Is Elk River or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elk River is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 70/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 28% 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: Rochester is 4.4x 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
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elk River, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elk River | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,096.1 | 1,522.5 | -426.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.8 | 154.0 | -64.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 32.3 | 26.1 | +6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.2 | 26.1 | -18.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.3 | 97.8 | -47.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,006.3 | 1,368.5 | -362.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.5 | 173.6 | -19.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 797.8 | 1,103.6 | -305.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.9 | 91.3 | -37.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elk River or Rochester safer?
Elk River is safer with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elk River has a violent crime rate of 89.8 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. 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 Rochester, MN
Rochester, Minnesota, home to the Mayo Clinic, is a city in southeastern Minnesota. Its population of over 120,000 makes it the state's third-largest city. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 122,694, Rochester has a total crime rate of 1,522.5 per 100,000 residents.