Hayes, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Hayes Safe?
Yes — Hayes is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Hayes has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 473.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 473
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 255
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
79% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Hayes 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
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
15 | -85% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
12 | -88% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Hayes Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Hayes Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Hayes zip codes.
Hayes Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Hayes, SD?
Hayes, SD has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 473 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 255 chance for property crime. Hayes has lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Hayes, SD safe to live in?
Hayes 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 Hayes is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Hayes?
The estimated violent crime rate in Hayes is 211.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 473 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.2 per 100K (77% below average); aggravated assault at 165.3 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 28.1 per 100K (62% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Hayes?
The estimated property crime rate in Hayes is 391.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 79% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 255 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 146.3 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 207.4 per 100K (85% below average); vehicle theft at 37.7 per 100K (88% below average).
How does Hayes crime compare to the national average?
Hayes's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (38% below average), while vehicle theft is 88% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hayes has lower crime than 91% of them.
Is Hayes safe to visit?
Hayes is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 79% 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 Hayes crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Hayes's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Hayes?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hayes, with an estimated rate of 207.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 85% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (391 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (211 per 100K) in Hayes, which is consistent with national trends.