Potter County Crime & Safety

Potter County, South Dakota

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

154.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

0.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

154.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#21

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Potter County, South Dakota

Potter County Ranks Among the Safest

Potter County features a total crime rate of 154.6 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 99.8 reflects a very secure community. Residents enjoy a level of safety that is rare in many other parts of the country.

Setting a High Standard in South Dakota

The county's safety score of 99.8 is well above the South Dakota state average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 154.6 is roughly five times lower than the state average of 788.1. These numbers place Potter County among the most peaceful jurisdictions in the state.

Leading Its Neighbors in Public Safety

Potter County has a lower crime rate than Perkins County (168.3) and Moody County (803.7). It remains a quiet outlier even compared to other rural parts of the state. This low activity level highlights the effectiveness of local safety efforts.

Crime is Exclusively Property Based

Violent crime in Potter County is recorded at 0.0 per 100,000 residents. The entire crime rate of 154.6 consists of property crimes, such as theft or vandalism. This means violent threats are statistically non-existent in the reported data.

Guarding Against Occasional Property Theft

Since property crime is the only reported issue, focusing on home security is a smart move. Motion-sensor lights and reinforced locks can further reduce the risk of minor thefts. Staying alert helps ensure that Potter County's violent crime rate stays at zero.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Potter County, SD?

Potter County has a total crime rate of 154.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (0.0 per 100K) and property crimes (154.6 per 100K).

Is Potter County, SD safe?

Potter 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 #21 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Potter County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Potter County?

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

Potter 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.