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: 5,198 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: 10,855 264 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: 8,230 388 total crimes per 100k

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

With a population of 8,230 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.

Becker Population: 5,061 390 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 312 chance of being a victim: 1 in 257

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Becker 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 390, 95% lower than the Minnesota average. This amounts to 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 257 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 Becker a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

East Grand Forks Population: 8,756 395 total crimes per 100k

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

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, East Grand Forks consistently ranks high in safety. In East Grand Forks, 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 395, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Farmington Population: 23,819 413 total crimes per 100k

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

Farmington 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 413 crimes per 100,000 people, 76% lower than the Minnesota average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 46 reports of burglary, 267 reports of theft, 21 reports of vehicle theft, 38 reports of assault, 4 reports of robbery, 38 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Dayton Population: 6,423 435 total crimes per 100k

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

Dayton ranks as the seventh safest city in Minnesota and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 230 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.13 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. Dayton’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Minnesota.

Big Lake Population: 11,468 473 total crimes per 100k

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

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Big Lake is the 8th safest city in Minnesota. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 87% lower than the Minnesota average, reporting a total of 473 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.

Buffalo Population: 16,770 475 total crimes per 100k

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

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Buffalo 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 475 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 83% lower than the state average.

Jordan Population: 6,499 501 total crimes per 100k

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

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Minnesota, is Jordan. With a low rate of crime that included 59 burglaries, 324 thefts, 29 vehicle thefts, 74 assaults, 15 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 93% 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	5,198	0	0	0
2	North Branch	10,855	107	157	264
3	Minnetrista	8,230	45	343	388
4	Becker	5,061	78	312	390
5	East Grand Forks	8,756	113	282	395
6	Farmington	23,819	79	333	413
7	Dayton	6,423	18	417	435
8	Big Lake	11,468	132	341	473
9	Buffalo	16,770	54	421	475
10	Jordan	6,499	88	413	501
11	La Crescent	5,277	76	436	511
12	Kasson	6,620	97	416	513
13	Corcoran	6,327	12	507	520
14	Belle Plaine	7,390	135	404	538
15	Orono	8,455	53	491	544
16	Rosemount	25,406	57	500	556
17	St. Joseph	7,722	119	448	567
18	Isanti	6,216	80	491	570
19	Ramsey	27,748	62	517	580
20	Glencoe	5,684	88	513	602
21	Wyoming	8,226	61	565	626
22	St. Peter	12,333	73	558	631
23	Lakeville	67,943	76	571	648
24	Medina	6,711	14	648	662
25	New Prague	8,268	48	629	677
26	Lino Lakes	22,340	35	661	696
27	Cloquet	12,471	175	525	700
28	Chaska	27,617	85	635	720
29	Cottage Grove	38,398	39	682	721
30	Hibbing	16,417	63	666	729
31	Savage	32,591	78	715	794
32	Stillwater	20,207	83	865	949
33	Owatonna	26,702	151	820	971
34	Lake City	5,226	75	900	975
35	Marshall	14,075	273	718	991
36	North Mankato	14,344	150	849	999
37	St. Francis	7,954	223	809	1,031
38	Golden Valley	22,333	67	985	1,053
39	Mendota Heights	11,733	191	878	1,069
40	Plymouth	81,485	51	1,024	1,075
41	New Ulm	13,686	72	1,017	1,090
42	Elk River	25,478	90	1,006	1,096
43	Hastings	23,352	113	999	1,113
44	Grand Rapids	11,472	88	1,032	1,121
45	St. Paul Park	5,562	301	847	1,148
46	Waseca	9,195	195	965	1,161
47	Prior Lake	27,582	107	1,072	1,179
48	Worthington	13,520	281	924	1,205
49	Champlin	25,860	115	1,136	1,252
50	Mounds View	13,468	189	1,076	1,265

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.