Polk County Crime & Safety

Polk County, Minnesota

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1040.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

215.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

825.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

State avg 58/100

State Safety Rank

#53

of 87 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Polk County, Minnesota

Polk County Safety Surpasses National Trends

Polk County achieves a safety score of 98.4, indicating it is safer than the majority of U.S. counties. Its total crime rate of 1,040.8 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Strong Standing in the North Star State

Polk's safety score of 98.4 exceeds the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Across five reporting agencies, the county demonstrates consistent success in maintaining public order and safety.

Polk Compared to Its Neighbors

Polk County's crime rate of 1,040.8 per 100K is much lower than Pennington's rate of 1,793.5. It provides a safer alternative to many nearby jurisdictions while still maintaining active urban centers.

Breakdown of Violent and Property Crime

The local violent crime rate is 215.2 per 100K, well below the national average. Property crime sits at 825.6, suggesting that theft and burglary occur far less frequently than in typical American counties.

Maintaining a Secure Property

Residents should continue to use basic home security measures to keep property crime low. Community engagement and transparent reporting help keep Polk County safer than the state average.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Polk County, MN?

Polk County has a total crime rate of 1040.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (215.2 per 100K) and property crimes (825.6 per 100K).

Is Polk County, MN safe?

Polk County has a safety score of 54/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #53 out of 87 counties in Minnesota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Polk County crime compare to the Minnesota average?

Polk's safety score of 98.4 exceeds the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Across five reporting agencies, the county demonstrates consistent success in maintaining public order and safety.

What types of crime are most common in Polk County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Polk County?

Crime data for Polk 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 Polk County?

Polk County has a safety score of 54/100, 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.