Is Lakes Area or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lakes Area is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 83/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 761 per 100,000 versus 1,522 for Rochester — 50% lower. Lakes Area has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakes Area has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rochester is 11.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lakes Area — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakes Area, MN
Rochester, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakes Area | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 760.6 | 1,522.5 | -761.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 102.0 | 154.0 | -52.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 46.4 | 26.1 | +20.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 26.1 | -26.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 55.7 | 97.8 | -42.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 658.6 | 1,368.5 | -709.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 37.1 | 173.6 | -136.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 593.6 | 1,103.6 | -509.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.8 | 91.3 | -63.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakes Area or Rochester safer?
Lakes Area is safer with a total crime rate of 761 per 100K vs 1,522 for Rochester — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakes Area has a violent crime rate of 102.0 per 100K while Rochester has 154.0. Lakes Area has lower violent crime.
About Lakes Area, MN
The Lakes Area of Minnesota, known for its abundant freshwater lakes popular with tourists and retirees, is home to Brainerd, a city established during the Northern Pacific Railway's westward expansion. This region, predominantly White, experiences seasonal population shifts. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 10,781, Lakes Area has a total crime rate of 760.6 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.