Most Dangerous & Safest Counties in South Dakota
South Dakota has 5 counties with crime data. The county with the highest homicide rate is Oglala Lakota County at 40.6 per 100K , while the safest is Minnehaha County at 4.0 per 100K .
3 of 5 counties (60%) have a homicide rate above the national average of 8 per 100K. All rates are per 100,000 residents and come from County Health Rankings, which compiles data from the CDC, FBI, and other federal sources.
Metric
South Dakota — Homicide Rate by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates. All values are estimates subject to margin of error.
3.96 7.62 15.32 24.46 40.64 40.64
No data
South Dakota — Firearm Fatalities by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates. All values are estimates subject to margin of error.
7.77 10.04 14.11 21.35 29.41 40.59
No data
South Dakota — Drug Overdose Deaths by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates. All values are estimates subject to margin of error.
7.43 9.39 12.57 15.23 15.33 26.72
No data
South Dakota — Suicide Rate by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates. All values are estimates subject to margin of error.
7.36 14.86 22.92 26.98 55.82 155.37
No data
South Dakota — Motor Vehicle Deaths by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates. All values are estimates subject to margin of error.
7.62 12.39 19.25 29.21 45.91 86.36
No data
Most Dangerous Counties in South Dakota
Top 10 counties ranked by homicide rate.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K +408.0% | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K +205.8% | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K |
| 3 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K +91.5% | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K |
| 4 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K -4.7% | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 5 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K -50.5% | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
Safest Counties in South Dakota
Bottom 10 counties ranked by homicide rate.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K -50.5% | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 4 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K -4.7% | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 3 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K +91.5% | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K +205.8% | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K |
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K +408.0% | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
All 5 Counties Ranked
Every county in South Dakota ranked by homicide rate. Click any county for its full profile.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K +408.0% | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K +205.8% | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K |
| 3 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K +91.5% | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K |
| 4 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K -4.7% | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 5 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K -50.5% | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
Most Dangerous Counties in South Dakota
Top 10 counties ranked by firearm fatalities.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K +127.0% | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K |
| 2 | Custer County | 8.9K | — | 36.1 per 100K +101.8% | — | 27.0 per 100K | 29.2 per 100K |
| 3 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K +84.7% | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 4 | Fall River County | 7.3K | — | 29.4 per 100K +64.5% | — | 35.3 per 100K | 29.0 per 100K |
| 5 | Bon Homme County | 7.0K | — | 28.7 per 100K +60.7% | — | — | 24.6 per 100K |
| 6 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K +21.2% | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 7 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K +19.4% | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K |
| 8 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K +0.8% | — | 25.4 per 100K | 10.7 per 100K |
| 9 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K -0.4% | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 10 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K -13.0% | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
Safest Counties in South Dakota
Bottom 10 counties ranked by firearm fatalities.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K -56.5% | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K |
| 16 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K -47.8% | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K |
| 15 | Yankton County | 23.4K | — | 9.6 per 100K -46.5% | — | 7.4 per 100K | 16.8 per 100K |
| 14 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K -43.8% | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 13 | Hughes County | 17.7K | — | 11.4 per 100K -36.4% | — | 20.7 per 100K | 14.6 per 100K |
| 12 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K -27.5% | — | 16.1 per 100K | 13.2 per 100K |
| 11 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K -21.1% | — | 22.9 per 100K | 10.1 per 100K |
| 10 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K -13.0% | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
| 9 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K -0.4% | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 8 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K +0.8% | — | 25.4 per 100K | 10.7 per 100K |
All 17 Counties Ranked
Every county in South Dakota ranked by firearm fatalities. Click any county for its full profile.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K +127.0% | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K |
| 2 | Custer County | 8.9K | — | 36.1 per 100K +101.8% | — | 27.0 per 100K | 29.2 per 100K |
| 3 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K +84.7% | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 4 | Fall River County | 7.3K | — | 29.4 per 100K +64.5% | — | 35.3 per 100K | 29.0 per 100K |
| 5 | Bon Homme County | 7.0K | — | 28.7 per 100K +60.7% | — | — | 24.6 per 100K |
| 6 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K +21.2% | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 7 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K +19.4% | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K |
| 8 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K +0.8% | — | 25.4 per 100K | 10.7 per 100K |
| 9 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K -0.4% | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 10 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K -13.0% | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
| 11 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K -21.1% | — | 22.9 per 100K | 10.1 per 100K |
| 12 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K -27.5% | — | 16.1 per 100K | 13.2 per 100K |
| 13 | Hughes County | 17.7K | — | 11.4 per 100K -36.4% | — | 20.7 per 100K | 14.6 per 100K |
| 14 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K -43.8% | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 15 | Yankton County | 23.4K | — | 9.6 per 100K -46.5% | — | 7.4 per 100K | 16.8 per 100K |
| 16 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K -47.8% | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K |
| 17 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K -56.5% | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K |
Most Dangerous Counties in South Dakota
Top 10 counties ranked by drug overdose deaths.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K -17.5% | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 2 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K -52.7% | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 3 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K -53.0% | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
| 4 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K -58.6% | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 5 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K -61.2% | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 6 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K -71.0% | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K |
| 7 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K -77.1% | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K |
Safest Counties in South Dakota
Bottom 10 counties ranked by drug overdose deaths.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K -77.1% | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K |
| 6 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K -71.0% | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K |
| 5 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K -61.2% | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 4 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K -58.6% | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 3 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K -53.0% | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
| 2 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K -52.7% | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K -17.5% | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
All 7 Counties Ranked
Every county in South Dakota ranked by drug overdose deaths. Click any county for its full profile.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K -17.5% | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K |
| 2 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K -52.7% | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K |
| 3 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K -53.0% | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K |
| 4 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K -58.6% | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K |
| 5 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K -61.2% | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K |
| 6 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K -71.0% | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K |
| 7 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K -77.1% | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K |
Most Dangerous Counties in South Dakota
Top 10 counties ranked by suicide rate.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo County | 1.8K | — | — | — | 155.4 per 100K +1006.6% | 72.6 per 100K |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K +402.4% | 80.6 per 100K |
| 3 | Lyman County | 3.7K | — | — | — | 65.6 per 100K +367.2% | 40.7 per 100K |
| 4 | Corson County | 3.8K | — | — | — | 56.7 per 100K +303.7% | 45.9 per 100K |
| 5 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K +297.6% | 86.4 per 100K |
| 6 | Dewey County | 5.2K | — | — | — | 41.0 per 100K +192.2% | 68.3 per 100K |
| 7 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K +170.5% | 33.8 per 100K |
| 8 | Fall River County | 7.3K | — | 29.4 per 100K | — | 35.3 per 100K +151.6% | 29.0 per 100K |
| 9 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K +109.3% | 14.9 per 100K |
| 10 | Custer County | 8.9K | — | 36.1 per 100K | — | 27.0 per 100K +92.2% | 29.2 per 100K |
Safest Counties in South Dakota
Bottom 10 counties ranked by suicide rate.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Yankton County | 23.4K | — | 9.6 per 100K | — | 7.4 per 100K -47.6% | 16.8 per 100K |
| 23 | Brookings County | 35.4K | — | — | — | 12.6 per 100K -10.2% | 8.2 per 100K |
| 22 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K -4.6% | 7.6 per 100K |
| 21 | Union County | 17.1K | — | — | — | 14.5 per 100K +3.4% | — |
| 20 | Lake County | 11.0K | — | — | — | 14.9 per 100K +5.8% | 11.2 per 100K |
| 19 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K +10.0% | 8.8 per 100K |
| 18 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K | — | 16.1 per 100K +14.7% | 13.2 per 100K |
| 17 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K +17.6% | 11.1 per 100K |
| 16 | Hughes County | 17.7K | — | 11.4 per 100K | — | 20.7 per 100K +47.2% | 14.6 per 100K |
| 15 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K | — | 22.9 per 100K +63.2% | 10.1 per 100K |
All 24 Counties Ranked
Every county in South Dakota ranked by suicide rate. Click any county for its full profile.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo County | 1.8K | — | — | — | 155.4 per 100K +1006.6% | 72.6 per 100K |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K +402.4% | 80.6 per 100K |
| 3 | Lyman County | 3.7K | — | — | — | 65.6 per 100K +367.2% | 40.7 per 100K |
| 4 | Corson County | 3.8K | — | — | — | 56.7 per 100K +303.7% | 45.9 per 100K |
| 5 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K +297.6% | 86.4 per 100K |
| 6 | Dewey County | 5.2K | — | — | — | 41.0 per 100K +192.2% | 68.3 per 100K |
| 7 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K +170.5% | 33.8 per 100K |
| 8 | Fall River County | 7.3K | — | 29.4 per 100K | — | 35.3 per 100K +151.6% | 29.0 per 100K |
| 9 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K +109.3% | 14.9 per 100K |
| 10 | Custer County | 8.9K | — | 36.1 per 100K | — | 27.0 per 100K +92.2% | 29.2 per 100K |
| 11 | Roberts County | 10.2K | — | — | — | 26.2 per 100K +86.8% | 33.3 per 100K |
| 12 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K | — | 25.4 per 100K +81.1% | 10.7 per 100K |
| 13 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K +72.4% | 13.7 per 100K |
| 14 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K +64.9% | 12.4 per 100K |
| 15 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K | — | 22.9 per 100K +63.2% | 10.1 per 100K |
| 16 | Hughes County | 17.7K | — | 11.4 per 100K | — | 20.7 per 100K +47.2% | 14.6 per 100K |
| 17 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K +17.6% | 11.1 per 100K |
| 18 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K | — | 16.1 per 100K +14.7% | 13.2 per 100K |
| 19 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K +10.0% | 8.8 per 100K |
| 20 | Lake County | 11.0K | — | — | — | 14.9 per 100K +5.8% | 11.2 per 100K |
| 21 | Union County | 17.1K | — | — | — | 14.5 per 100K +3.4% | — |
| 22 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K -4.6% | 7.6 per 100K |
| 23 | Brookings County | 35.4K | — | — | — | 12.6 per 100K -10.2% | 8.2 per 100K |
| 24 | Yankton County | 23.4K | — | 9.6 per 100K | — | 7.4 per 100K -47.6% | 16.8 per 100K |
Most Dangerous Counties in South Dakota
Top 10 counties ranked by motor vehicle deaths.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K +326.7% |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K +298.1% |
| 3 | Mellette County | 1.9K | — | — | — | — | 77.6 per 100K +283.2% |
| 4 | Jackson County | 2.8K | — | — | — | — | 76.3 per 100K +276.9% |
| 5 | Buffalo County | 1.8K | — | — | — | 155.4 per 100K | 72.6 per 100K +258.5% |
| 6 | Dewey County | 5.2K | — | — | — | 41.0 per 100K | 68.3 per 100K +237.3% |
| 7 | Corson County | 3.8K | — | — | — | 56.7 per 100K | 45.9 per 100K +126.8% |
| 8 | Gregory County | 4.0K | — | — | — | — | 40.7 per 100K +101.3% |
| 9 | Lyman County | 3.7K | — | — | — | 65.6 per 100K | 40.7 per 100K +100.9% |
| 10 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K +67.0% |
Safest Counties in South Dakota
Bottom 10 counties ranked by motor vehicle deaths.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K -62.4% |
| 34 | Brookings County | 35.4K | — | — | — | 12.6 per 100K | 8.2 per 100K -59.6% |
| 33 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K -56.3% |
| 32 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K | — | 22.9 per 100K | 10.1 per 100K -50.2% |
| 31 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K | — | 25.4 per 100K | 10.7 per 100K -47.0% |
| 30 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K -45.3% |
| 29 | Lake County | 11.0K | — | — | — | 14.9 per 100K | 11.2 per 100K -44.5% |
| 28 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K -38.8% |
| 27 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K | — | 16.1 per 100K | 13.2 per 100K -34.8% |
| 26 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K -32.5% |
All 35 Counties Ranked
Every county in South Dakota ranked by motor vehicle deaths. Click any county for its full profile.
| # | County | Pop. | Homicides | Firearms | Overdoses | Suicides | Vehicle Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oglala Lakota County | 13.5K | 40.6 per 100K | 33.0 per 100K | 26.7 per 100K | 55.8 per 100K | 86.4 per 100K +326.7% |
| 2 | Todd County | 9.2K | 24.5 per 100K | 40.6 per 100K | — | 70.5 per 100K | 80.6 per 100K +298.1% |
| 3 | Mellette County | 1.9K | — | — | — | — | 77.6 per 100K +283.2% |
| 4 | Jackson County | 2.8K | — | — | — | — | 76.3 per 100K +276.9% |
| 5 | Buffalo County | 1.8K | — | — | — | 155.4 per 100K | 72.6 per 100K +258.5% |
| 6 | Dewey County | 5.2K | — | — | — | 41.0 per 100K | 68.3 per 100K +237.3% |
| 7 | Corson County | 3.8K | — | — | — | 56.7 per 100K | 45.9 per 100K +126.8% |
| 8 | Gregory County | 4.0K | — | — | — | — | 40.7 per 100K +101.3% |
| 9 | Lyman County | 3.7K | — | — | — | 65.6 per 100K | 40.7 per 100K +100.9% |
| 10 | Charles Mix County | 9.3K | 15.3 per 100K | 21.4 per 100K | — | 38.0 per 100K | 33.8 per 100K +67.0% |
| 11 | Roberts County | 10.2K | — | — | — | 26.2 per 100K | 33.3 per 100K +64.6% |
| 12 | Walworth County | 5.3K | — | — | — | — | 31.6 per 100K +55.9% |
| 13 | Kingsbury County | 5.2K | — | — | — | — | 31.6 per 100K +55.9% |
| 14 | Custer County | 8.9K | — | 36.1 per 100K | — | 27.0 per 100K | 29.2 per 100K +44.3% |
| 15 | Fall River County | 7.3K | — | 29.4 per 100K | — | 35.3 per 100K | 29.0 per 100K +43.2% |
| 16 | Grant County | 7.6K | — | — | — | — | 27.8 per 100K +37.3% |
| 17 | Bon Homme County | 7.0K | — | 28.7 per 100K | — | — | 24.6 per 100K +21.5% |
| 18 | Turner County | 8.9K | — | — | — | — | 23.6 per 100K +16.5% |
| 19 | Spink County | 6.2K | — | — | — | — | 21.9 per 100K +8.3% |
| 20 | Hutchinson County | 7.4K | — | — | — | — | 21.4 per 100K +5.6% |
| 21 | Butte County | 10.7K | — | — | — | — | 19.3 per 100K -4.9% |
| 22 | Yankton County | 23.4K | — | 9.6 per 100K | — | 7.4 per 100K | 16.8 per 100K -16.8% |
| 23 | Pennington County | 113.5K | 7.6 per 100K | 21.7 per 100K | 12.6 per 100K | 29.4 per 100K | 14.9 per 100K -26.6% |
| 24 | Hughes County | 17.7K | — | 11.4 per 100K | — | 20.7 per 100K | 14.6 per 100K -27.8% |
| 25 | Clay County | 15.2K | — | — | — | — | 13.9 per 100K -31.4% |
| 26 | Codington County | 28.8K | — | 15.6 per 100K | 15.2 per 100K | 24.2 per 100K | 13.7 per 100K -32.5% |
| 27 | Lawrence County | 27.2K | — | 13.0 per 100K | — | 16.1 per 100K | 13.2 per 100K -34.8% |
| 28 | Meade County | 30.5K | — | 17.8 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 23.1 per 100K | 12.4 per 100K -38.8% |
| 29 | Lake County | 11.0K | — | — | — | 14.9 per 100K | 11.2 per 100K -44.5% |
| 30 | Minnehaha County | 203.3K | 4.0 per 100K | 10.0 per 100K | 15.3 per 100K | 16.5 per 100K | 11.1 per 100K -45.3% |
| 31 | Beadle County | 19.3K | — | 18.0 per 100K | — | 25.4 per 100K | 10.7 per 100K -47.0% |
| 32 | Davison County | 20.0K | — | 14.1 per 100K | — | 22.9 per 100K | 10.1 per 100K -50.2% |
| 33 | Brown County | 37.9K | — | 9.3 per 100K | 9.4 per 100K | 15.4 per 100K | 8.8 per 100K -56.3% |
| 34 | Brookings County | 35.4K | — | — | — | 12.6 per 100K | 8.2 per 100K -59.6% |
| 35 | Lincoln County | 70.6K | — | 7.8 per 100K | 7.4 per 100K | 13.4 per 100K | 7.6 per 100K -62.4% |
About This Data
All figures are estimates from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CDC, FBI, NCHS), published by the U.S. Census Bureau. Values are subject to sampling variability and margin of error.
Rankings are within South Dakota only and may differ from national rankings. For more information, see our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous county in South Dakota?
The county with the highest homicide rate in South Dakota is Oglala Lakota County, at 40.6 per 100,000 residents. This is 408% above the national rate of 8 per 100K.
What is the safest county in South Dakota?
The county with the lowest homicide rate in South Dakota is Minnehaha County, at 4.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does South Dakota's crime rate compare to the national average?
3 of 5 counties in South Dakota (60%) have a homicide rate above the national average of 8 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in South Dakota has the most firearm fatalities?
Todd County has the highest firearm fatality rate in South Dakota at 40.6 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in South Dakota has the most drug overdose deaths?
Oglala Lakota County has the highest drug overdose death rate in South Dakota at 26.7 per 100,000 residents.