Is Elk River or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elk River is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 70/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 68% 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: St. Paul is 10.9x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elk River, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elk River | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,096.1 | 3,452.1 | -2,356.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.8 | 618.0 | -528.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 32.3 | 65.8 | -33.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.2 | 119.1 | -111.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.3 | 424.3 | -374.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,006.3 | 2,834.1 | -1,827.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.5 | 468.3 | -313.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 797.8 | 1,883.6 | -1,085.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.9 | 482.2 | -428.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elk River or St. Paul safer?
Elk River is safer with a total crime rate of 1,096 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elk River has a violent crime rate of 89.8 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. 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 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.