Lake County Crime & Safety

Lake County, Minnesota

Safety Score

80/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

485.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

100.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

384.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

80/100

Higher = safer

State avg 58/100

State Safety Rank

#24

of 87 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lake County, Minnesota

High safety on the North Shore

Lake County earns an impressive safety score of 99.2, far exceeding national safety trends. The total crime rate of 485.6 per 100K is approximately 80% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Beating the Minnesota average

Lake County’s crime rate is less than half of the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100K. Its safety score of 99.2 is significantly better than the state's average score of 98.2.

Safer than its northern neighbors

Lake County is notably safer than Koochiching County, which reports a crime rate of 1,267.4 per 100K. The county maintains high safety standards even with heavy seasonal tourism activity.

Violent crime is extremely low

The violent crime rate of 100.8 per 100K is much lower than the national rate of 369.8. Most law enforcement activity involves property crime, which occurs at a rate of 384.8 per 100K.

Secure your North Shore home

Property crime accounts for nearly 80% of local reports, so securing vacation rentals and homes is essential. Simple measures like alarm systems can help maintain this county's quiet reputation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lake County, MN?

Lake County has a total crime rate of 485.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (100.8 per 100K) and property crimes (384.8 per 100K).

Is Lake County, MN safe?

Lake County has a safety score of 80/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #24 out of 87 counties in Minnesota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Lake County crime compare to the Minnesota average?

Lake County’s crime rate is less than half of the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100K. Its safety score of 99.2 is significantly better than the state's average score of 98.2.

What types of crime are most common in Lake County?

The violent crime rate of 100.8 per 100K is much lower than the national rate of 369.8. Most law enforcement activity involves property crime, which occurs at a rate of 384.8 per 100K.

How is crime data measured and reported for Lake County?

Crime data for Lake 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.

Why is Lake County safer than the Minnesota average?

Lake County has a safety score of 80/100, which is above the Minnesota average of 58/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.