Brown County Crime & Safety

Brown County, South Dakota

Safety Score

33/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1572.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

316.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1256.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

33/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#56

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Brown County, South Dakota

Brown County's National Safety Standing

Brown County reports a total crime rate of 1572.7 per 100K, which is safer than the U.S. average of 2,385.5. This results in a respectable safety score of 97.5.

Ranking Below the State Average

The county's safety score of 97.5 is lower than the South Dakota average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 1572.7 is roughly double the state average of 788.1.

Safety Relative to Brookings County

Brown County's crime rate of 1572.7 is higher than Brookings County's 1158.0. As a regional center, Brown County experiences more frequent law enforcement activity than its smaller neighbors.

Property vs Violent Crime Rates

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1256.6 per 100K, while violent crime is reported at 316.1. Both figures stay below the national averages, though they are high for South Dakota.

Deterring Property Crime at Home

With property crime as the primary local concern, visible security measures like cameras can be very effective. Community vigilance is key to bringing these rates closer to the state average.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Brown County, SD?

Brown County has a total crime rate of 1572.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (316.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1256.6 per 100K).

Is Brown County, SD safe?

Brown County has a safety score of 33/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #56 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Brown County crime compare to the South Dakota average?

The county's safety score of 97.5 is lower than the South Dakota average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 1572.7 is roughly double the state average of 788.1.

What types of crime are most common in Brown County?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1256.6 per 100K, while violent crime is reported at 316.1. Both figures stay below the national averages, though they are high for South Dakota.

How is crime data measured and reported for Brown County?

Crime data for Brown 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 Brown County?

Brown County has a safety score of 33/100, which is below the South Dakota average of 73/100. 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.