Is Brookings or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookings is safer than Sioux Falls (Safety Score 64/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100,000 versus 3,442 for Sioux Falls — 63% lower. Brookings has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookings has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Sioux Falls is 8.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookings, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookings | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,266.3 | 3,442.0 | -2,175.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.3 | 526.7 | -437.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.6 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 28.0 | -11.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 47.4 | -47.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.0 | 444.7 | -375.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,177.0 | 2,915.2 | -1,738.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 44.7 | 303.0 | -258.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,059.3 | 2,174.7 | -1,115.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.1 | 437.6 | -364.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookings or Sioux Falls safer?
Brookings is safer with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100K vs 3,442 for Sioux Falls — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookings has a violent crime rate of 89.3 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Brookings has lower violent crime.
About Brookings, SD
Brookings, South Dakota, home to South Dakota State University, is a plains community near the Minnesota border. Its population of around 24,000 is largely influenced by the university's students and faculty. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 24,638, Brookings has a total crime rate of 1,266.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.