Willow Lake, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Willow Lake Safe?
Yes — Willow Lake is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Willow Lake has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 647.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 647
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
59% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 103
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
47% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Willow Lake 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
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Willow Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Willow Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Willow Lake zip codes.
Willow Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Willow Lake, SD?
Willow Lake, SD has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 647 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 103 chance for property crime. Willow Lake has lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Willow Lake, SD safe to live in?
Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Willow Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Willow Lake is 154.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 647 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (41% below average); aggravated assault at 86.5 per 100K (68% below average); robbery at 46.5 per 100K (37% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Willow Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Willow Lake is 966.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 103 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 164.6 per 100K (39% below average); larceny/theft at 645.6 per 100K (54% below average); vehicle theft at 156.6 per 100K (51% below average).
How does Willow Lake crime compare to the national average?
Willow Lake's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (37% below average), while assault is 68% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Willow Lake has lower crime than 95% of them.
Is Willow Lake safe to visit?
Willow Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 47% 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 Willow Lake crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Willow Lake's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Willow Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Willow Lake, with an estimated rate of 645.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 54% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (967 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (155 per 100K) in Willow Lake, which is consistent with national trends.