Is Bemidji or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Paul is safer than Bemidji (Safety Score 13/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,452 per 100,000 versus 5,400 for Bemidji — 36% lower. Bemidji has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bemidji has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 19.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bemidji — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bemidji, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bemidji | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,399.6 | 3,452.1 | +1,947.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 813.7 | 618.0 | +195.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 208.2 | 65.8 | +142.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.0 | 119.1 | -37.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 523.6 | 424.3 | +99.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,585.9 | 2,834.1 | +1,751.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 353.3 | 468.3 | -115.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,049.7 | 1,883.6 | +2,166.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 182.9 | 482.2 | -299.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bemidji or St. Paul safer?
St. Paul is safer with a total crime rate of 3,452 per 100K vs 5,400 for Bemidji — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bemidji has a violent crime rate of 813.7 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. St. Paul has lower violent crime.
About Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, Minnesota, "First City on the Mississippi," is a northern Minnesota hub. This city of 15,000 is home to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, reflecting its logging heritage. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 15,853, Bemidji has a total crime rate of 5,399.6 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota, is the state capital, known for its historic Summit Avenue. This city, one of the "Twin Cities," sits on the Mississippi River, with a diverse population of over 300,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 304,051, St. Paul has a total crime rate of 3,452.1 per 100,000 residents.