Brainerd, MN Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Brainerd Safe?
Brainerd has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 478.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 478
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 74
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
26% lower than national average
Brainerd 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
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Brainerd Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Brainerd Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Brainerd zip codes.
Brainerd Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Brainerd, MN?
Brainerd, MN has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 478 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 74 chance for property crime. Brainerd has lower crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Brainerd, MN safe to live in?
Brainerd 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 Brainerd is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Brainerd?
The estimated violent crime rate in Brainerd is 209.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 478 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 136.5 per 100K (49% below average); robbery at 46.7 per 100K (37% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Brainerd?
The estimated property crime rate in Brainerd is 1,359.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 74 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 159.0 per 100K (41% below average); larceny/theft at 991.3 per 100K (29% below average); vehicle theft at 208.9 per 100K (34% below average).
How does Brainerd crime compare to the national average?
Brainerd's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (29% below average), while assault is 49% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Brainerd has lower crime than 86% of them.
Is Brainerd safe to visit?
Brainerd is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 26% 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 Brainerd crime compare to the rest of Minnesota?
Minnesota as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Brainerd's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Minnesota city.
What type of crime is most common in Brainerd?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Brainerd, with an estimated rate of 991.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 29% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,359 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (209 per 100K) in Brainerd, which is consistent with national trends.