Is Minneapolis Safe to Visit or Live in? (2023 From a Local)
Is one of the top things on your mind during your trip planning for Minnesota, wondering is Minneapolis safe?
Safety is a top consideration when planning, and you should always consider things like crime rates, inclement weather, and the safest neighborhoods.
I’ve lived in Minnesota my entire life and visit Minneapolis at least 10 times per year. I also lived just 30 minutes away a few months ago, so I have personal experience in this topic.
It’s likely that you’ve heard a thing or two about Minneapolis in the news, so let’s go over safety tips, where the safest places are to visit, places to avoid, and more from a local.
Is Minneapolis Safe to Visit?
Overall, Minneapolis is a safe city to visit, and with a few extra safety precautions, you can thoroughly enjoy your visit without too many concerns about experiencing an unsafe situation.
There are definitely some things to be aware of, but they’re all things that happen in major cities, so it’s not any different from traveling anywhere else.
I recently lived in a suburb of Minneapolis and rarely felt unsafe when I visited. I’ve traveled to Minneapolis hundreds of times throughout my life and can’t think of many times where I felt unsafe. There are so many people and things to do that it just doesn’t give off that vibe to me.
Minneapolis has a crime rate of about 58 crimes per 1,000 residents according to Neighborhood Scout. This includes violent and property crimes and is higher than the national average.
But at the same time, Minneapolis’ crime rate is lower than in other similar major cities, such as Milwaukee, Detroit, and St. Louis.
When compared to other cities in Minnesota, Minneapolis has a higher crime rate, but most of this crime is confined to certain neighborhoods so it’s easy to avoid for travelers.
One of the biggest problems that I’ve seen in recent years is police brutality. As someone who lives in Minnesota, this is hard to see. Fortunately, most law enforcement is here to help us.
Another thing to consider when thinking about safety in Minneapolis is the weather, as we tend to have very cold temperatures and lots of snow. Watch out for reckless drivers, cold temperatures, and unsafe road conditions!
I’ve actually felt more unsafe due to weather conditions than I have from crime. For real- driving in the snow is terrifying to me!
Is Minneapolis Safe to Live in?
We know that Minneapolis has a higher crime rate than several other metropolitan cities in the Midwest and the country, but what about living here?
There are a lot of reasons to live in Minneapolis, and it can most definitely be a safe place to live. I actually recently lived in a suburb and the only time I felt unsafe was when I decided to walk after dark by myself.
I think that the most important factor if you’re considering moving to Minneapolis, is the neighborhood that you move to.
There are safe neighborhoods and neighborhoods that are less likely to be safe. So choosing to move to a safer neighborhood will help ensure that living in Minneapolis is safe for you.
A few of the safest neighborhoods are Linden Hills, North Loop, and Waite Park. I’ll go over more of these further down in this post.
Is Minneapolis Safe at Night?
Just like any other major city, Minneapolis becomes more dangerous and risky to visit after dark. In fact, it’s the only time that I’ve ever personally felt unsafe in Minneapolis.
There are still plenty of activities in Minneapolis after dark to keep you busy, but it’s best to do things in groups and stick inside.
Walking around after dark puts you at a higher risk of becoming a target of attack.
If you must go out at night, then choose to stay in busy areas, such as Downtown, and instead of walking around, take a taxi or Uber/Lyft.
Crime in Minneapolis, MN
As I mentioned above, Minneapolis does unfortunately have a fairly high crime rate, which can really scare visitors away from traveling here.
In Minneapolis, there is about a 13 in 1,000 chance that you will become a victim of violent crime and a 45 in 1,000 chance that you’ll become a victim of property crime.
This is higher than both the state and national average, and is safer than only 1% of other states in the country, according to Neighborhood Scout.
This means that you have a 1 in 75 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime while in Minneapolis, but only a 1 in 317 chance of becoming a victim in Minnesota overall.
The most common crimes are property crimes, with theft being the highest, with 28 out of 1,000 residents experiencing theft.
Looking at these stats, Minneapolis can seem scary. But, the good news is that most of these crimes are in one area. As both a resident and visitor, I haven’t ever personally experienced any of these crimes, thankfully.
It’s less likely for tourists to experience them, which is good news for travelers like you.
Most Common Crimes in Minneapolis
Here are some of the most common crimes in Minneapolis that you should watch out for.
- Assault
- Breaking & entering
- Stolen property
- Larceny
- Motor vehicle theft
- Robbery
Safest Neighborhoods in Minneapolis
Since most of the crimes in Minneapolis are confined to certain neighborhoods, it’s best to stick to these areas during your visit. Here are a few of the safest.
Linden Hills
Linden Hills is a beautiful neighborhood in southwest Minneapolis that sits just along the popular lakes of Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska.
With history, a suburban feel that isn’t too close to downtown Minneapolis, and plenty of nice homes to live in, Linden Hills is one of the best.
There are so many things to do, especially being so close to these two lakes and the Chain of Lakes in the Twin Cities.
The crime rate here is very low and the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council works to keep the area safe and keep the crime to a minimum.
St. Anthony Park
Saint Anthony Park is actually located on the eastern side of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis’s sister city, St. Paul.
This beautiful neighborhood offers close access to the river, Downtown Minneapolis, and fun summer activities such as the Minnesota State Fair and Como Park.
It’s ideal for college students as it’s close to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, and near the popular Dinkytown.
Housing here is also more affordable than in other regions such as Linden Hills and Waite Park, and crime rates are lower.
Waite Park
Found in northern Minneapolis, the Waite Park neighborhood is popular amongst young people who are living in Minneapolis.
The neighborhood has less to do right within in because it’s more residential, but that also makes it quieter than others!
And even though it’s a bit further north, you’ll still be able to easily get from place to place when you’re visiting Minneapolis.
North Loop
Just a short distance from Downtown Minneapolis is the North Loop neighborhood.
This area is popular due to its close proximity to the Mississippi River, all of the fun activities in downtown, and great places to eat.
If you’re visiting Minneapolis, it’s likely that you’ll end up in North Loop at least once, which is great, since it’s a nice Minneapolis neighborhood.
Downtown
It’s not often that you find a downtown part of the city on a list of safe neighborhoods in a city.
But with Minneapolis, that’s just the case. Downtown is actually a safer neighborhood to be in, thanks to its heavily trafficked attractions.
Places like US Bank Stadium, Target Field, First Avenue, and Target Center are found in Downtown and make it one of the best place for tourists to visit.
It may not be the best place for living, since parking can be really tricky and apartments are really the only choice. But for visiting, it’s great.
Places to Avoid in Minneapolis
Many of the crimes that take place in the city of Minneapolis are confined to certain neighborhoods, and these are some of the most dangerous areas to be.
South Minneapolis
As one of the least sought-after and safe neighborhoods, South Minneapolis shouldn’t be on your list of places to visit.
Unfortunately, violent crimes are common in South Minneapolis, including assault. According to the Minneapolis Crime Dashboard, there are many cases of assault throughout the year.
South Minneapolis is typically considered the area southwest of the Chain of Lakes.
Hawthorne
The Hawthorne neighborhood is found just north of North Loop and Downtown and has a reputation for being one of the more dangerous neighborhoods in the city.
With high rates of violent and property crimes, it’s in your best interest to stay in the other parts of town.
In Hawthorne, you can expect to find a high risk of assault, damage or vandalism of property, motor vehicle theft, and burglary.
Phillips
Phillips is another Minneapolis neighborhood that tends to see more crime than other parts of the city.
Assault, motor vehicle theft, and larceny are some of the top crimes committed in the Phillips Neighborhood, specifically Phillips West.
This also ties in with Ventura Village, which is another part of the city that is best for tourists to avoid.
Dangerous Weather in Minneapolis
While the thing that most people think about when considering visiting Minneapolis is the crime, it’s also important to think about the weather.
Minneapolis doesn’t experience many natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or avalanches, but we do have extreme cold with temperatures that drop well below 0 degrees F.
It can become really easy to get hypothermia and frostbite if you aren’t careful, so it’s important to think about packing very warm clothes, and staying inside if it’s too cold.
In fact, if you aren’t used to the cold weather, it might be best to plan your Minnesota vacation for the summer.
Minneapolis Safety Tips
If you’re looking for additional ways to stay safe during a visit to Minneapolis, then you can follow these tips to ensure that you stay extra safe.
Don’t Walk Alone
One of the best ways to be safe when visiting anywhere is to avoid walking alone, especially if you’re visiting at night.
While solo travel in Minneapolis can be great, it can also put you at a higher risk than if you were with a group or even just one other person.
It’s best to try your best to be with a group when you can, even if that means only walking around alone when there are crowds around.
People are more likely to be preyed upon by thieves or predators when they are alone, especially if they’re in unsafe neighborhoods.
Stay in Well-Traveled and Well-Lit Areas
This tip might seem obvious, but sticking to well-lit areas that are popular amongst locals and tourists will help keep you safe.
Predators are less likely to attack in areas that are well-trafficked with a lot of people around.
Stay Out of the Unsafe Neighborhoods
Just like any other big city, Minneapolis and St. Paul have a few neighborhoods that are less safe than others and are best avoided by travelers.
Most of the crime in these cities takes place in these neighborhoods, and you’re more likely to avoid crime when outside of them.
A few of the neighborhoods to avoid include Phillips, South Minneapolis, and Hawthorne.
Carry Personal Safety Gear
I personally always carry a few pieces of personal safety gear with me that give me a little peace of mind when it comes to traveling.
A few examples of these are personal safety alarms and keychain pepper sprays. I carry both of these with me all the time!
Understand How to Dress for Cold Weather
Cold weather isn’t always a first thought when thinking of Minneapolis safety, but it’s very important when it comes to Minnesota.
Frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly in cold weather, so always dress appropriately and stay inside if there are warnings!
Pack extra layers, cover all of your skin, use handheld warmers to keep extremities warm, and have clothes that are suited for cold weather.
Also, be sure that you’re prepared to drive in the snow if you’re visiting during a Minnesota winter. Our road conditions can become pretty bad, so understand how to be safe behind the wheel.
FAQs
Downtown Minneapolis is actually a pretty safe neighborhood to visit and stay in. There are so many great attractions, fantastic budget and luxury hotels, and places to eat in Downtown.
It can be safe to walk in Minneapolis as long as you are sticking to lit paths and well-traveled areas. I would also recommend only walking around with someone else, rather than alone, and only during the daytime.
South Minneapolis is generally a more dangerous area, along with South St. Paul. When possible, avoid these neighborhoods.
Minneapolis isn’t always dangerous, but one of the biggest reasons that it’s considered dangerous is the high crime rate. The crime rate for property and violent crime is higher than the state and national rate.
Yes, Minneapolis is a beautiful and nice place to live with plenty to do, great places to live, great restaurants, and many safe neighborhoods.
Minneapolis has a higher crime rate than at the state and national level.
Generally speaking, St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Minneapolis, so it is safer. But both cities have fairly high crime rates, making them pretty even.
Minneapolis is generally safe for tourists who stick to well-traveled areas. Most crimes happen within certain neighborhoods that are less likely to be visited by tourists. The areas that tourists visit, such as Downtown, are considered safer neighborhoods.
Yes, the area around US Bank Stadium is a nice, safe place to visit. There is plenty to do, many people at all times of the day, and it’s located in a safe neighborhood.
Yes, Minnesotans are generally nice and are willing to help. So if you were to feel off in a situation, it’s likely that you could ask for help and it would be there.
Yes, the drinking water is safe to drink in Minneapolis. But if you’re worried about it, you could always use a water filter.
When comparing Minneapolis and Chicago, Minneapolis is actually more dangerous. Chicago’s crime rate is 33 per 1,000 residents, while Minneapolis’s is 58 per 1,000.
Yes, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is safe. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best airports in the country, according to Forbes.
Yes, Loring Park in Minneapolis is safe. It is a great spot for holiday celebrations in the Twin Cities, walking and getting outdoors, bringing your dog to the dog park, and more.
Being a few years after the riots in Minneapolis, the city is now much safer. The city has physically recovered from that time period, however, if there are riots in the city in the future, it may become dangerous again. It also becomes an emotional time for the state.
Wrap-Up: Safety in Minneapolis
Safety is and should always be a top consideration that you have when you’re traveling to different places, and that’s no different for Minneapolis!
While the crime rate is high, I’ve never personally felt unsafe here. It’s just like any other big city, and you’ll just want to take precautions like not walking alone and sticking to safe neighborhoods.
Now that you’re ready to go and understand the safety of the city, it’s time to start planning your visit to the amazing Twin Cities of Minnesota.
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