Is Aberdeen or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aberdeen is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 50/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 63% lower. Aberdeen has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aberdeen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aberdeen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aberdeen, SD
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aberdeen | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,678.3 | 4,516.0 | -2,837.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.8 | 723.8 | -456.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 50.0 | 135.9 | -85.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 103.8 | -103.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 217.8 | 473.1 | -255.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,410.5 | 3,792.1 | -2,381.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 250.0 | 427.4 | -177.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,057.0 | 2,986.8 | -1,929.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.6 | 378.0 | -274.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Rapid City safer?
Aberdeen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aberdeen has a violent crime rate of 267.8 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Aberdeen has lower violent crime.
About Aberdeen, SD
Aberdeen, a city named after its Scottish counterpart, is the county seat of Brown County in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Northern State University, it's a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 28,004, Aberdeen has a total crime rate of 1,678.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.