Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Brainerd, MN has a Safety Score of 35/100 — higher crime than 65% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,210.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,937 of 2,971 US cities and #71 of 90 in Minnesota.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Brainerd, Minnesota Safe?
Brainerd, a city in Crow Wing County, is known for its Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. Situated in north-central Minnesota, it's a regional hub for the Brainerd Lakes Area, attracting seasonal visitors.
Brainerd has a safety score of 35/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,210.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Brainerd ranks #71 out of 90 cities in Minnesota and #1937 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 35th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 65% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Brainerd is rape, at 68.4 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Brainerd's total crime rate decreased by 20.8%, with violent crime declining 24.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Brainerd Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 63 | 431.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 10 | 68.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 41.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 47 | 321.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 260 | 1,779.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 27 | 184.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 226 | 1,546.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 47.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Brainerd vs Minnesota Average
How does Brainerd's crime rate compare to the Minnesota state average?
| Metric | Brainerd | Minnesota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 431.1 | 341.7 | +26.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,779.0 | 2,199.4 | -19.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,210.1 | 2,541.1 | -13.0% |
Brainerd Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Brainerd, Minnesota.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,615 | 2,210.1 | 431.1 | 1,779.0 |
| 2023 | 14,666 | 2,788.8 | 572.8 | 2,216.0 |
| 2022 | 14,398 | 2,840.7 | 514.0 | 2,326.7 |
| 2021 | 13,436 | 3,237.6 | 543.3 | 2,694.3 |
| 2020 | 13,417 | 4,188.7 | 521.7 | 3,667.0 |
| 2019 | 13,449 | 3,896.2 | 468.4 | 3,427.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brainerd, Minnesota safe?
Brainerd has a safety score of 35/100, meaning it has less crime than about 35% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,210.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Brainerd is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Brainerd, Minnesota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Brainerd has a violent crime rate of 431.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,779.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Brainerd compare to the national average?
Brainerd's total crime rate of 2,210.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 14,615 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Brainerd?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Brainerd include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Brainerd safe to visit?
Like any city, Brainerd has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 35/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.