Minneapolis often sparks the question: “Is it safe?” The city has a lot to offer, but safety depends on where you go and when you go.
Some neighborhoods require extra caution. For visitors, the biggest concern is usually downtown. Overall, Minneapolis is generally safe for most residents and visitors in 2025. Safety varies by neighborhood, and staying informed makes a big difference.
Crime trends have shifted over the past few years, rising after 2020, then changing again in 2024 and 2025. Whether you’re visiting, moving, or doing business here, it helps to know the facts and hear from locals.
Here’s what the data and residents say about safety in Minneapolis in 2025.
Safety comparison: Minneapolis vs. other cities:
Some travelers worry about how dangerous Minneapolis is or ask if it’s considered a hazardous city compared to other U.S. metros. Minneapolis has a higher crime index than the national average. On Numbeo’s 2025 crime index, it scores around the mid-50s (on a scale of 0–100).
| City | Crime Index 2025 | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 55 | Mid-range, improving |
| Chicago | 65 | Higher violent crime |
| Detroit | 68 | Among highest |
That’s higher than many mid-sized cities but lower than major metros like Chicago or Detroit. In other words, Minneapolis is not the most dangerous city in America, but it’s not the safest either.
Minneapolis crime map 2025:
The city publishes an official crime map that tracks incidents by neighborhood. Darker shaded areas on crime maps represent neighborhoods with higher crime rates or more severe incidents, like violent crimes or frequent thefts. Lighter shaded areas indicate lower crime rates and fewer serious incidents, signaling relatively safer neighborhoods.
- Downtown and North Minneapolis show more frequent violent crimes.
- Southwest and Linden Hills remain calmer with fewer incidents.
This map is the best tool for both residents and visitors to check hotspots in real time.
Minneapolis Crime Index 2025:
The crime rate in Minneapolis has drawn headlines. In Minneapolis, the official city dashboard recorded 72 homicides in 2023 and 76 homicides in 2024, a rise confirmed by the Minnesota Reformer.
The Minneapolis crime news keeps telling us that a series of violent incidents has rocked Minneapolis in recent weeks.
Recent 2025 reports show Minneapolis grappling with both violent and property crimes. Tragic incidents include a church shooting that killed two children and a carjacking rampage by a “career criminal” resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
Property crime remains a concern as well: The Express Tribune covered three men on trial for stealing a $6 million gold toilet, the Star Tribune reported vandalism and vehicle theft in Linden Hills, Uptown, and Loring Park.
These incidents, although high-profile, are concentrated mainly in specific neighborhoods, and overall crime in Minneapolis began to decline in the early months of 2025. Weekly updates from Mayor Frey’s office show encouraging trends, offering a more positive outlook on safety across the city:
| Crimes | 2025 Trend or Change |
|---|---|
| Gunshot incidents | Decrease by 32% (early 2025 vs previous period) |
| Auto theft | Decrease by 24% |
| Stolen property overall | Decrease by 8.1% |
| Larceny/theft | Decrease by 6.2% |
| University-adjacent theft | Decrease by 17% |
| Vehicle theft (university area) | Decrease by 35% |
| Vandalism (university area) | Decrease by18% |
| Burglary (university area) | Increase by 14% |
| Shoplifting at specific plazas | Accounts for 40%+ of citywide incidents |
According to Numbeo, Minneapolis’s crime index is 55, which signals moderate-to-high crime levels. People report concerns about theft, car break-ins, and assaults in certain districts. Perception matters, and in 2025, many still feel uneasy in parts of the city.
Crime statistics 2025:
In Minneapolis, there were 27,812 reported crimes in the past year. Of these, 4,944 were violent crimes and 22,868 were property crimes.
This translates to a crime rate of 65.42 per 1,000 residents, with violent crime at 11.63 per 1,000 and property crime at 53.79 per 1,000.
That was last year. In 2025, the story isn’t all bad. Official dashboards show crime started trending downward in early 2025 compared with 2024.
- Robberies dropped by about 47% in the first months of 2025.
- Homicides also showed some decline compared to late 2024, though spikes still occurred.
Still, property crimes, such as car theft, remain a persistent problem.
Robbery stats in Minneapolis 2025:
Robberies are one area where the city saw real improvement. In early 2025, robberies were nearly half what they were in 2024. Police attribute this to targeted patrols and community programs.
Burglary incidents have risen by 8%, vandalism has surged 27%, and car break-ins are increasingly common, driven in part by a nationwide spike in thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
Homicide Stats in Minneapolis 2025:
Homicide counts improved slightly compared with 2024. However, locals are aware that the risk remains. A handful of violent incidents in North Minneapolis and Phillips neighborhoods made headlines this year. The numbers are better, but not stable yet.
Is Minneapolis safe for residents?
When you ask a local if Minneapolis is truly safe, the questions go deeper than crime rates. It’s about whether people feel comfortable hopping on public transit at night, if kids can run freely in neighborhood parks without parents worrying, and whether cars are still in the lot after a quick grocery run.
It’s about families trusting that schools are safe spaces, free from drugs and violence, and neighbors feeling secure enough to walk the Stone Arch Bridge or bike the lakes at dusk.
Finance buzz ranks Minneapolis as the number 5 walkable city and a Walk Score rating of 71. Redfin shares its walkable neighborhoods list in a recent report; the top areas are Lyn Lake, Uptown, and Lowry Hill East
Many residents point to areas like Linden Hills, Nokomis, Longfellow, and Southwest Minneapolis as safe, family-friendly neighborhoods where community trust runs high and daily life feels protected.
Still, property crime is a constant annoyance, and some communities feel the strain of recurring violence. Keep reading; at the end of this blog, we share how Remote Video Monitoring is helping businesses stay safer from theft, vandalism, and more.
Safest neighborhoods in Minneapolis:
Based on recent data and resident feedback, some of the safest neighborhoods in Minneapolis include Linden Hills, Southwest Minneapolis (Fulton, Lynnhurst, East Harriet), and parts of Uptown and Northeast.
Most dangerous neighborhoods in Minneapolis:
These areas combine low crime rates with active community groups, good lighting, stable housing, and strong neighborhood engagement, making them highly desirable for families and residents seeking a secure environment.
In 2025, the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Minneapolis include North Minneapolis, Phillips, and parts of Central. While not every block is unsafe, these areas see a higher concentration of incidents, making residents more vigilant about safety and community awareness.
What do locals say?
Talk to locals and you’ll hear two things:
- Pride in their city. Minneapolis has arts, lakes, food, and a community that residents love.
- Frustration with crime. Many want faster government action and more visible solutions.
Harry Cooper, a former CIA senior executive, advises avoiding being alone at night, staying alert, and trusting your instincts if something feels off.
Linda Balough, a former tourism official and writer, adds that anyone walking in quiet areas is vulnerable, so walk with confidence, stay aware, and use barriers like cars or mailboxes for safety.
Both pride and concern live side by side here.
Is Minneapolis safe for tourists?
Yes, Minneapolis is safe for tourists, but, like any major city, awareness is key. Many visitors look up areas to avoid in the Minneapolis map before planning their stay. That doesn’t mean Minneapolis won’t be buzzing with activity this fall.
In October 2025, the city is ready to host the Twin Cities Marathon, the lively Twin Cities Oktoberfest at the State Fairgrounds, the glowing Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo, and much more.
In 2024, Meet Minneapolis reported:
With the tourism industry booming, a report confirms that by July 2025, Minnesota had welcomed 2.2 million tourists, with 1.2 million arriving by air and about 901,731 by car!
Now you can imagine the impact it had on local businesses, from packed hotels and restaurants to bustling shops and event venues.
Is Minneapolis a safe bet for business?
Minneapolis is a significant hub for business and the economy. Being home to five Fortune 500 companies, including giants like Target (one of the largest retailers in the U.S.) and U.S. Bancorp (a leading financial services company), signals that the city attracts investment, talent, and innovation.
These companies provide thousands of local jobs, boost the city’s tax base, and draw in supporting industries like tech, logistics, and professional services. Business safety is more complex. Some national chains have scaled back because of theft and security costs.
Local businesses continue to thrive in stable neighborhoods with substantial foot traffic. The decision comes down to investment in security. Businesses across the USA are trusting Live monitoring as their security solution.
Let’s explore how businesses are staying safe in Minneapolis.
How businesses are staying safe in Minneapolis in 2025:
Proactive detection and rapid response through live Remote Video monitoring are key to keeping businesses and properties safe in Minneapolis. Safety isn’t a one-time effort; it requires 24/7, year-round protection, whether you’re in the downtown core, Southwest neighborhoods, or the northern parts of the city.
For comprehensive security of your business, people, and assets, relying on third-party monitoring is essential. AI-powered CCTV cameras can detect intrusions, brandished weapons, violence, and even smoke or fire. Accurate detection ensures that threats are addressed swiftly.
With Sirix’s AI, smoke and fire are detected faster than traditional sensors indoors or outdoors, delivering real-time alerts, fewer false alarms, and quicker responses when every second counts.
Once an alert is triggered, trained remote operators assess the situation through your cameras and take action in accordance with the preset SOPs. Responses can include direct voice interventions via on-site speakers or contacting the police or other authorities immediately.
This system ensures Minneapolis residents and businesses stay safer, preventing incidents before they escalate.
Tips from locals for staying safe in Minneapolis:
Social media is flooded with tips and tricks for getting around Minneapolis safely.
- You’ll be fine if you stay on the busy, well-lit side of Downtown West at night. Avoid Nicollet south of Grant, as it passes a couple of sketchy buildings. Don’t wander off alone after dark.
- If you plan to enjoy rooftop bars like Brit’s or have a few drinks, use Uber or Lyft instead of walking more than a block or two alone.
- Consider Lotus (LaSalle & Grant) for a classic local favorite, or Gai Noi near Loring Park for a newer, trendy spot.
- If you want a livelier scene after work, head to the North Loop along Washington Ave, where bars and breweries are clustered, perfect for happy hour or evening drinks.
- If you live here, sign up for neighborhood alerts and block clubs. Avoid 5th & Hennepin after dark and 1st Ave after the bars close. Stick to main streets, ignore anyone trying to provoke trouble, and keep an eye on your surroundings.
Conclusion:
Yes, Minneapolis is safe to live in and visit in 2025. While some crime trends, like robberies and homicides, are improving, property crime and theft remain concerns.
Tourists, residents, and businesses can stay safer by staying aware, sticking to well-lit streets, using rideshares at night, and choosing neighborhoods wisely. Areas like Linden Hills, Southwest Minneapolis, and parts of Uptown offer safety and a strong community, while North Minneapolis, Phillips, and parts of Central require extra caution.
For businesses and property owners, investing in Remote Video Monitoring provides an additional layer of security, helping prevent theft, vandalism, and other incidents so you can navigate the city with confidence. Contact us today for a customized security solution for your business.
