| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Rapid City/100k people | South Dakota/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,331 | n/a (estimate) | 4,267 | 2,114 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 6.4 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 97 | n/a | 124.3 | 55.8 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 65 | n/a | 83.3 | 25.3 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 365 | n/a | 467.6 | 292.0 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 532 | n/a (estimate) | 682 | 377 | 370 |
| Burglary | 475 | n/a | 608.5 | 263.0 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,921 | n/a | 2,460.8 | 1,231.8 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 403 | n/a | 516.3 | 242.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 2,799 | n/a (estimate) | 3,586 | 1,737 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Rapid City crime rate is higher than the national average by 83.6%. Specifically, there were 532 violent crimes in Rapid City, equivalent to 682 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 84.3%. Furthermore, Rapid City recorded 2799 property crimes, amounting to 3586 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 83.5%.
In Rapid City, the crime rate stands at 4267 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 83.59%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Rapid City that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Rapid City reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 3586 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 28 chance of falling victim to property crime in Rapid City, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Rapid City faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 403 vehicle thefts, translating to 516 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Rapid City in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 194.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Rapid City. Based on the results of the surveys (119 responses), 35% of people felt that there was very little crime in Rapid City and felt safe walking alone at night. While 65% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Rapid City is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Rapid City has an overall crime rate that is 84% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 9.13 daily occurrences, comprising 1.46 violent crimes and 7.67 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Rapid City as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Rapid City crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Rapid City has increased by 12.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 3.7% and property crime has increased by 14.2%.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Rapid City, 86.9% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Rapid City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.03, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
In Rapid City, the average rental rates are $855 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Rapid City | South Dakota | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 142 | 995 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | South Dakota /100K | National /100K |
| South Dakota | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Colonial Pine Hills, SD | 2,720 | 59 | 272 | 332 |
| Summerset, SD | 2,607 | 125 | 576 | 701 |
| Piedmont, SD | 1,188 | 137 | 629 | 766 |
| Blackhawk, SD | 3,029 | 161 | 740 | 901 |
| Johnson Siding, SD | 658 | 225 | 1,037 | 1,262 |
| Box Elder, SD | 9,937 | 401 | 1,448 | 1,849 |
| Rapid Valley, SD | 8,553 | 347 | 1,601 | 1,948 |
| Rapid City, SD | 76,541 | 682 | 3,586 | 4,267 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Temple, TX | 76,590 | 353 | 1,751 | 2,103 |
| Gastonia, NC | 76,635 | 787 | 3,938 | 4,726 |
| Bellflower, CA | 76,339 | 587 | 2,495 | 3,082 |
| Racine, WI | 76,893 | 434 | 1,505 | 1,939 |
| Hammond, IN | 76,141 | 670 | 3,347 | 4,017 |
| Rapid City, SD | 76,541 | 682 | 3,586 | 4,267 |
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