Lake City, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 75% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lake City Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Lake City has a crime rate that is 13% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 229.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 229
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
15% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 64
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
15% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lake City 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
|
110 | +10% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
119 | +19% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
122 | +22% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lake City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lake City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lake City zip codes.
Lake City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lake City, SD?
Lake City, SD has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 13% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 229 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 64 chance for property crime. Lake City has higher crime than 75% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lake City, SD safe to live in?
Lake City has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lake City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lake City is 436.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 229 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.5 per 100K (10% above average); aggravated assault at 301.6 per 100K (12% above average); robbery at 87.9 per 100K (19% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated property crime rate in Lake City is 1,555.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 64 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 325.3 per 100K (21% above average); larceny/theft at 936.6 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 293.5 per 100K (8% below average).
How does Lake City crime compare to the national average?
Lake City's overall crime rate is 13% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (22% above average), while larceny/theft is 33% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake City has higher crime than 75% of them.
Is Lake City safe to visit?
Visitors to Lake City should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 15% 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 Lake City crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Lake City's crime rate is 13% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.
What type of crime is most common in Lake City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake City, with an estimated rate of 936.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,555 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (436 per 100K) in Lake City, which is consistent with national trends.