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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Lakes Area, MN has a Safety Score of 83/100 — safer than 83% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 760.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #494 of 2,957 US cities and #17 of 89 in Minnesota.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Lakes Area, MN?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Lakes Area, Minnesota Safe?
The Lakes Area of Minnesota, known for its abundant freshwater lakes popular with tourists and retirees, is home to Brainerd, a city established during the Northern Pacific Railway's westward expansion. This region, predominantly White, experiences seasonal population shifts.
Lakes Area has a safety score of 83/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 760.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Lakes Area ranks #17 out of 89 cities in Minnesota and #494 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 83rd percentile for safety — safer than 83% of US cities.
Year over year, Lakes Area's total crime rate decreased by 27.7%, with violent crime declining 39.1%.
Lakes Area Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 11 | 102.0 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 5 | 46.4 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 6 | 55.7 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 71 | 658.6 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 4 | 37.1 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 64 | 593.6 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 27.8 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Lakes Area vs Minnesota Average
How does Lakes Area's crime rate compare to the Minnesota state average?
| Metric | Lakes Area | Minnesota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 102.0 | 342.5 | -70.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 658.6 | 2,206.8 | -70.2% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 760.6 | 2,549.3 | -70.2% |
Lakes Area Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Lakes Area, Minnesota.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,781 | 760.6 | 102.0 | 658.6 |
| 2023 | 10,738 | 1,052.3 | 167.6 | 884.7 |
| 2022 | 10,739 | 1,285.0 | 130.4 | 1,154.7 |
| 2021 | 10,026 | 1,446.2 | 109.7 | 1,336.5 |
| 2020 | 10,000 | 1,560.0 | 90.0 | 1,470.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakes Area, Minnesota safe?
Lakes Area has a safety score of 83/100, meaning it has less crime than about 83% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 760.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Lakes Area is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Lakes Area, Minnesota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Lakes Area has a violent crime rate of 102.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 658.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Lakes Area compare to the national average?
Lakes Area's total crime rate of 760.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,781 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Lakes Area?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Lakes Area are larceny-theft (64 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (6 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 6.5x in the city.
Is Lakes Area safe to visit?
Like any city, Lakes Area has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 83/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.