Violent
Property
Total
Yankton, SD Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 15,698
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Yankton, South Dakota Safe?
Yankton has a safety score of 59/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,248.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Yankton ranks #10 out of 13 cities in South Dakota and #1963 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 34th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 66% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Yankton is rape, at 82.8 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Yankton's total crime rate decreased by 18.9%, with violent crime declining 22%.
Yankton Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 44 | 280.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 6.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 13 | 82.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 6.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 28 | 178.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 309 | 1,968.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 13 | 82.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 282 | 1,796.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 14 | 89.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Yankton vs South Dakota Average
How does Yankton's crime rate compare to the South Dakota state average?
| Metric | Yankton | South Dakota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 280.3 | 455.0 | -38.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,968.4 | 2,476.1 | -20.5% |
| Murder Rate | 6.4 | 4.8 | +32.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,248.7 | 2,931.1 | -23.3% |
Yankton Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Yankton, South Dakota.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15,698 | 2,248.7 | 280.3 | 1,968.4 |
| 2023 | 15,588 | 2,771.4 | 359.3 | 2,412.1 |
| 2022 | 15,507 | 2,992.2 | 399.8 | 2,592.4 |
| 2021 | 14,669 | 2,440.5 | 368.1 | 2,072.4 |
| 2020 | 14,712 | 3,786.0 | 564.2 | 3,221.9 |
| 2019 | 14,730 | 3,129.7 | 583.8 | 2,545.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yankton, South Dakota safe?
Yankton has a safety score of 59/100. With a total crime rate of 2,248.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Yankton is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Yankton, South Dakota?
According to FBI data for 2024, Yankton has a violent crime rate of 280.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,968.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Yankton compare to the national average?
Yankton's total crime rate of 2,248.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 15,698.
What types of crime are most common in Yankton?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Yankton include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Yankton safe to visit?
Like any city, Yankton has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 59/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.