Is Lakes Area or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lakes Area is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 83/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 761 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 78% 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: St. Paul is 28.2x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakes Area, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakes Area | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 760.6 | 3,452.1 | -2,691.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 102.0 | 618.0 | -516.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 46.4 | 65.8 | -19.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 119.1 | -119.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 55.7 | 424.3 | -368.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 658.6 | 2,834.1 | -2,175.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 37.1 | 468.3 | -431.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 593.6 | 1,883.6 | -1,289.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.8 | 482.2 | -454.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakes Area or St. Paul safer?
Lakes Area is safer with a total crime rate of 761 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakes Area has a violent crime rate of 102.0 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. 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 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.