Mellette, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Mellette Safe?
Yes — Mellette is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Mellette has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 479.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 479
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 146
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
63% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Mellette 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
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
28 | -72% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Mellette Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Mellette Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Mellette zip codes.
Mellette Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Mellette, SD?
Mellette, SD has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 479 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 146 chance for property crime. Mellette has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Mellette, SD safe to live in?
Mellette 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 Mellette is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Mellette?
The estimated violent crime rate in Mellette is 208.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 479 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (54% below average); aggravated assault at 124.1 per 100K (54% below average); robbery at 58.2 per 100K (21% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Mellette?
The estimated property crime rate in Mellette is 685.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 146 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 196.2 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 394.0 per 100K (72% below average); vehicle theft at 94.9 per 100K (70% below average).
How does Mellette crime compare to the national average?
Mellette's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (21% below average), while larceny/theft is 72% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Mellette has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Mellette safe to visit?
Mellette is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 63% 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 Mellette crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Mellette's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Mellette?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Mellette, with an estimated rate of 394.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 72% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (685 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (209 per 100K) in Mellette, which is consistent with national trends.