Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Cottage Grove, MN has a Safety Score of 84/100 — safer than 84% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 721.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #463 of 2,971 US cities and #16 of 90 in Minnesota.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Cottage Grove, Minnesota Safe?
Cottage Grove, a Mississippi River town southeast of St. Paul, was once a thriving logging community. This Washington County suburb has grown significantly in recent decades, with a population exceeding 39,000.
Cottage Grove has a safety score of 84/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 721.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Cottage Grove ranks #16 out of 90 cities in Minnesota and #463 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 84th percentile for safety — safer than 84% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Cottage Grove are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Cottage Grove's total crime rate decreased by 6.3%, with violent crime declining 46.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Cottage Grove Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 17 | 39.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 16.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 9.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 6 | 13.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 294 | 681.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 26 | 60.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 251 | 582.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 17 | 39.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cottage Grove vs Minnesota Average
How does Cottage Grove's crime rate compare to the Minnesota state average?
| Metric | Cottage Grove | Minnesota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 39.4 | 341.7 | -88.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 681.6 | 2,199.4 | -69.0% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 721.1 | 2,541.1 | -71.6% |
Cottage Grove Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43,131 | 721.1 | 39.4 | 681.6 |
| 2023 | 42,096 | 769.7 | 73.6 | 696.0 |
| 2022 | 40,871 | 1,008.1 | 68.5 | 939.5 |
| 2021 | 38,534 | 1,248.3 | 96.0 | 1,152.2 |
| 2020 | 37,940 | 1,560.4 | 55.4 | 1,505.0 |
| 2019 | 37,534 | 1,649.2 | 77.3 | 1,571.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove, Minnesota safe?
Cottage Grove has a safety score of 84/100, meaning it has less crime than about 84% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 721.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Cottage Grove is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Cottage Grove has a violent crime rate of 39.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 681.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Cottage Grove compare to the national average?
Cottage Grove's total crime rate of 721.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 43,131 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Cottage Grove?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Cottage Grove include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Cottage Grove safe to visit?
Like any city, Cottage Grove has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 84/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.