Is Aberdeen or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Aberdeen (Safety Score 62/100 vs 50/100), with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100,000 versus 1,678 for Aberdeen — 21% lower. Aberdeen has higher rates in 1 of 5 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Watertown has a 27% lower rate.
Aberdeen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aberdeen, SD
Watertown, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aberdeen | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,678.3 | 1,328.1 | +350.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.8 | 303.2 | -35.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 50.0 | 64.1 | -14.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 217.8 | 239.1 | -21.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,410.5 | 1,024.9 | +385.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 250.0 | 68.3 | +181.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,057.0 | 888.2 | +168.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.6 | 68.3 | +35.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100K vs 1,678 for Aberdeen — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aberdeen has a violent crime rate of 267.8 per 100K while Watertown has 303.2. 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 Watertown, SD
Watertown, named for its many lakes, is a regional hub in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Terry Redlin's art center, the city has a population of around 23,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 23,417, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,328.1 per 100,000 residents.