Is Aberdeen or Spearfish Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aberdeen is safer than Spearfish (Safety Score 50/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100,000 versus 2,087 for Spearfish — 20% lower. Aberdeen has lower rates in 4 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Aberdeen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aberdeen is 2.1x 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
Spearfish — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aberdeen, SD
Spearfish, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aberdeen | Spearfish | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,678.3 | 2,086.8 | -408.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.8 | 263.6 | +4.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 50.0 | 102.5 | -52.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 14.6 | -14.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 217.8 | 146.5 | +71.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,410.5 | 1,823.2 | -412.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 250.0 | 168.4 | +81.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,057.0 | 1,545.0 | -488.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.6 | 109.8 | -6.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Spearfish safer?
Aberdeen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100K vs 2,087 for Spearfish — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aberdeen has a violent crime rate of 267.8 per 100K while Spearfish has 263.6. Spearfish 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 Spearfish, SD
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. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 13,657, Spearfish has a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents.