Harding County Crime & Safety

Harding County, South Dakota

Safety Score

98/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

0.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

0.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

0.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

98/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Harding County, South Dakota

Harding County Achieves Perfect Safety Rating

Harding County reports zero crimes per 100,000 residents, resulting in a safety score of 100.0. This is significantly lower than the national average crime rate of 2,385.5. A single reporting agency provides the data for this frontier county.

Leading South Dakota in Public Safety

Harding County outpaces the state average safety score of 98.8 with its perfect 100.0 rating. While the average South Dakota county reports 788.1 crimes per 100,000, Harding reports none. It remains one of the quietest corners of the state.

Comparing Harding to Its Rural Peers

Harding County shares a 0.0 crime rate with counties like Hanson and Haakon. It is vastly quieter than Hughes County, which reports 1,875.1 crimes per 100,000 people. The county’s remote location likely contributes to its minimal crime profile.

Zero Violent or Property Crime Reports

Data shows 0.0 violent crimes and 0.0 property crimes per 100,000 residents for the 2022 year. This indicates that no qualifying crimes were reported by the local agency to the national database. The community remains a model of documented safety.

Protecting Your Home on the Frontier

In low-population areas, being a good neighbor is your best security system. Keep an eye on nearby properties and ensure your own home is well-lit at night. These simple habits help maintain Harding County’s record-breaking safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Harding County, SD?

Harding County has a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (0.0 per 100K) and property crimes (0.0 per 100K).

Is Harding County, SD safe?

Harding County has a safety score of 98/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #6 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Harding County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Harding County?

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

Harding County has a safety score of 98/100, 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.