Cloquet, MN Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Cloquet, MN

What is Cloquet's overall crime grade for 2026?

Cloquet earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, which places it in a moderately safe category relative to similarly sized Minnesota cities. A B- grade signals that while the city is not among the highest-risk communities, there are meaningful areas for improvement — particularly around property crime patterns. For a city of roughly 11,994 residents spread across a low-density landscape of about 131 people per square mile, a B- reflects a community that is largely safe but benefits from residents staying informed and engaged.

How does Cloquet's crime rate compare to national averages?

Cloquet's B- overall crime grade suggests its crime rate is somewhat better than the national average for cities of comparable size. Property crimes — including theft and vehicle-related offenses — tend to drive the most incident volume in small Midwestern cities like Cloquet. With a poverty rate of 14.3% and an unemployment rate of 6.3%, both of which are modestly above typical benchmarks, economic stressors can contribute to opportunistic property crime. However, violent crime rates in communities with Cloquet's population density and median household income of $54,011 tend to remain well below those of larger urban centers.

Is Cloquet safe to live in?

By most measures, yes — Cloquet is a reasonably safe place to live. Its B- crime grade reflects a city where the vast majority of residents go about daily life without incident. The low population density of 131 people per square mile naturally limits the concentration of crime that plagues denser urban environments. That said, no community is risk-free. Property crimes such as theft and burglary are the most common concern, and residents near higher-traffic commercial corridors should take standard precautions — securing vehicles, using exterior lighting, and reporting suspicious activity to the Cloquet Police Department.

What types of crime are most common in Cloquet?

In Cloquet, property crimes represent the dominant share of reported incidents, consistent with national patterns for small cities with similar economic profiles. Theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft account for the majority of cases logged on the crime map. Violent crimes — including assault — do occur but at significantly lower rates than property offenses. Drug-related incidents have also been a recurring category, reflecting broader regional trends in northern Minnesota. Understanding this breakdown helps residents prioritize the right precautions: securing property ranks as the single most impactful personal safety step in Cloquet's current crime environment.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Cloquet?

While granular block-level grades vary, neighborhoods characterized by lower residential density, proximity to community anchors like Cloquet High School and the Cloquet Community Center, and active neighborhood associations tend to see fewer reported incidents. Residential areas on the south side of the city, often referred to as South Cloquet, have historically been regarded as quieter and more family-oriented. Areas closer to the commercial strips along Highway 33 and the downtown core tend to generate a higher share of property crime reports, which is typical for retail-adjacent zones in any city. Using the interactive crime map to filter by incident type and time period gives the most current neighborhood-level picture.

How do Cloquet's economic indicators relate to its crime grade?

Economic conditions and crime rates are closely linked in research literature, and Cloquet's numbers illustrate this relationship. With a median household income of $54,011, a poverty rate of 14.3%, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%, Cloquet sits in a middle-ground economic position. These figures are modestly above national poverty and unemployment benchmarks, which correlates with the B- crime grade rather than an A-range score. On the positive side, a median home value of $151,810 and a median rent of $890 keep housing relatively accessible, reducing some of the housing-instability pressures that can drive crime upward in other markets. Community investment in employment and poverty-reduction programs is likely the most durable path toward improving Cloquet's crime grade over time.

Is Cloquet a good place to buy a home from a safety perspective?

For prospective homebuyers, Cloquet's B- crime grade combined with a median home value of just $151,810 represents a relatively favorable risk-to-value ratio compared to higher-cost Minnesota markets. Buyers willing to research specific neighborhoods using the crime map — paying attention to property crime density near commercial corridors versus quieter residential blocks — can identify pockets of the city that perform closer to a B or even B+ safety profile. The city's small size (under 12,000 residents) also means that community relationships with local law enforcement tend to be more direct and responsive than in larger cities, which is a qualitative safety asset worth factoring into any homebuying decision.