11 Safest Cities in South Dakota (2025 Update)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

South Dakota is home to many beautiful parks that make fantastic vacation spots. There are also plenty of wonderful places to live. If you are considering moving or visiting South Dakota and would like to know where the safest areas are, keep reading this list of the safest cities in South Dakota. We’ll discuss the population, murder rate, violent crime rate, and more to help you avoid dangerous areas when choosing your vacation spot or home.

The 11 Safest Cities in South Dakota: A Quick Look

1. Brandon, SD

Brandon, South Dakota, currently has a crime rate of 86.6% below the national average, making it one of the safer places you can be in America. No murders or robberies have been reported recently, and other types of crimes are well below the average in South Dakota and the United States. It also ranks high in jobs, housing, affordability, and education.

2. Sisseton, SD

Sisseton is one of the safer cities in South Dakota, and it currently sits at 68.3% below the national average in crime. It had zero murders and robberies last year, and aggravated assault and violent crime are well below the state average. Vehicle theft is the only type of crime on par with the rest of the state and nation.

3. Madison, SD

Madison is a dense suburban area where most residents own their homes. The crime rate is about 49.25% below the national average, with no recent murders or robberies. The other types of crime are also well below average, with property crime being the biggest problem.

4. Hot Springs, SD

Hot Springs, South Dakota, is one of the more popular tourist destinations because of its amazing parks and sights. You can find woolly mammoth bones and plenty of historic sites because it was one of the first mining towns in the area.

It’s quite safe, with no recent murders or burglaries, and even theft and property crimes are pretty low, with the most significant problem being violent crime. At 315.6 per 100,000 people, it is higher than many other cities on this list.

5. Winner, SD

Winner is a small town in South Dakota that still has drive-in movie theaters for residents to enjoy. There’s little crime, with no recent murders or burglaries, and it currently sits at 47.25% below the national average in crime.

Other types of crime in the city are lower than the national average, including property crime, which is high in many other cities. However, violent crime is relatively high at 459 per 100,000 people, and it passes the average in the state and the nation.

6. Brookings, SD

Brookings, South Dakota, is the fourth largest city in the state, so it’s impressive that it makes it onto a list of the safest places to visit. It has a crime rate of about 39.8% below the national average.

There is no murder and little robbery, with the biggest problems being theft and property crime. Housing can be a little harder to find than other cities on this list, but the job market and the quality of education are impressive.

7. Canton, SD

Canton is a rainy city in South Dakota with a growing population of almost 4,000 people. There’s not much crime in the area, with no recent murders or robberies, but burglary is a problem, and more occur than in the average city across the United States.

It currently stands at 18.58% below the national crime average. The area has plenty of good jobs, but housing and education could use improvements.

8. North Sioux City, SD

North Sioux City lies on the southern edge of South Dakota, and it has a population of a little over 3,000 people. Many people believe it to be the first settlement in the state, and it is a safe city with no recently reported murders or burglaries. It currently stands at 16% below the national average in crime, with theft, grand theft auto, and property crime being the biggest problems.

9. Vermillion, SD

Vermillion is set up in the southeastern corner of South Dakota. French fur traders were the first to visit at the end of the 18th century, and today, it’s well known for the friendliness of its citizens.

There are no recent murders or robberies, and most of the other crimes are well below the national and state average, except property crime and theft. It currently stands at 14.28% below the national average in crime.

10. Summerset, SD

Summerset, South Dakota, is a growing city that currently stands about 10.5% below the national average in crime. No one has recently reported murders; the violent crime rate is 178.8 per 100,000. Theft and property crime are high in this area, beating the state average in both cases. However, it’s still a great place to live, with plenty of housing and jobs. The education in this area is also top-notch.

11. Spearfish, SD

Spearfish, South Dakota, currently has the record for the fastest temperature change in the United States. The temperature started at -4 degrees Fahrenheit and rose to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in only 2 minutes on January 22, 1943, at approximately 7:30 AM. It’s the lowest-rated city on this list, but it’s still safer than the average city in the United States and currently stands at .78% below the national average in crime.

How to Stay Safe in South Dakota

Many types of crime are less prevalent in South Dakota than the national average, so it’s a relatively safe place to visit and live. However, crime can occur anywhere at any time, so it’s best to plan ahead to protect yourself even if you live in one of the safe cities on this list. One of the best things you can do is ensure you have a working alarm system in your home and your vehicle.

Visible video cameras can also help dissuade criminals from entering your property, as most will try to find an easier target. Since property crime is high in South Dakota, video cameras can also help you see what’s occurring and collect proof to show the authorities.

If you’re traveling alone, keep your cell phone out and fully charged so you can access your camera and social media and get help if needed. If you need to travel long distances on foot regularly, you might think about taking self-defense classes in case a problem should arise, and when possible, always try to keep someone with you, especially at night.

See Also:

• 9 SAFEST CITIES IN CONNECTICUT
• 10 SAFEST CITIES IN NEW MEXICO
• 10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN VIRGINIA

Conclusion

South Dakota is a safe state with almost no murders or robberies. The biggest problem is property crime, including arson, vandalism, and other issues, but the numbers are well below average in most cities on this list. While Brandon and Sisseton got the highest marks, each city is above the national average, so you can feel comfortable that you are visiting a safe place.

Featured Image Credit: Brookings SD (Image Credit: Jon Platek, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)