Is Elk River or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elk River is safer than Houston (Safety Score 70/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 80% lower. Elk River has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elk River has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 83.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elk River — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elk River, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elk River | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,096.1 | 5,441.7 | -4,345.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.8 | 1,148.3 | -1,058.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 32.3 | 73.0 | -40.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.2 | 274.0 | -266.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.3 | 787.4 | -737.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,006.3 | 4,293.5 | -3,287.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.5 | 644.8 | -490.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 797.8 | 2,945.7 | -2,147.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.9 | 703.0 | -649.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elk River or Houston safer?
Elk River is safer with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elk River has a violent crime rate of 89.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elk River has lower violent crime.
About Elk River, MN
Elk River, the Sherburne County seat, is where the Elk River meets the Mississippi. Its hydroelectric power plant, built in 1907, was instrumental in its early growth. The city is home to over 27,000 residents. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 27,826, Elk River has a total crime rate of 1,096.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.