7 Safest Small Communities To Settle In South Dakota

As far as violent crime goes, South Dakota sits somewhere in the middle of the rest of the states. Upon closer examination, an interesting observation emerges about the most dangerous cities in the state. Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Wagner, often noted as being most hazardous for violent crime, are all at opposite ends of the state from one another. Rapid City experiences about double the rate of the statewide average of violent crime. Despite this staggering number, South Dakota is not an unsafe place. Violent crime rates are 4% lower than the national average elsewhere in the United States, according to one recent analysis of FBI data. Let’s take a closer look at the safest places to settle in South Dakota.

Brandon

Brandon is known for providing an environment that supports its citizens to build a better life for themselves. This reputation is reflected in the local crime rates over the last five years. Aggravated assault levels have remained lower than the state and national average for the most part, other than a spike in 2023. As for homicide, Brandon has no recorded occurrences within the last five years.

Outdoor recreation thrives at the Big Sioux Recreation Area, situated on the Big Sioux River, and welcomes visitors to enjoy hiking, canoeing, and riverside campgrounds. For cultural experiences, travel to nearby Sioux Falls for the Washington Pavilion to wander through art galleries, science exhibits, and theater performances. Tailgators is a staple restaurant in town, suitable for any occasion, whether it be a family dinner, a wedding, or a special event.

Tea

Tea is just minutes away from South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls, offering small-town charm with the added bonus of proximity to the amenities a big city has to offer. In the last five years, the only occurrences of homicide were in 2024. Outside of that spike, the rates sat consistently at zero. As for aggravated assault, rates have mostly been below or on par with the state and national averages, with only a couple of minor spikes in the last five years when Tea’s rates rose slightly above.

In this small town, Squealer’s Smoke Shack is a popular barbecue restaurant serving smoked meats and homemade sides. Tea City Park keeps residents active with a variety of features, including a swimming pool, basketball courts, bike trails, and opportunities to picnic and use the fishing pond. The Butterfly House and Aquarium is located between Sioux Falls and Tea, and is one of a handful of butterfly houses in the country that are open year-round.

Madison

Madison is located in southeast South Dakota in Lake County, situated between Lake Madison and Lake Herman. People interested in settling here will be comforted knowing that in the last five years, there have been no homicides. Aggravated assault levels have experienced a few minor spikes throughout the previous five years, but have mostly been below or on par with state and national levels.

Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate being close to Lake Herman State Park, where they can indulge in activities such as hiking, camping, disc golf, swimming, fishing, and boating. Prairie Village is adjacent to Lake Herman and features a 120-acre park that comprises 40 restored buildings that resemble a turn-of-the-century main street. Memorial Park is a cornerstone of the community, equipped with a children’s playground, a gazebo, and open space for gatherings.

Mobridge

Mobridge is a small, family-friendly town situated on the banks of the Missouri River, offering a unique blend of local experiences and activities alongside a low violent crime rate. There have been no occurrences of homicide within the last five years, and aggravated assault levels have remained below or straddled the same level as state and national levels. However, there have been a few spikes where Mobridge’s assault levels have been higher than both state and national levels.

Indian Creek Recreation Area has 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails and occasional wildlife viewing, from deer on land to beavers in the river. The Klein Museum provides expansive insight into the history of the Mobridge area, including Native American heritage. Legion Memorial Park is located in town and has restrooms, ball fields, and an aquatic center.

Canton

For the residents of Lincoln County, Canton plays an integral role in providing services, entertainment, employment and education. Violent crime in Canton has been historically low, with no recorded occurrences of homicide in the last five years.

For visitors and residents, Newton Hills State Park is six miles south of Canton and is packed full of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, birdwatching, horseback riding, and more. The Canton Depot Museum showcases and preserves artifacts related to the town’s extensive railroad history. Sioux Valley Grille features popular homemade dishes including burgers, sandwiches, and desserts.

Brookings

Brookings is a small city in eastern South Dakota with an even smaller crime rate. The last five years have saw no occurrences of homicide, and, aggravated assault has remained continually lower than state and national levels, only ever rising to be on par with them and never exceeding.

McCrory Gardens is a well-maintained botanical garden featuring a 45-acre arboretum, showcasing a variety of blooms and scenery that change with the seasons. The South Dakota Art Museum has seven galleries, four of which showcase permanent exhibits, while the other three are rotating. Together, they collectively display more than 7,000 pieces of art. Dakota Nature Park spans 135 acres, best known for its water-based activities, including kayaking, fishing, and canoeing.

North Sioux City

Like many places on this list, North Sioux City is close to a larger city, Sioux City, but far enough away to avoid the drama that comes with it. Over the last five years, rates have remained mostly below or at the same level as state and national rates, except for a couple of significant spikes in 2023. Homicide rates, however, have always remained historically low.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve spans 1,500 acres along the Missouri River. It is open year-round, where visitors enjoy hiking and biking in the summer, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Similarly, McCook Lake has a paved, four-mile-long walking trail along the lake and through the suburban area of the city. For a night out on the town, Skyline Bar and Casino has hand-crafted cocktails to sip on and bar snacks to pick at.

Safety in South Dakota

While South Dakota's crime rate may fluctuate depending on the location within the state, it is performing better than some of its neighbors. With a population of under one million, South Dakota’s crime rates are influenced more by a single crime than those of other, more populous states. One thing is for sure, though: these towns on the list are the seven safest small communities to settle in South Dakota.