Is Sioux Falls or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Sioux Falls (Safety Score 62/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100,000 versus 3,442 for Sioux Falls — 61% lower. Sioux Falls has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Sioux Falls is 9.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls, SD
Watertown, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Sioux Falls | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,442.0 | 1,328.1 | +2,113.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 526.7 | 303.2 | +223.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 64.1 | -36.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.4 | 0.0 | +47.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 444.7 | 239.1 | +205.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,915.2 | 1,024.9 | +1,890.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.0 | 68.3 | +234.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,174.7 | 888.2 | +1,286.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 437.6 | 68.3 | +369.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sioux Falls or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100K vs 3,442 for Sioux Falls — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Sioux Falls has a violent crime rate of 526.7 per 100K while Watertown has 303.2. Watertown has lower violent crime.
About Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Watertown, SD
Watertown, named for its many lakes, is a regional hub in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Terry Redlin's art center, the city has a population of around 23,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 23,417, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,328.1 per 100,000 residents.