Dakota County Crime & Safety

Dakota County, Minnesota

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1928.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

189.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1738.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

State avg 58/100

State Safety Rank

#79

of 87 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dakota County, Minnesota

Safety in Dakota County

Dakota County reports a safety score of 97.0, placing it above the national average for security. While its crime rate of 1,928.4 per 100K is higher than some rural areas, it remains below the national average of 2,385.5.

Statewide Safety Comparisons

Dakota sits below the statewide safety average of 98.2 and exceeds the state crime rate average of 1,123.5. As a populous area, it experiences more frequent incidents than rural Minnesota counterparts.

How Dakota Compares Locally

Dakota's crime rate of 1,928.4 is notably higher than Dodge County's rate of 603.1. However, it maintains a lower crime footprint than many comparable metropolitan hubs across the country.

Property and Violent Crimes

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 1,738.7 per 100K residents. The violent crime rate stands at 189.7 per 100K, which is higher than the state average of 153.0 but below the national level.

Proactive Home Defense

Because property crime is the most frequent issue, home security systems and proper lighting are vital tools. Communities that look out for one another help keep Dakota County safe and secure.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Dakota County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Dakota County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dakota County, MN?

Dakota County has a total crime rate of 1928.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (189.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1738.7 per 100K).

Is Dakota County, MN safe?

Dakota County has a safety score of 24/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #79 out of 87 counties in Minnesota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dakota County crime compare to the Minnesota average?

What types of crime are most common in Dakota County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Dakota County?

Crime data for Dakota County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Dakota County?

Dakota County has a safety score of 24/100, which is below the Minnesota average of 58/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.