Custer, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Custer Safe?
Yes — Custer is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Custer has a crime rate that is 47% 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 141
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
61% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Custer 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
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
31 | -69% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
34 | -66% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Custer Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Custer Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Custer zip codes.
Custer Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Custer, SD?
Custer, SD has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% 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 141 chance for property crime. Custer has lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Custer, SD safe to live in?
Custer 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 Custer is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Custer?
The estimated violent crime rate in Custer is 209.4 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 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 149.7 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 38.4 per 100K (48% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Custer?
The estimated property crime rate in Custer is 707.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 61% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 141 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 169.2 per 100K (37% below average); larceny/theft at 430.5 per 100K (69% below average); vehicle theft at 107.6 per 100K (66% below average).
How does Custer crime compare to the national average?
Custer's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (37% below average), while larceny/theft is 69% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Custer has lower crime than 89% of them.
Is Custer safe to visit?
Custer is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 61% 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 Custer crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Custer's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Custer?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Custer, with an estimated rate of 430.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 69% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (707 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (209 per 100K) in Custer, which is consistent with national trends.