Is Rapid City, SD Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Rapid City, South Dakota reported 3,127.44 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.83 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 2,020.47 per 100,000 above that reference, with 2,403 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Rapid City, South Dakota reported 566.14 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.47 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 336.58 per 100,000 above that reference, with 435 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Rapid City, South Dakota reported 393.04 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.09 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 204.89 per 100,000 above that reference, with 302 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Rapid City, South Dakota reported 85.90 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.78 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 37.66 per 100,000 above that reference, with 66 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Rapid City, South Dakota reported 321.46 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.67 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 128.46 per 100,000 above that reference, with 247 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Rapid City, SD has an adjusted safety score of 12.67 out of 100. It ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Dakota. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as increasing.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the South Dakota workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 66 | 85.9 | 48.24 |
1.78× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 435 | 566.14 | 229.56 |
2.47× national |
| Burglary | 302 | 393.04 | 188.15 |
2.09× national |
| Larceny-theft | 2403 | 3127.44 | 1106.97 |
2.83× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 247 | 321.46 | 193.0 |
1.67× national |
Comparing Rapid City to somewhere else? Take the file with you.
What drives Rapid City's safety score?
Rapid City ranks in the bottom quarter of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Dakota, ahead of approximately 0% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 76,836 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Property Security at 14.03, while Community Order is lowest at 2.39. The 11.64-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Larceny-theft is highest relative to its national reference at 3127.44 per 100,000 (2.83× the national rate). Motor Vehicle Theft is lowest on the same relative basis at 321.46 per 100,000 (1.67× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Rapid City, South Dakota recorded 2,403 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 69.6% of the 3,453 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 66 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Rapid City, South Dakota recorded 435 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 12.6% of the 3,453 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 66 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Rapid City, South Dakota recorded 302 burglary offenses in 2025, 8.7% of the 3,453 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 66 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Rapid City, South Dakota uses a reporting population of 76,836 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Rapid City, South Dakota has an adjusted score of 12.67 points out of 100 versus 62.85 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, a difference of 50.18 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Rapid City ranks 3 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Rapid City, South Dakota has an adjusted score of 12.67 points out of 100 versus 44.84 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a difference of 32.17 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Rapid City ranks 3 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City safe compared to other places in South Dakota?
Rapid City is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 12.67 out of 100 and ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Dakota.
What is the crime rate in Rapid City?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Rapid City's safety rating?
Rapid City's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 12.67 out of 100, which ranks #3 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in South Dakota. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as increasing, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Rapid City?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Rapid City?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.