Watertown, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Watertown Safe?
Yes — Watertown is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Watertown has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 499.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 499
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
47% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 89
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
39% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Watertown 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
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Watertown Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Watertown Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Watertown zip codes.
Watertown Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Watertown, SD?
Watertown, 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 499 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 89 chance for property crime. Watertown has lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Watertown, SD safe to live in?
Watertown 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 Watertown is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Watertown?
The estimated violent crime rate in Watertown is 200.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 499 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (46% below average); aggravated assault at 138.2 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 40.6 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Watertown?
The estimated property crime rate in Watertown is 1,122.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 39% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 89 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 128.6 per 100K (52% below average); larceny/theft at 810.0 per 100K (42% below average); vehicle theft at 184.2 per 100K (42% below average).
How does Watertown crime compare to the national average?
Watertown's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (42% below average), while burglary is 52% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Watertown has lower crime than 89% of them.
Is Watertown safe to visit?
Watertown is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 39% 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 Watertown crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Watertown'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 Watertown?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Watertown, with an estimated rate of 810.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,123 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (201 per 100K) in Watertown, which is consistent with national trends.