Lake County Crime & Safety

Lake County, South Dakota

Safety Score

68/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

749.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

116.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

633.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

68/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#45

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lake County, South Dakota

Strong Safety Scores in Lake County

Lake County reports a safety score of 98.8, aligning it perfectly with the South Dakota average. Its total crime rate of 749.5 per 100K is less than a third of the national average.

Aligning with South Dakota Norms

The county's total crime rate of 749.5 per 100K is slightly better than the state average of 788.1. Lake County matches the state average safety score of 98.8 exactly.

Middle Ground for the Region

Lake County sits in a middle bracket compared to its neighbors, with more activity than Hutchinson but less than Lawrence. Two reporting agencies track these local public safety trends.

Focus on Property Crime

Violent crime rates are recorded at 116.0 per 100K, while property crime is higher at 633.5 per 100K. This indicates that roughly 85% of reported crimes are non-violent in nature.

Safeguard Your Property

Since property crime is the primary concern, residents should secure outbuildings and vehicles. Installing a doorbell camera is a simple way to increase home security in Lake County.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lake County, SD?

Lake County has a total crime rate of 749.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (116.0 per 100K) and property crimes (633.5 per 100K).

Is Lake County, SD safe?

Lake County has a safety score of 68/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #45 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

The county's total crime rate of 749.5 per 100K is slightly better than the state average of 788.1. Lake County matches the state average safety score of 98.8 exactly.

What types of crime are most common in Lake County?

Violent crime rates are recorded at 116.0 per 100K, while property crime is higher at 633.5 per 100K. This indicates that roughly 85% of reported crimes are non-violent in nature.

How is crime data measured and reported for Lake County?

Crime data for Lake 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 Lake County?

Lake County has a safety score of 68/100, 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.