Clear Lake, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Clear Lake Safe?
Yes — Clear Lake is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Clear Lake has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 476.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 476
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 119
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
54% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Clear Lake 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
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Clear Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Clear Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Clear Lake zip codes.
Clear Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Clear Lake, SD?
Clear Lake, SD has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 476 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 119 chance for property crime. Clear Lake has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Clear Lake, SD safe to live in?
Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Clear Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Clear Lake is 210.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 476 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (45% below average); aggravated assault at 147.3 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 39.0 per 100K (47% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Clear Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Clear Lake is 838.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 54% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 119 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 135.7 per 100K (50% below average); larceny/theft at 550.9 per 100K (61% below average); vehicle theft at 152.2 per 100K (52% below average).
How does Clear Lake crime compare to the national average?
Clear Lake's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (37% below average), while larceny/theft is 61% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Clear Lake has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Clear Lake safe to visit?
Clear Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 54% 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 Clear Lake crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Clear Lake's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Clear Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Clear Lake, with an estimated rate of 550.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 61% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (839 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (210 per 100K) in Clear Lake, which is consistent with national trends.