A+
78%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
85%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
76%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBuffalo/100k peopleMinnesota/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime79n/a (estimate)4751,8632,119
Murder0n/a0.02.95.0
Rape2n/a12.036.837.5
Robbery0n/a0.048.960.6
Assault7n/a42.1168.0256.1
Violent crime9n/a (estimate)54257359
Burglary3n/a18.0184.7229.2
Theft66n/a396.91,208.51,272.1
Vehicle theft1n/a6.0213.1258.8
Property crime70n/a (estimate)4211,6061,760

Buffalo crime map

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The Buffalo crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Buffalo as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Buffalo crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Buffalo crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Buffalo, MN

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Buffalo crime rate is 77.6% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Buffalo, there were 9 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 54 per 100,000 individuals, 84.9% lower than the national average. Additionally, Buffalo recorded 70 property crimes, amounting to 421 per 100,000 residents, 76.1% lower than the U.S. average.

Buffalo enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 475, a significant contrast to the national average of 2119. This distinction firmly establishes Buffalo as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

Buffalo shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 54 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Buffalo an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

Buffalo showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

The property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have shown a steady decrease of more than 50% since 1990, with a slight uptick in recent years. The most recent crime data reveals that Buffalo records a property crime rate of 421 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1760. This underscores Buffalo as an exceptionally secure and attractive residential destination, highlighting its unwavering dedication to fostering safety and community well-being.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Buffalo?

What do the local residents think about crime in Buffalo? Well, based on a recent survey of 7 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 43% of Buffalo residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 57% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Buffalo a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Buffalo, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Buffalo presents a total crime rate that is 78% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Buffalo experiences an average of 0.22 daily crimes, comprising 0.02 violent incidents and 0.19 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Buffalo Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Buffalo has decreased by 42.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Buffalo, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 50%, while property crime has decreased by 46.6%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Buffalo is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Buffalo

In Buffalo, the poverty rate currently stands at 8.6%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Buffalo crime rates.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Buffalo crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Buffalo has an unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Buffalo crime rates. The population density in Buffalo is 2315.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

Compare Buffalo, MN Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Buffalo crime rates are 78% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Buffalo are 85% lower than the national average
      • In Buffalo you have a 1 in 211 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Buffalo is safer than 84% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Buffalo has decreased by 29%

      Buffalo, MN Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Buffalo

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Buffalo?
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        See all Buffalo poll results

        Daily Crime In Buffalo (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Buffalo, MN per 100,000 people. In Buffalo, the total number of daily crimes is 3.92 times less than the Minnesota average and 4.46 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Buffalo is 4.74 times less than the Minnesota average and 6.63 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Buffalo has a daily crime rate that is 3.82 times less than the Minnesota average and 4.18 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Buffalo (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Minnesota and all other cities across the US, is Buffalo safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Buffalo is safer than 71% of other cities in the state of Minnesota. In addition, Buffalo is safer than 84% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Minnesota and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Buffalo. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Buffalo is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Buffalo

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Buffalo is 1 in 1848
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Buffalo is 1 in 238
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Buffalo is 1 in 211
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Buffalo, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1848. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 238 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Buffalo is 1 in 211.

        Year Over Year Crime In Buffalo (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Buffalo is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Buffalo has increased by 29% and the rate of property crime in Buffalo has decreased by 33%. The total crime rate in Buffalo has decreased by 29% year to year.

        Buffalo police department

        Item Buffalo Minnesota National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)207,759558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.31.83.3
        There are a total of 20 Buffalo police officers. This results in 1.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 29.6% less than the Minnesota average and 61% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Minnesota

        State Total offenders Minnesota /100K National /100K
        Minnesota1,28326266
        There are a total of 1,283 sex offenders in Minnesota. This yields a total of 26 sex offenders in Minnesota per 100,000 residents which is 90% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Howard Lake, MN1,9550270270
        Long Lake, MN1,82846289335
        Greenfield, MN3,10749306355
        Independence, MN3,86949306355
        Becker, MN5,06178312390
        Hanover, MN3,48262388450
        Big Lake, MN11,468132341473
        Buffalo, MN16,77054421475

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Palmetto Estates, FL16,7692171,1531,369
        Los Osos, CA16,7763301,4121,742
        Adelphi, MD16,7804712,2982,769
        Pinehurst, NC16,76059278337
        Pearl River, NY16,781155702857
        Buffalo, MN16,77054421475
        Source: The Buffalo, MN crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.