Is St. Paul or Willmar Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Willmar is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 49/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,731 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 50% lower. St. Paul has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Willmar has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Paul is 14.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Willmar — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Paul, MN
Willmar, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Paul | Willmar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,452.1 | 1,730.7 | +1,721.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 618.0 | 438.5 | +179.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.6 | 0.0 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 65.8 | 130.6 | -64.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 119.1 | 4.7 | +114.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 424.3 | 303.2 | +121.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,834.1 | 1,292.2 | +1,541.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 468.3 | 112.0 | +356.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,883.6 | 1,100.9 | +782.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 482.2 | 79.3 | +402.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Paul or Willmar safer?
Willmar is safer with a total crime rate of 1,731 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Paul has a violent crime rate of 618.0 per 100K while Willmar has 438.5. Willmar has lower violent crime.
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.
About Willmar, MN
Willmar, a regional hub in west-central Minnesota, boasts a strong agricultural heritage and is home to a significant immigrant population, particularly from Somalia. Situated on the beautiful shores of Foot Lake, its economy thrives on food processing and retail. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 21,437, Willmar has a total crime rate of 1,730.7 per 100,000 residents.