Crime per Capita Statistics Show SIoux Falls Remains Safe Community
Published on February 18, 2025
Mayor Paul TenHaken, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum, Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar, and Chief Deputy Jeff Gromer with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office addressed public safety trends from the entire year of 2024 in a semiannual press conference Tuesday morning. Statistics show Sioux Falls and the surrounding region remain safe.
This public safety briefing is held twice per year as part of a continued effort to provide residents with statistics related to public safety. Statistics specific to the Sioux Falls Police Department show crime numbers are relatively similar to previous recent years. Although Sioux Falls saw an increase in the number of homicides in 2024, other major crimes, like aggravated assaults and burglaries, saw a slight decrease compared to 2023.
“As a department, we pay close attention to any concerning trends of crimes rather than the expected ebbs and flows of statistics from year to year,” said Police Chief Jon Thum. “For a community our size, the violent and property crimes committed per 1,000 people are both the lowest they have been since 2020. Public safety takes collaboration at all levels, and we’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have across the state to help keep Sioux Falls safe.”
The number of calls for service the Sioux Falls Police Department is responding to is increasing, which is expected as the population continues to grow 2–3 percent annually. Sioux Falls’ estimated population reached 219,588 in 2024 in a year where officers responded to more than 130,200 calls. For the first time since 2017, Sioux Falls saw a decrease in the number of stolen vehicles reported in Sioux Falls. That statistic peaked in 2023 with 1,602 cars reported stolen, but in 2024, the community reported 1,366 vehicles stolen.
“The data confirms Sioux Falls remains a safe and inviting community,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken. “I’m proud of the exceptional work of our Sioux Falls Police Department and the partnerships cultivated with public safety agencies across the state. Our administration remains dedicated to investing the necessary resources into our public safety teams as Sioux Falls and the region continue to grow.”
The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force continues its work to identify those responsible for supplying and distributing illicit drugs in the Sioux Falls area, creating a significant increase in the amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and meth seized in 2024 compared to previous years.
FULL PRESENTATION