Is Box Elder or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Box Elder is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 55/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,542 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 66% lower. Box Elder has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Box Elder has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Box Elder — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Box Elder, SD
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Box Elder | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,542.3 | 4,516.0 | -2,973.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.6 | 723.8 | -374.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.9 | 6.2 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 68.5 | 135.9 | -67.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.9 | 103.8 | -96.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.3 | 473.1 | -205.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,192.7 | 3,792.1 | -2,599.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.4 | 427.4 | -256.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 863.7 | 2,986.8 | -2,123.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 157.7 | 378.0 | -220.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Box Elder or Rapid City safer?
Box Elder is safer with a total crime rate of 1,542 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Box Elder has a violent crime rate of 349.6 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Box Elder has lower violent crime.
About Box Elder, SD
Box Elder, South Dakota, a community near Ellsworth Air Force Base, is home to the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. This growing town, part of the Rapid City metropolitan area, is situated in Pennington County. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 14,589, Box Elder has a total crime rate of 1,542.3 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.