Is Pierre or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pierre is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 28/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,496 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 45% lower. Pierre has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pierre has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pierre — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pierre, SD
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pierre | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,496.0 | 4,516.0 | -2,020.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 506.4 | 723.8 | -217.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 72.4 | 135.9 | -63.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.2 | 103.8 | -96.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 426.9 | 473.1 | -46.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,989.6 | 3,792.1 | -1,802.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 238.8 | 427.4 | -188.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,541.0 | 2,986.8 | -1,445.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 209.8 | 378.0 | -168.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pierre or Rapid City safer?
Pierre is safer with a total crime rate of 2,496 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pierre has a violent crime rate of 506.4 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Pierre has lower violent crime.
About Pierre, SD
Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, sits on the Missouri River. Its economy is largely driven by state government and agriculture. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,091. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 13,822, Pierre has a total crime rate of 2,496.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.