Rapid City, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 55% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Rapid City Safe?
Mostly yes — Rapid City is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Rapid City has a crime rate that is 24% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 326.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 326
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
19% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 52
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
5% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Rapid 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
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
87 | -13% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Rapid City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Rapid City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Rapid City zip codes.
Rapid City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Rapid City, SD?
Rapid City, SD has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 326 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 52 chance for property crime. Rapid City has lower crime than 55% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Rapid City, SD safe to live in?
Rapid City is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rapid City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Rapid City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Rapid City is 307.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 326 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.1 per 100K (18% below average); aggravated assault at 209.0 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 63.6 per 100K (14% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Rapid City?
The estimated property crime rate in Rapid City is 1,919.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 52 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 234.2 per 100K (13% below average); larceny/theft at 1,394.0 per 100K (1% below average); vehicle theft at 291.0 per 100K (9% below average).
How does Rapid City crime compare to the national average?
Rapid City's overall crime rate is 24% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (1% below average), while assault is 22% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rapid City has lower crime than 55% of them.
Is Rapid City safe to visit?
Rapid City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 5% above 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 Rapid City crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Rapid City's crime rate is 24% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Rapid City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rapid City, with an estimated rate of 1,394.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,919 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (307 per 100K) in Rapid City, which is consistent with national trends.