Amherst, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Amherst Safe?
Yes — Amherst is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Amherst has a crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 561.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 561
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 211
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
74% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Amherst Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
17 | -83% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Amherst Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Amherst Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Amherst zip codes.
Amherst Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Amherst, SD?
Amherst, SD has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 55% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 561 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 211 chance for property crime. Amherst has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Amherst, SD safe to live in?
Amherst is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Amherst is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Amherst?
The estimated violent crime rate in Amherst is 178.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 561 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.1 per 100K (58% below average); aggravated assault at 120.8 per 100K (55% below average); robbery at 38.7 per 100K (48% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Amherst?
The estimated property crime rate in Amherst is 473.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 74% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 211 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 153.0 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 242.8 per 100K (83% below average); vehicle theft at 77.3 per 100K (76% below average).
How does Amherst crime compare to the national average?
Amherst's overall crime rate is 55% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (43% below average), while larceny/theft is 83% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Amherst has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Amherst safe to visit?
Amherst is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 74% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Amherst crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Amherst's crime rate is 55% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Amherst?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Amherst, with an estimated rate of 242.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 83% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (473 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (178 per 100K) in Amherst, which is consistent with national trends.