Is Northfield or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northfield is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 56/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 56% lower. Northfield has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 14.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Northfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Northfield, MN
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Northfield | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,502.4 | 3,452.1 | -1,949.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 151.7 | 618.0 | -466.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.6 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 33.2 | 65.8 | -32.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 119.1 | -119.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.5 | 424.3 | -305.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,350.8 | 2,834.1 | -1,483.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 104.3 | 468.3 | -364.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,237.0 | 1,883.6 | -646.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 9.5 | 482.2 | -472.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northfield or St. Paul safer?
Northfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Northfield has a violent crime rate of 151.7 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. Northfield has lower violent crime.
About Northfield, MN
Nestled on the Cannon River, Northfield is a historic college town home to Carleton and St. Olaf colleges. Its population of around 20,000 is largely composed of academics and their families. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 21,099, Northfield has a total crime rate of 1,502.4 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.