Perkins County Crime & Safety

Perkins County, South Dakota

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

168.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

101.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

67.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#22

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Perkins County, South Dakota

Perkins County Maintains High Safety Marks

Perkins County boasts a safety score of 99.7, far exceeding the national norm. Its total crime rate of 168.3 per 100,000 is 93% lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data suggests an exceptionally safe environment for the local community.

Outperforming State Averages in Public Safety

The county's crime rate of 168.3 is much lower than the South Dakota state average of 788.1. With a safety score of 99.7, it ranks significantly higher than the state average of 98.8. Only a single agency reports here, so these numbers represent a specific snapshot of local law enforcement.

Low Crime Rates in the Region

Perkins County is much safer than its distant neighbor Pennington, where the crime rate reaches 3,417.1. Its rate is very similar to nearby Sanborn County, which reports 168.6 incidents per 100,000. This consistency points to a quiet safety profile across rural South Dakota.

Violent Incidents Outnumber Property Crimes

Violent crime is reported at 101.0 per 100,000, while property crime is lower at 67.3. While violent crime makes up the majority of the local rate, it remains well below the national violent crime average of 369.8. Most residents will rarely encounter either category of crime.

Simple Steps for Continued Security

Property crime rates are extremely low, but residents should still practice basic security habits. Locking doors and keeping valuables out of sight can prevent opportunistic thefts. Your active participation helps maintain the county's reputation as a safe place to live.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Perkins County, SD?

Perkins County has a total crime rate of 168.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (101.0 per 100K) and property crimes (67.3 per 100K).

Is Perkins County, SD safe?

Perkins County has a safety score of 91/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #22 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Perkins County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Perkins County?

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

Perkins County has a safety score of 91/100, 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.