Dakota County Crime & Safety

Dakota County, Nebraska

Safety Score

17/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2266.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

178.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2088.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

17/100

Higher = safer

State avg 74/100

State Safety Rank

#89

of 93 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dakota County, Nebraska

Dakota County Tracks Near National Average

Dakota County reports a total crime rate of 2,266.7 per 100,000, which is just slightly below the national average of 2,385.5. Despite being busier than its neighbors, it still maintains a safety score of 96.4.

Higher Crime Density Than State Average

The county faces more challenges than the typical Nebraska community, as its crime rate is over three times the state average of 626.7. Its 96.4 safety score sits below the 99.0 state average.

Regional Comparison Shows Higher Activity

Dakota County has the highest crime rate among this group of eight counties. It experiences significantly more activity than peaceful neighbors like Cuming and Colfax.

Property Crime is the Main Local Factor

Property crime occurs at 2,088.4 per 100,000, which slightly exceeds the national average of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 178.3 is less than half the national figure of 369.8.

Essential Home Security for Dakota Residents

Higher property crime rates make home security and community watch programs essential. Visible deterrents can significantly lower the risk of becoming a statistic in Dakota County.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dakota County, NE?

Dakota County has a total crime rate of 2266.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (178.3 per 100K) and property crimes (2088.4 per 100K).

Is Dakota County, NE safe?

Dakota County has a safety score of 17/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #89 out of 93 counties in Nebraska for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dakota County crime compare to the Nebraska average?

The county faces more challenges than the typical Nebraska community, as its crime rate is over three times the state average of 626.7. Its 96.4 safety score sits below the 99.0 state average.

What types of crime are most common in Dakota County?

Property crime occurs at 2,088.4 per 100,000, which slightly exceeds the national average of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 178.3 is less than half the national figure of 369.8.

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 17/100, which is below the Nebraska average of 74/100. 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.