of safety levels from rape (unchanged), slightly safer from robbery (+1 pts higher), and slightly more dangerous from aggravated assault (-1 pts lower).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in South Dakota in 2024?
- Overall Violent Crime: Low
- Murder: Moderate
- Rape: Moderate
- Robbery: Slight
- Aggravated Assault: Moderate
In South Dakota, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low. Beware of:
- Murder
- Rape
- Aggravated Assault
What Are the Violent Crime Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Violent Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 46 |
| U.S. Avg. | 48 |
Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46 | 48 |
| 2022 | 47 | 43 |
| 2021 | 51 | 41 |
| 2020 | 44 | 42 |
| 2019 | 56 | 44 |
| 2018 | 57 | 44 |
| 2017 | 49 | 43 |
Investigating South Dakota, in terms of violent crime rates shows that the state now, when contrasted with pre-pandemic levels, is somewhat more dangerous (-8 pts lower), much more dangerous now from murder (-26 pts lower), slightly safer now from rape (+2 pts higher), slightly safer now from robbery (+1 pts higher), and slightly safer now from aggravated assault (+1 pts higher).
Investigation into U.S. national crime figures suggests that in overall violent crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Are the Murder Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Murder: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Homicide | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 43 |
| U.S. Avg. | 40 |
Safety from Murder (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 40 |
| 2022 | 47 | 33 |
| 2021 | 58 | 30 |
| 2020 | 45 | 32 |
| 2019 | 72 | 41 |
| 2018 | 77 | 42 |
| 2017 | 57 | 40 |
What Are the Rape Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Rape: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Rape | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 30 |
| U.S. Avg. | 55 |
Safety from Rape (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 55 |
| 2022 | 30 | 49 |
| 2021 | 28 | 47 |
| 2020 | 28 | 51 |
| 2019 | 27 | 45 |
| 2018 | 28 | 45 |
| 2017 | 28 | 47 |
What Are the Robbery Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Robbery: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Robbery | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 79 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 79 | 58 |
| 2022 | 78 | 56 |
| 2021 | 83 | 56 |
| 2020 | 74 | 53 |
| 2019 | 82 | 50 |
| 2018 | 78 | 48 |
| 2017 | 75 | 43 |
What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 37 |
| U.S. Avg. | 43 |
Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 37 | 43 |
| 2022 | 38 | 41 |
| 2021 | 37 | 41 |
| 2020 | 29 | 40 |
| 2019 | 37 | 43 |
| 2018 | 37 | 44 |
| 2017 | 33 | 43 |
Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is South Dakota in 2024?
Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
South Dakota, with a 57/100 safety score from property crime, stands as a state with safety that can be unpredictable at times.
- Overall Property Crime (safety score): 57
- Burglary (safety score): 58
- Larceny (safety score): 59
- Auto Theft (safety score): 53
- Arson (safety score): 52
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this state is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), similar from burglary (no difference), slightly safer from larceny (+2 pts higher), safer from auto theft (+14 pts higher), and somewhat safer from arson (+7 pts higher).
How Does South Dakota Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 27th
- Burglary (safety ranking): 29th
- Larceny (safety ranking): 22nd
- Auto Theft (safety ranking): 29th
- Arson (safety ranking): 15th
Given the 50 states in America (and D.C.), for which crime data is on record, South Dakota state is ranked 27th in overall safety from property crime, making it a moderately secure state relative to others. In terms of individual categories of property crime, South Dakota is ranked 29th on safety from burglary, meaning it's a slightly more dangerous state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this state is positioned 22nd and is a slightly safer state relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this state comes in at 29th place, indicating that it's a slightly more dangerous state, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 15th, making it a safer state.
Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in South Dakota?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): +2 percentage points
- Burglary (Year-on-Year): +4 percentage points
- Larceny (Year-on-Year): no change
- Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Arson (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this state in 2023 is slightly safer overall (+2 pts higher), slightly safer from burglary (+4 pts higher), the same in terms of safety levels from larceny (unchanged), slightly safer from auto theft (+3 pts higher), and slightly more dangerous from arson (-4 pts lower).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in South Dakota in 2024?
- Overall Property Crime: Low
- Burglary: Minor
- Larceny: Minor
- Auto Theft: Low
- Arson: Low
In South Dakota, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is low.
What Are the Property Crime Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Property Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Property Crime | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 57 |
| U.S. Avg. | 53 |
Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57 | 53 |
| 2022 | 55 | 51 |
| 2021 | 56 | 53 |
| 2020 | 49 | 49 |
| 2019 | 54 | 48 |
| 2018 | 55 | 45 |
| 2017 | 50 | 41 |
Investigating South Dakota, in the context of crime rate analysis confirms that the state, in terms of property crime now versus pre-pandemic, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), somewhat safer now from burglary (+9 pts higher), slightly safer now from larceny (+3 pts higher), somewhat more dangerous now from auto theft (-6 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+7 pts higher).
National crime statistics reveal that in terms of overall property crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).
What Are the Burglary Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Burglary: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Burglary | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 58 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58 | 58 |
| 2022 | 54 | 54 |
| 2021 | 54 | 53 |
| 2020 | 44 | 48 |
| 2019 | 50 | 44 |
| 2018 | 52 | 39 |
| 2017 | 47 | 32 |
What Are the Larceny Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Larceny: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Larceny | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 59 |
| U.S. Avg. | 57 |
Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 59 | 57 |
| 2022 | 59 | 54 |
| 2021 | 60 | 57 |
| 2020 | 55 | 54 |
| 2019 | 58 | 50 |
| 2018 | 57 | 49 |
| 2017 | 54 | 47 |
What Are the Auto Theft Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Auto Theft: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Auto Theft | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 53 |
| U.S. Avg. | 39 |
Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 53 | 39 |
| 2022 | 50 | 44 |
| 2021 | 51 | 48 |
| 2020 | 47 | 49 |
| 2019 | 56 | 52 |
| 2018 | 60 | 51 |
| 2017 | 60 | 50 |
What Are the Arson Trends in South Dakota from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Arson: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Arson | |
|---|---|
| SD State | 52 |
| U.S. Avg. | 45 |
Safety from Arson (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| SD State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 52 | 45 |
| 2022 | 56 | 40 |
| 2021 | 53 | 50 |
| 2020 | 42 | 33 |
| 2019 | 57 | 42 |
| 2018 | 50 | 39 |
| 2017 | 30 | 35 |
The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.