Is Rapid City or Spearfish Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spearfish is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,087 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 54% lower. Rapid City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spearfish 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.
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spearfish — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City, SD
Spearfish, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rapid City | Spearfish | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.0 | 2,086.8 | +2,429.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 723.8 | 263.6 | +460.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 0.0 | +6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 135.9 | 102.5 | +33.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 103.8 | 14.6 | +89.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.1 | 146.5 | +326.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,792.1 | 1,823.2 | +1,968.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.4 | 168.4 | +259.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,986.8 | 1,545.0 | +1,441.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.0 | 109.8 | +268.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City or Spearfish safer?
Spearfish is safer with a total crime rate of 2,087 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 723.8 per 100K while Spearfish has 263.6. Spearfish has lower violent crime.
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.
About Spearfish, SD
Spearfish, nestled in the northern Black Hills, is home to Black Hills State University. Its population of around 12,000 enjoys proximity to Spearfish Canyon, a scenic byway. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 13,657, Spearfish has a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents.