Hand County Crime & Safety

Hand County, South Dakota

Safety Score

92/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

130.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

65.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

65.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

92/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#18

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Hand County, South Dakota

Hand County Boasts Elite Safety Stats

Hand County reports an impressively low crime rate of 130.0 per 100,000 residents. This is a mere fraction of the national average of 2,385.5. With a safety score of 99.8, the county is one of the most secure in the United States.

Hand County Outranks State Safety Average

The county's safety score of 99.8 exceeds the South Dakota state average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 130.0 is also far superior to the state average of 788.1 per 100,000 people. Two reporting agencies verify these quiet local conditions.

Safer Than Most Nearby Counties

Hand County is notably safer than Hamlin County, which has a crime rate of 435.7. It also outperforms Gregory County’s rate of 301.3. For residents, this means living in one of the most tranquil spots in the regional map.

Even Split Between Crime Types

Both violent and property crimes sit at a very low 65.0 per 100,000 residents. To put this in perspective, the national property crime rate is over 30 times higher at 2,015.7. Total crime incidents in Hand County are exceptionally rare.

Preserving Peace in Hand County

With such low numbers, community awareness is your best tool for staying safe. Reporting unusual activity helps local agencies maintain this high level of security. Simple home lighting can deter the rare opportunistic property crime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Hand County, SD?

Hand County has a total crime rate of 130.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (65.0 per 100K) and property crimes (65.0 per 100K).

Is Hand County, SD safe?

Hand County has a safety score of 92/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #18 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Hand County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Hand County?

Crime data for Hand 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 Hand County safer than the South Dakota average?

Hand County has a safety score of 92/100, which is above the South Dakota average of 73/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.