Madison, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Madison Safe?
Yes — Madison is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Madison has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 425.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 425
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 73
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
26% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Madison 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
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Madison Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Madison Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Madison zip codes.
Madison Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Madison, SD?
Madison, 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 425 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 73 chance for property crime. Madison has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Madison, SD safe to live in?
Madison 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 Madison is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Madison?
The estimated violent crime rate in Madison is 235.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 425 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 159.4 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 48.5 per 100K (34% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Madison?
The estimated property crime rate in Madison is 1,362.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 73 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 130.7 per 100K (52% below average); larceny/theft at 1,000.1 per 100K (29% below average); vehicle theft at 231.6 per 100K (27% below average).
How does Madison crime compare to the national average?
Madison's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (27% below average), while burglary is 52% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Madison has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Madison safe to visit?
Madison is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 26% 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 Madison crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Madison'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 Madison?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Madison, with an estimated rate of 1,000.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 29% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,362 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (235 per 100K) in Madison, which is consistent with national trends.