Salem, 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 Salem Safe?
Yes — Salem is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Salem has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 466.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 466
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 144
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
62% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Salem 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
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Salem Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Salem Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Salem zip codes.
Salem Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Salem, SD?
Salem, 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 466 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 144 chance for property crime. Salem has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Salem, SD safe to live in?
Salem 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 Salem is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
The estimated violent crime rate in Salem is 214.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 466 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 150.9 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 40.9 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Salem?
The estimated property crime rate in Salem is 694.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 62% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 144 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 140.2 per 100K (48% below average); larceny/theft at 427.4 per 100K (70% below average); vehicle theft at 127.3 per 100K (60% below average).
How does Salem crime compare to the national average?
Salem's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (39% below average), while larceny/theft is 70% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Salem has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Salem safe to visit?
Salem is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 62% 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 Salem crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Salem'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 Salem?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Salem, with an estimated rate of 427.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 70% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (695 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (215 per 100K) in Salem, which is consistent with national trends.