We all know that Minnesota is a beautiful state with fantastic people, but with every good quality there has to be at least one bad thing that evens it out. This list of the nine most dangerous places in Minnesota points a few of those out. While they’re all dangerous, the majority are related not to acts of humans, but to natural disasters and unfortunate accidents. That is, most of these may be prevented with extra caution and preparation.

1. U.S. Highway 14
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Since the recent addition of the barrier on the notorious Highway 12, U.S. 14 may step up to take the dubious honor of most dangerous highway in Minnesota. Some experts say a lack of dividers, limited opportunities to pass, and blind intersections make the road a frequent location for head-on collisions.
2. Mississippi River
flickr/Joe Passe
The Mississippi River makes it onto this list because of the number of ice-related deaths that occurred in the river between 1976 and 2015 based on this report by Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources. Those 11 deaths occurred when victims broke through the ice - often on foot or while ice fishing.
3. Lake Minnetonka
Richard Yuan/Flickr
Lake Minnetonka tied with the Mississippi River for 11 ice-related deaths between 1976 and 2015. The difference is that unlike the Mississippi River accidents, the majority of those on Lake Minnetonka happened after a car or snowmobile broke through the ice. Both are unfortunate reminders that as much as we love winter in Minnesota, the season does come with risk.
4. Otter Tail County
NOAA Photo Library/Flickr
Otter Tail County experienced by far the most tornadoes between 1950 and 2012. With a whopping 64 tornadoes, Otter Tail County outshines the next-highest count - Polk County with 57 tornadoes - with seven additional twisters. Tornadoes can strike anywhere, but it's great to be aware of where they're most common.

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5. Minneapolis
Matthew Paulson/Flickr
In 2016, Minneapolis was ranked the 25th most dangerous city in the United States, making it an obvious choice for this list. The city's violent crime rate was 1,063 incidents per 100,000 people, and it was ranked 10th in the nation for robbery. Though things can look alarming when you view the city only through statistics, the City of Lakes is a lovely place to spend a day.
6. MN-15 and Highway 23 in St. Cloud
Google Maps
Minnesota's most dangerous intersection is in St. Cloud. It was reported that this busy spot in the Granite City had 251 total incidents in 2012. That number includes one fatality, two severe injuries, 76 minor or moderate injuries, and 172 instances of property damage. Whatever you do, be vigilant when you cross this intersection.
7. Sibley County
Adam/Flickr
In 2010, it was noted that in Sibley County, 26.5% of bridges are deficient. While the bridges in that county may not be the most structurally deficient overall - Ramsey County owns many of those in most dire need of repair - the likelihood of driving over a deficient bridge is definitely higher in Sibley County.
8. 26th Street & Hiawatha Avenue
Google Maps
This intersection has been identified as one of the most dangerous for bicyclists. Why? Because while in the intersection, cyclists have multiple dangers to look out for. The multi-lane roads, coupled with the nearby light rail, make it a challenging spot for anyone on two wheels.
9. Lake Street/Midtown Light Rail Station
Tony Webster/Flickr
Many Twin Cities residents love the light rain for its convenience in conveying them between both downtowns. However, that convenience comes with a risk. For example, some light rail stations have become targets for criminal activity. The Lake Street Station experiences the most crime, based on a 2015 report by WCCO. A massive 858 incidents were reported in just six months at this station alone. That doesn't account for the hundreds of other incidents at different stations across the cities. While it is still safe to ride the rails, make sure you keep your wits about you.

Does anything on this list surprise you? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

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most dangerous places in minnesota

Jennifer Young | February 17, 2022

What are three of the most dangerous places to avoid in Minnesota?

1. Lester River - Lester River is home to several swimming holes. While most are safe, The Deeps is a swimming hole that's also a popular cliff jumping spot. If you visit this swimming hole, you'll definitely want to use caution.

2. St. Louis River - The St. Louis River has some of the toughest rapids in Minnesota. The river's water levels also change frequently, so there's no way to really predict how rough the rapids will be.

3. Icy Lakes - It's no secret that Minnesota receives a lot of snow and ice every year. Whenever you see ice, especially frozen lakes, you'll want to avoid it at all costs. No ice is 100% safe, so be sure to stay off of it.

What are the 10 most dangerous cities in Minnesota?

Based on FBI data from 2019, the following are 10 of Minnesota's most dangerous cities:

1. Minneapolis - Minneapolis was Minnesota's most dangerous city in 2019. The city had 3,990 violent crime reports and a population size of 431,016.

2. St. Paul - St. Paul had 1,752 violent crime reports and a population size of 310,263.

3. Brooklyn Park - Brooklyn Park had 299 violent crime reports and a population size of 81,211.

4. St. Cloud - Minnesota's 4th most dangerous city was St. Cloud. The city had 298 violent crime reports and a population size of 68,311.

5. Duluth - Duluth had 292 violent crime reports and a population size of 85,846.

6. Rochester - Rochester was Minnesota's 6th most dangerous city in 2019. The city had 254 violent crime reports and a population size of 118,267.

7. Bloomington - Bloomington had 203 violent crime reports and a population size of 85,902.

8. Maplewood - Minnesota's 8th most dangerous city was Maplewood. The city had 158 violent crime reports and a population size of 41,341.

9. Mankato - Mankato had 110 violent crime reports and a population size of 42,955.

10. Brooklyn Center - Brooklyn Center had 108 violent crime reports and a population size of 31,000.

 

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