Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Spearfish, SD has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,847 of 2,971 US cities and #8 of 13 in South Dakota.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Spearfish, South Dakota Safe?
Spearfish, nestled in the northern Black Hills, is home to Black Hills State University. Its population of around 12,000 enjoys proximity to Spearfish Canyon, a scenic byway.
Spearfish has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Spearfish ranks #8 out of 13 cities in South Dakota and #1847 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Spearfish is rape, at 102.5 per 100K — 2.4x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Spearfish's total crime rate decreased by 3.1%, with violent crime rising 40%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Spearfish Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 36 | 263.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 14 | 102.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 14.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 20 | 146.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 249 | 1,823.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 23 | 168.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 211 | 1,545.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 15 | 109.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Spearfish vs South Dakota Average
How does Spearfish's crime rate compare to the South Dakota state average?
| Metric | Spearfish | South Dakota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 263.6 | 455.0 | -42.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,823.2 | 2,476.1 | -26.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.8 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,086.8 | 2,931.1 | -28.8% |
Spearfish Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Spearfish, South Dakota.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,657 | 2,086.8 | 263.6 | 1,823.2 |
| 2023 | 13,276 | 2,154.3 | 188.3 | 1,966.0 |
| 2022 | 12,517 | 2,612.5 | 247.7 | 2,364.8 |
| 2021 | 12,047 | 2,091.8 | 174.3 | 1,917.5 |
| 2020 | 11,902 | 2,873.5 | 294.1 | 2,579.4 |
| 2019 | 11,842 | 2,457.4 | 194.2 | 2,263.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spearfish, South Dakota safe?
Spearfish has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Spearfish is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Spearfish, South Dakota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Spearfish has a violent crime rate of 263.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,823.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Spearfish compare to the national average?
Spearfish's total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 13,657 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Spearfish?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Spearfish include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Spearfish safe to visit?
Like any city, Spearfish has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.