Overall, South Dakota is a truly wonderful place to raise a family, but it is true that some areas are safer than others. In fact, we are home to a few towns and cities where you might want to be extra aware of your surroundings after dark. To make this list of the towns and cities that are statistically more crime-ridden, we took a look at a Road Snacks list complied according to their research of FBI crime data, as well as neighborhoodscout.com. Using this information, we put together our own list of the most dangerous places in South Dakota.

10. Watertown
Watertown, SD 57201, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
This medium-sized city is the 5th largest in South Dakota. Though residents have a 1 in 260 chance of being a victim of violence (compared to the state average of 1 in 261), they have a 1 in 36 chance of being a victim of property crime (compared to the state average of 1 in 51). Read more about Watertown.
9. Pierre
Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Jeffrey Beall / Flickr
Pierre has seen a 21% reduction of theft in arson from 2011 to 2013, but they warrant a position on this list with a recent 19% rise in violent crime. Learn more about Pierre.
8. Martin
Martin, SD 57551, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
As the tiniest community to make the list at 1,071 residents, Martin’s instances of violent crimes have more than doubled in recent years while the property crime rate more than quadrupled. There are plenty of nice things about Martin too, though. If you decide to visit, check out this fun place to stay in Martin, South Dakota.
7. Yankton
Yankton, SD 57078, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Yankton residents have a 1 in 38 chance of being the victim of property crime and a 1 in 260 chance of being the victim of a violent crime. Though a lovely town along the Missouri River, Yankton’s recent increase in crime warrants them a place on this list of dangerous towns in South Dakota. Find out more about Yankton.
6. Sisseton
Sisseton, SD 57262, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Property crime rates may have decreased in recent years, but violent crime rates have increased by 58%, ranking Sisseton at number 6 on our list. If you are heading to Sisseton to see some of its cooler and safer places, be sure to check out Fort Sisseton.

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5. Mitchell
Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
Jena Fuller / Flickr
Home to the World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell is a popular town among tourists. Yet, with a recent 18% rise in property crime and 43% in violent crime, Mitchell ranks as the 5th most dangerous place in our state. See more about Mitchell, South Dakota.
4. Huron
Huron, SD 57350, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Huron’s residents love their low cost of living, but this relatively small community is the 4th most dangerous place to live in our state. This 12,956 population town has experienced a massive influx of violent crime, increasing by 34% in just a one-year period between 2012 and 2013. Read more about Huron.
3. Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Ian Reimuth / Flickr
With a population of 164,676 residents, it’s really no surprise that Sioux Falls easily makes this list and packs a punch in terms of crime statistics. Between 2011 and 2013, the instances of violent crimes increased by 45%. In the past year, there were 89 crimes per square mile in Sioux Falls compared to the state average of 15 crimes per square mile. You can learn more about this town on the Sioux Falls official website.
2. Rapid City
Rapid City, SD, USA
Travis / Flickr
While Rapid City is a beautiful area, it’s not known for its safe neighborhoods. You have a 1 in 149 of being a victim of a violent crime in Rapid City, compared to a 1 in 261 chance in the overall state. It does contain some dangerous places to avoid in South Dakota. Check out more about Rapid City.
1. Chamberlain
Chamberlain, SD 57325, USA
Jennifer Lamb / Flickr
Chamberlain (population 2,386) may seem like a quaint little community, but it’s actually the most dangerous place in South Dakota. While their unemployment rate is quite low, they have seen a recent growth in violent crime and property crime. In fact, this city is so dangerous that Chamberlain residents had a 1 in 25 chance of being the victim of theft or arson in 2013. Learn more about Chamberlain.

Were you surprised to see any of these towns or cities on this list? Many of them are probably not widely considered truly dangerous places in South Dakota, because if you know which areas to avoid, they can also be some of the most beautiful to visit.

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More to Explore

Most Dangerous Places in South Dakota

Danielle Schwartz | June 18, 2022

Are there any haunted places in South Dakota?

Yes, there are plenty of haunted places in South Dakota for you to explore. In fact, there are enough of them that we’ve put together a creepy road trip through the state for you to take if you’re feeling brave! The trip includes a foray into Spirit Mound in Vermillion, which is supposedly haunted by small, odd-looking men. Hotel Alex Johnson is another highlight of this trip. You’ll undoubtedly come back a believer in ghosts, even if you aren’t yet.

Are there any urban legends in South Dakota?

Yes, there are lots of fascinating urban legends in South Dakota. The legend of the ghost in the Orpheum theater is particularly interesting, as the ghost of a man murdered by a jealous husband still haunts the halls, but brings performers luck and whistles cheerful tunes. The legend of Jesse James at Devil’s Gulch is another cool story. The legend goes that Jesse James and his horse jumped over a 20-foot wide ravine, which is impossible to imagine, but supposedly it’s true!

Can I visit any abandoned places in South Dakota?

There are several abandoned places in South Dakota that you can visit. You just might feel like the only person in the world in these fascinating spots. In Capa, a ghost town that has long been empty, you can check out an abandoned home that stands alone in a field. If you’re interested in the homestead days, head to Bear Butte and see a prairie home that was once full of families who were on a great adventure.

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