Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Yankton, SD has a Safety Score of 34/100 — higher crime than 66% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,248.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,963 of 2,971 US cities and #10 of 13 in South Dakota.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Yankton, South Dakota Safe?
Yankton, South Dakota, once the territorial capital, lies on the Missouri River near the Nebraska border. This city of just over 15,000 residents boasts a rich history and a scenic riverfront.
Yankton has a safety score of 34/100 (Higher Crime Than 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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 34/100, meaning it has less crime than about 34% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,248.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Yankton is higher-crime than most US cities.
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 data covers 15,698 residents.
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 34/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.