Minnesota is smack dab in the middle of the continental United States but all the way north, bordering Canada.
This Midwestern state is probably best known for being the land of 10,000 lakes, including Lake Superior, which is the largest of the Great Lakes.
It is also the hat of the man who is represented on the map that ends with Louisiana as the boot.
With six national parks, 66 state parks, and nine recreation areas, there are plenty of activities to keep locals entertained and outdoors when the weather permits.
The state stretches across 400 miles, making it the 12th largest in the country.
Minnesota also has the lowest crime rate in its region.
As safe as the state feels, there are some cities that overshadow the rest.
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10 Safest Cities in Minnesota
Big Lake
According to the safety index, Big Lake had only 1 violent crime last year.
In a place with about 10,000 residents, that is a comforting fact.
Only about 45 minutes from the state capital, Big Lake is called such due to its proximity to two sizable lakes.
If you want a place that feels like a getaway without being too removed from civilization, this is a great place to live.
Orono
Doubling in size when compared to the first town, Orono has almost the exact same rating on the safety index.
The area feels rural but is less than a half-hour drive from Minneapolis.
If you’re headed this way, you can look forward to a thick landscape of trees and wetland with a scenic view.
There is a multitude of parks, so no one has to stay cooped up at home.
Worthington
Right at the border of Iowa lies a city of about 14,000 inhabitants.
Just a slight bump up in the safety index here, up to 1.59 per 1,000 as a violent crime rating.
Feeling safe here is the name of the game, given that Worthington has been known as the City of Brotherhood since 1958.
That is because of their overwhelming urge to help out a city in Germany that had been devastated by war.
Lino Lakes
In the metro area of Minneapolis, Link Lakes is home to one of the largest parks in this part of Minnesota.
The over 5,000-acre park is the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve.
If you visit, bring a camera! It has some of the most diverse native wildlife around.
The city of 21,000 scored .43 on the safety index, which is about .43 for every 1,000.
Hutchinson
The only place in the US that has an older park system than Hutchinson is New York City.
Luckily, they do not have a crime rate in common.
At .39, the violent and property crimes are well below the national average.
Perhaps the amount of outdoor recreation available helps.
There is Crow River, Otter Lake, and Campbell Lake where people all around come to fish and socialize.
Eden Prairie
With 64,198 residents, this is the most populated city on the list.
There are over 2,000 businesses, almost 200 miles of trails, and 2,250 acres that are used for parks within the city limits.
The economy is doing great and has many resources available.
Money Magazine has voted the city as one of the Best Places to Live in America.
Coming in at .37 on the safety index, both Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids are considered pretty safe places to live.
Grand Rapids
Toward the end of the Mississippi River, Grand Rapids is named for the rapids that met traveling steamboats at the end of the 1800s.
If you like a walk back in time, there are several antique homes turned museums around town.
One of the favorites is the Judy Garland Museum, the childhood home of the late movie star.
Perhaps it’s the history or the forward-moving economy, but locals believe their city is the best in the state.
As far as safety, it is on the lower side for the state of Minnesota.
Hibbing
If you are more interested in hunting, fishing, and setting sail on the lake than in more modern activities, this might be the place.
While there is not a ton to do in town, it is home to the largest open-pit iron mine in the world.
This was a large part of the fuel for America’s Industrial Revolution.
This boomtown fizzled out some overtime but still maintains one of the best safety ratings in the state.
Centennial Lakes
Go for a walk on the calm side of the 24-acre park and pond the city is built around.
The winter does not need to stop your joy, there’s also a 10-acre lake everyone in town ice skates on.
Both Centennial Lakes and Hopkins have the same safety index of .35, so you do not have to worry about leaving those skates in plain view of your backseat.
In the summer, there are live performances on the lawn, which is perfect for bringing a blanket and stretching out.
Hopkins
Even though Centennial Lakes and Hopkins are at the bottom of the top 10 safest cities list, they are still well below the national average for safety.
Hopkins has a bit of a city vibe going on.
Named after the first person to move there and postmaster, Harley Hopkins, the town has grown into a bustling enclave of small businesses.
There are coffee shops, breweries, comedy clubs, and a center for the arts.
They are trying to do a lot for the 17,000 residents.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Minnesota
- Travel with only what you need. That includes both your financial resources and any extra items that would be left out in a vehicle.
- Call for help from inside your vehicle. If you are approached by someone in need, do not vacate your ride or hand over your phone.
- Stay cognizant of your belongings when at a restaurant. Keep yourself in physical contact with your handbag, wallet, or digital devices while at a table or booth or when you use facilities.
- Park the car in busy or well-lit areas. Being isolated could make your vehicle a target, making sure there are people around or that it can be seen easily by others offers protection.
- Stay close to staff on public transportation. Especially when there are fewer people on board, keep your distance from strangers and be able to see workers in case of a problem.
Sources
- https://www.biglakemn.org/230/About-Big-Lake
- http://www.ci.worthington.mn.us/about-worthington
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Lino_Lakes,_Minnesota
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutchinson,_Minnesota
- https://epchamber.org/discover-eden-prairie/schools-city/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibbing,_Minnesota
- https://www.hibbing.org/history/
- https://www.edinamn.gov/facilities/facility/details/Centennial-Lakes-Park-41
- https://www.hopkinsmn.com/403/About-Hopkins
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g43176-Activities-Hopkins_Minnesota.html
- https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/encounters.html
- https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/harbors/boatingsafety.html
Minnesota Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Minnesota Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do wild animals attack in Minnesota?
First, we must say that if you see wildlife, do not get close.
Some animals can be aggressive if they feel you are in their space.
Please watch from a distance!
With that being said, there have been no fatal bear attacks in the state and only eight attacks overall in the last 25 years.
Big cats such as bobcats or cougars are very rare and almost always from afar.
If you do come upon one and it seems aggressive, run away because it likely has rabies.
Unfortunately, if you get attacked by any animal in Minnesota, it is probably going to be a domesticated dog.
How safe is it to visit Lake Superior?
You could probably expect more danger from the weather than people when you are by the lake.
Because of the wishy-washy nature of the Great Lakes, try to avoid going out on the water if you are not an experienced boater.
The weather can get violent for any size of a vessel trying to navigate through.
So, being comfortable with the area and what your boat can do makes for the safest time out on the lake.
As far as crime goes, it is actually a pretty safe area with an abundance of peace officers.
What is the most dangerous city in Minnesota?
Considering most of the cities we mentioned were not far off from the Twin Cities, the most dangerous city in the state is actually St. Paul.
The city has over 430,000 inhabitants and is at 5.2 per 1,000 residents on the safety index.
In 2019, there were almost 4,000 violent crimes.
Every 39 minutes there is some type of crime happening, on average, in St. Paul.
It is not super unusual to have more crime, being that it is the capital city, but it is important to pay extra attention when out and about.
So, if you are visiting, take an abundance of caution.
Hugo has low crime rates, growing suburban development, and active community safety programs. I think it’s the best choice for me and my family to live in.
I just moved to Chanhassen! It is known for its family-friendly environment. The city boasts low crime rates, a strong community atmosphere, and comprehensive public safety services.
Lakeville has low crime rates, excellent schools, and a robust parks and recreation system that contributes to community safety. If you wanna visit to travel or go for an adventure, you can definitely come anytime!
Medina is really known for its low crime rates, high median household incomes, and proactive law enforcement. I did my research before traveling and eventually living here.
Orono boasts very low crime rates and a strong sense of community. The city also benefits from well-funded public services and proactive law enforcement. My friends and I love the scenic view in here.