Bowdle, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bowdle Safe?
Yes — Bowdle is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Bowdle has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 516.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 516
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 134
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
59% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bowdle 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bowdle Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bowdle Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bowdle zip codes.
Bowdle Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bowdle, SD?
Bowdle, SD has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 516 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 134 chance for property crime. Bowdle has lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bowdle, SD safe to live in?
Bowdle 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 Bowdle is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bowdle?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bowdle is 193.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 516 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 137.5 per 100K (49% below average); robbery at 37.4 per 100K (49% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Bowdle?
The estimated property crime rate in Bowdle is 744.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 134 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 144.1 per 100K (47% below average); larceny/theft at 463.3 per 100K (67% below average); vehicle theft at 136.9 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Bowdle crime compare to the national average?
Bowdle's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (47% below average), while larceny/theft is 67% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bowdle has lower crime than 95% of them.
Is Bowdle safe to visit?
Bowdle is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 59% 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 Bowdle crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Bowdle's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Bowdle?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bowdle, with an estimated rate of 463.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 67% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (744 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (194 per 100K) in Bowdle, which is consistent with national trends.