Lead, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lead Safe?
Yes — Lead is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Lead has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 471.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 471
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 103
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
47% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lead 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
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lead Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lead Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lead zip codes.
Lead Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lead, SD?
Lead, 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 471 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 103 chance for property crime. Lead has lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lead, SD safe to live in?
Lead 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 Lead is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lead?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lead is 212.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 471 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.1 per 100K (59% below average); aggravated assault at 140.2 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 45.5 per 100K (38% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lead?
The estimated property crime rate in Lead is 970.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 103 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 151.5 per 100K (44% below average); larceny/theft at 671.0 per 100K (52% below average); vehicle theft at 147.9 per 100K (54% below average).
How does Lead crime compare to the national average?
Lead's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (28% below average), while murder is 59% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lead has lower crime than 90% of them.
Is Lead safe to visit?
Lead is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 47% 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 Lead crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Lead'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 Lead?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lead, with an estimated rate of 671.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 52% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (970 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (212 per 100K) in Lead, which is consistent with national trends.