Sioux Falls, SD Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Sioux Falls Crime & Safety

Is Sioux Falls safe?

Yes — Sioux Falls earns a city-wide safety rating of A (Very Safe), making it one of the safer mid-sized cities in the Midwest. Of the 22 neighborhoods analyzed for 2026, 68.2% received an A grade and the remaining 31.8% received a B grade — meaning zero neighborhoods fell into C, D, or F territory. Standout safe neighborhoods include Old Orchard (A+), Galway Park (A+), McKennan Park (A+), and Hayes Historic District (A+). Even the city's higher-crime areas, such as Pettigrew Heights (B-) and West Tenth Street (B-), are still considered above-average nationally. The city's 2.8% unemployment rate — well below the national average — and a 10.1% poverty rate provide an economic foundation that correlates with lower crime activity across most zip codes.

What is the crime rate in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls holds an overall crime grade of B, with a city-wide safety rating of A (Very Safe) when neighborhood-level data is aggregated. Breaking that down: 15 of 22 neighborhoods (68.2%) score an A, and the remaining 7 neighborhoods (31.8%) score a B — a distribution that places Sioux Falls well ahead of most comparable U.S. cities. Property crimes such as theft remain the most frequently reported category city-wide, while violent incidents are concentrated in a small cluster of lower-rated neighborhoods including Downtown (B) and Cathedral (B). With a population of 173,921 spread across a density of just 883 residents per square mile, Sioux Falls avoids the crime pressure common to more densely packed urban areas.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Sioux Falls?

Ten neighborhoods in Sioux Falls achieved the highest possible rating of A+ in 2026. Here is how the top performers compare by safety grade and median household income:

• Crown Pointe — A+ | Median income: $148,904
• Old Orchard — A+ | Median income: $141,254
• Canterbury Village — A+ | Median income: $141,667
• Pepper Ridge — A+ | Median income: $109,764
• Galway Park — A+ | Median income: $103,193
• McKennan Park — A+ | Median income: $96,692
• Hayes Historic District — A+ | Median income: $95,891
• Lillian — A+ | Median income: $93,020
• Misty Glen — A+ | Median income: $85,466
• Seventh Watch — A+ | Median income: $75,620

Notably, Seventh Watch demonstrates that top-tier safety isn't exclusive to the city's highest-income pockets — it earns an A+ with a median income of $75,620, closer to the city median of $61,738. Families and individuals prioritizing safety have a wide range of income-accessible options across Sioux Falls.

Which neighborhoods in Sioux Falls have higher crime?

Even Sioux Falls' relatively higher-crime areas remain in the B range — a grade that still reflects below-average crime nationally. The five neighborhoods with the highest relative crime in the 2026 analysis are:

• Pettigrew Heights — B-
• West Tenth Street — B-
• Cathedral — B
• Downtown — B
• Garfield — B+

Downtown and Cathedral see elevated incident reports consistent with their mixed-use, higher-foot-traffic character — a pattern common in city centers nationwide. Pettigrew Heights and West Tenth Street carry the lowest grades in the city at B-, though neither approaches the C, D, or F thresholds seen in many other metros. Visitors and residents in these areas are encouraged to stay aware of surroundings and report suspicious activity to the Sioux Falls Police Department.

Is Sioux Falls a good place to live?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Sioux Falls ranks as a strong place to live in 2026. Consider the data:

• Safety: 100% of analyzed neighborhoods rate B or better; 68.2% rate A.
• Economy: Unemployment sits at just 2.8%, one of the lowest rates among U.S. cities of comparable size.
• Affordability: Median home value of $205,021 and median rent of $838/month offer significant value relative to coastal metros.
• Income: Median household income of $61,738 pairs well with the city's cost of living.
• Poverty rate: At 10.1%, the city's poverty rate is below the national average, reducing socioeconomic stressors linked to higher crime.

Neighborhoods like Old Orchard and McKennan Park attract families seeking established, safe communities, while areas like Downtown (B) appeal to younger residents who accept slightly more urban activity in exchange for walkability and amenities. Across the board, Sioux Falls delivers a quality-of-life package that is difficult to match in the northern Plains region.