Safest cities in Minnesota

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Known as the 'North Star State,' Minnesota is celebrated for its beautiful lakes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the northern United States, Minnesota is known for its diverse landscapes, including vast forests, rolling prairies, and over 10,000 lakes. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as healthcare, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the 'Twin Cities,' are cultural and economic hubs, offering a wide array of attractions, including museums, theaters, and music venues. Minnesota is also home to numerous parks and recreational areas, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities year-round, from hiking and fishing in the summer to skiing and ice fishing in the winter.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Minnesota particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Minnesota's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Minnesota's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Montevideo Population: 5,071 0 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 0 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Montevideo proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Minnesota. With only 0 crimes per 100,000 people, Montevideo has a crime rate that is n/a the Minnesota average. This equates to an average of 0.00 crimes per day and a 1 in N/A chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

North Branch Population: 10,585 264 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 107 Property Crime / 100k: 157 chance of being a victim: 1 in 379

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, North Branch comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Minnesota with a crime rate of 264 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 33 counts of burglary, 115 counts of theft, 8 counts of vehicle theft, 91 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 16 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in North Branch, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Minnetrista Population: 7,989 388 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 45 Property Crime / 100k: 343 chance of being a victim: 1 in 257

With a population of 7,989 and a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 residents, Minnetrista is the 3rd safest city in Minnesota. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 89% lower than the Minnesota average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

East Grand Forks Population: 8,555 395 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 113 Property Crime / 100k: 282 chance of being a victim: 1 in 253

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, East Grand Forks is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 395, 91% lower than the Minnesota average. This amounts to 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 253 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make East Grand Forks a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Farmington Population: 22,996 413 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 79 Property Crime / 100k: 333 chance of being a victim: 1 in 242

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Farmington consistently ranks high in safety. In Farmington, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 413, which is 76% lower than the state average.

Dayton Population: 6,258 435 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 18 Property Crime / 100k: 417 chance of being a victim: 1 in 230

Dayton has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Minnesota. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 435 crimes per 100,000 people, 89% lower than the Minnesota average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 44 reports of burglary, 346 reports of theft, 27 reports of vehicle theft, 9 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 9 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Big Lake Population: 11,085 473 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 132 Property Crime / 100k: 341 chance of being a victim: 1 in 212

Big Lake ranks as the seventh safest city in Minnesota and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 212 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.17 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Big Lake’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Minnesota.

Buffalo Population: 16,413 475 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 54 Property Crime / 100k: 421 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Buffalo is the 8th safest city in Minnesota. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 83% lower than the Minnesota average, reporting a total of 475 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Jordan Population: 6,289 501 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 88 Property Crime / 100k: 413 chance of being a victim: 1 in 199

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Jordan is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Minnesota, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 501 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the state average.

La Crescent Population: 5,135 511 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 76 Property Crime / 100k: 436 chance of being a victim: 1 in 196

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Minnesota, is La Crescent. With a low rate of crime that included 57 burglaries, 379 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 76 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 95% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Minnesota

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Montevideo	5,071	0	0	0
2	North Branch	10,585	107	157	264
3	Minnetrista	7,989	45	343	388
4	East Grand Forks	8,555	113	282	395
5	Farmington	22,996	79	333	413
6	Dayton	6,258	18	417	435
7	Big Lake	11,085	132	341	473
8	Buffalo	16,413	54	421	475
9	Jordan	6,289	88	413	501
10	La Crescent	5,135	76	436	511
11	Kasson	6,425	97	416	513
12	Corcoran	6,113	12	507	520
13	Belle Plaine	7,137	135	404	538
14	Orono	8,217	53	491	544
15	Rosemount	24,792	57	500	556
16	St. Joseph	7,448	119	448	567
17	Isanti	6,016	80	491	570
18	Ramsey	27,201	62	517	580
19	Glencoe	5,488	88	513	602
20	Wyoming	7,976	61	565	626
21	St. Peter	11,934	73	558	631
22	Lakeville	65,710	76	571	648
23	Medina	6,549	14	648	662
24	New Prague	8,022	48	629	677
25	Lino Lakes	21,748	35	661	696
26	Cloquet	11,994	175	525	700
27	Chaska	26,753	85	635	720
28	Cottage Grove	37,120	39	682	721
29	Hibbing	15,923	63	666	729
30	Savage	31,758	78	715	794
31	Stillwater	19,471	83	865	949
32	Owatonna	25,716	151	820	971
33	Lake City	5,050	75	900	975
34	Marshall	13,604	273	718	991
35	North Mankato	13,903	150	849	999
36	St. Francis	7,793	223	809	1,031
37	Golden Valley	21,611	67	985	1,053
38	Mendota Heights	11,339	191	878	1,069
39	Plymouth	78,879	51	1,024	1,075
40	New Ulm	13,209	72	1,017	1,090
41	Elk River	24,894	90	1,006	1,096
42	Hastings	22,796	113	999	1,113
43	Grand Rapids	11,218	88	1,032	1,121
44	St. Paul Park	5,404	301	847	1,148
45	Waseca	8,892	195	965	1,161
46	Prior Lake	26,775	107	1,072	1,179
47	Worthington	13,093	281	924	1,205
48	Champlin	24,980	115	1,136	1,252
49	Mounds View	13,193	189	1,076	1,265
50	Shakopee	41,423	116	1,159	1,275

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Minnesota is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Minnesota cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.