Forest Lake, MN Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Forest Lake Safe?
Forest Lake has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 554.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 554
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 98
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
44% lower than national average
Forest 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Forest Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Forest Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Forest Lake zip codes.
Forest Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Forest Lake, MN?
Forest Lake, MN has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 554 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 98 chance for property crime. Forest Lake has lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Forest Lake, MN safe to live in?
Forest 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 Forest Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Forest Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Forest Lake is 180.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 554 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 116.1 per 100K (57% below average); robbery at 40.9 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Forest Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Forest Lake is 1,025.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 98 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 141.2 per 100K (48% below average); larceny/theft at 747.7 per 100K (47% below average); vehicle theft at 136.4 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Forest Lake crime compare to the national average?
Forest Lake's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (38% below average), while assault is 57% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Forest Lake has lower crime than 94% of them.
Is Forest Lake safe to visit?
Forest Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 44% 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 Forest Lake crime compare to the rest of Minnesota?
Minnesota as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Forest Lake's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical Minnesota city.
What type of crime is most common in Forest Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Forest Lake, with an estimated rate of 747.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 47% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,025 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (180 per 100K) in Forest Lake, which is consistent with national trends.