Is Rapid City or Vermillion Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vermillion is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 61/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 70% lower. Rapid City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Vermillion has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 6.7x 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
Vermillion — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City, SD
Vermillion, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rapid City | Vermillion | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.0 | 1,346.0 | +3,170.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 723.8 | 181.7 | +542.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 0.0 | +6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 135.9 | 49.6 | +86.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 103.8 | 0.0 | +103.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.1 | 132.1 | +341.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,792.1 | 1,164.3 | +2,627.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.4 | 49.6 | +377.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,986.8 | 982.7 | +2,004.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.0 | 132.1 | +245.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City or Vermillion safer?
Vermillion is safer with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 723.8 per 100K while Vermillion has 181.7. Vermillion 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 Vermillion, SD
Vermillion, home to the University of South Dakota, is a small city in southeastern South Dakota, near the Missouri River. Its population of around 11,000 is largely influenced by the university. The National Music Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, is a prominent cultural institution. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 12,110, Vermillion has a total crime rate of 1,346.0 per 100,000 residents.