Butte County Crime & Safety

Butte County, South Dakota

Safety Score

60/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

916.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

135.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

781.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

60/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#51

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Butte County, South Dakota

Butte County Ranks High for National Safety

Butte County earns a high safety score of 98.6 out of 100, far exceeding national trends. Its total crime rate of 916.2 per 100,000 residents is roughly 60% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Tracking Close to the South Dakota Average

The county's safety score sits just below the South Dakota state average of 98.8. With a total crime rate of 916.2, Butte County is slightly more active than the state average of 788.1 per 100,000 people.

A Secure Choice Among Regional Peers

Butte County remains a safe regional hub compared to many national counterparts. While its crime rate is higher than some neighboring rural counties, it maintains a strong safety profile across its two reporting agencies.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for 781.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, while the violent crime rate is 135.0. This means the vast majority of law enforcement activity involves non-violent theft or vandalism rather than person-to-person crime.

Simple Steps to Deter Local Property Crime

With property crime as the primary local concern, visible security measures like motion-sensor lights can make a big difference. Keeping vehicles and outbuildings locked remains the most effective way to protect your property in Butte County.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Butte County, SD?

Butte County has a total crime rate of 916.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (135.0 per 100K) and property crimes (781.2 per 100K).

Is Butte County, SD safe?

Butte County has a safety score of 60/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #51 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Butte County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Butte County?

Crime data for Butte 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 Butte County?

Butte County has a safety score of 60/100, 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.