Is Forest Lake or Minneapolis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake is safer than Minneapolis (Safety Score 53/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 6,305 for Minneapolis — 75% lower. Forest Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Minneapolis is 20.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Minneapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Forest Lake, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Forest Lake | Minneapolis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.7 | 6,304.5 | -4,708.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.9 | 1,161.6 | -1,040.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 18.0 | -18.0 |
| Rape Rate | 19.3 | 89.1 | -69.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.8 | 371.9 | -367.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 96.7 | 681.3 | -584.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,474.9 | 5,142.9 | -3,668.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 618.7 | -464.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,213.7 | 2,977.5 | -1,763.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 1,546.7 | -1,440.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Lake or Minneapolis safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 6,305 for Minneapolis — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Forest Lake has a violent crime rate of 120.9 per 100K while Minneapolis has 1,161.6. Forest Lake has lower violent crime.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota, a city bisected by the Mississippi River, boasts a vibrant arts scene, home to the iconic Guthrie Theater. Its diverse population is concentrated in a landscape of lakes and parks. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 423,282, Minneapolis has a total crime rate of 6,304.5 per 100,000 residents.