Is Minneapolis Safe? (Honest Advice From a Local)

👉  Jump to:Is Minneapolis Safe? |  Safe Areas |  Crime |  Scams |  Weather |  Water |  Safety Tips |  FAQ

Between crime and seasonal weather hazards, tourists and prospective residents may be wondering: Is Minneapolis safe? Every city poses safety concerns—Minneapolis is no different.

As a Minneapolis, Minnesota local, I’m here to give you some honest tips about how to stay safe in Minneapolis, so you can enjoy all the fun things to do in this lovely Midwest city!

Notification: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Is Minneapolis Safe?

Minneapolis is a fairly safe city to visit and live in. It has similar crime rates to other American cities, so you should take any safety precautions that you normally would.

Since Minneapolis is a large city, some crime is to be expected. But the tourist areas – where you’ll find most of the popular attractions in Minneapolis – are generally safe.

Tourists should mostly be on the lookout for petty crimes like pickpocketing and bicycle theft. Also, some areas should be avoided, and it’s always safer to avoid walking alone at night.

Additionally, a big safety concern that isn’t related to crime is winter weather. Minneapolis gets very cold and windy, with snow and ice on the roads and sidewalks. This can make driving more dangerous than normal, so it might be best to avoid visiting the city in the winter unless you want to do winter activities like skiing.

Although there are some safety concerns, as long as you keep in mind the precautions I’ve outlined here and avoid dangerous areas, you can be confident about staying safe in Minneapolis.

Things to Know About Safety in Minneapolis

Safe Neighborhoods and Areas in Minneapolis

Although most neighborhoods and places to stay in Minneapolis are generally safe, the safest neighborhoods are outside of the downtown area where it’s less densely populated. Some safe areas and suburbs include:

• Southwest – as its name suggests, this is a neighborhood southwest of downtown Minneapolis. Its key features are its many parks and trails.
• Bloomington – This suburb south of Minneapolis is close to the airport and the best place to stay if you want to visit the Mall of America.
• St. Louis Park – a suburb west of Minneapolis home to the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting where you can view vintage radio and television equipment.

The most dangerous neighborhoods tend to be in or near central Minneapolis and include:

• Hawthorne – north of downtown Minneapolis, this neighborhood has a violent crime rate that’s 920% higher than the national average.
• East Phillips – situated southeast of downtown Minneapolis, this neighborhood has a crime rate that’s almost 300% higher than the national average and a violent crime rate that’s over 800% higher than the national average.
• Ventura Village – this neighborhood is near East Phillips and has similar crime rates.

Crime in Minneapolis

According to CrimeGrade, the rate of crime in Minneapolis is about the same as the average city in the U.S. It is safer than 48% of other American cities and the average annual crime rate is 27.37 per 1,000 people.

However, Minneapolis has a lower violent crime rate and is safer than 58% of other cities in the U.S., whereas the city’s property crime rate is slightly higher than other cities. Crime is generally higher in the central parts of Minneapolis and safer in the southwest areas.

Common Scams in Minneapolis

Like in other cities, travelers should take proper precautions to avoid becoming a victim of a scam. Staying aware of your surroundings and keeping your belongings secure will help you stay safe.

Knowing what kinds of scams and crimes are common can also help protect you. Some common ones in Minneapolis include:

• 🏧 Stealing at ATMs – reconsider taking out money at an ATM where someone is standing too close to you because they could be trying to steal your information or your cash. Also, make sure you put your cash away immediately after an ATM transaction and that no one is following you when you leave.
• 👜 Pickpocketing and purse snatching– don’t leave your belongings unattended because someone might steal them. Be aware of people who are standing too close to you because they could be trying to pickpocket you.
• 🚴 Bicycle theft – this is unfortunately really common in the Twin Cities, even if you have a bike lock. Someone may cut the lock to steal it. If you plan on cycling in Minneapolis, try not to leave your bike unattended and if you need to leave it somewhere, make sure you have a really good bike lock.

Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters

Minneapolis doesn’t experience many natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, but the biggest concern is winter weather.

From November to April, you can expect it to be chilly, especially from December to February. January is the coldest month and has an average low of 10°F, but there will be days that are in the negatives. 

The main thing to look out for in the winter weather forecast is the wind speed. Not only does it get very cold, but also very windy, and this will make some days feel even colder than the temperature indicates.

Additionally, if you plan on renting a car while visiting in the winter, the roads can be icy. Try to avoid driving while it’s snowing or right after fresh snowfall. Once the roads have been plowed and salted, driving will be safer. You may also want to look into getting winter tires, which will make it easier and safer to drive on snowy and icy roads.

Drinking Water Safety

Tap water in Minneapolis is safe to drink according to the Minneapolis Health Department. Plus, it’s a more economical choice than buying bottled water which can save you some money.

For travelers, I recommend packing a water bottle and filling it up with tap water when you arrive. And if you’ll be flying, make sure the bottle is empty before going through airport security!

5 Safety Tips for Minneapolis

Tip #1 – Consider Visiting in the Spring, Summer, or Fall

The best time to visit Minneapolis is outside of the winter season unless you want to do specific winter activities like skiing or lake ice skating. During the winter, Minneapolis has cold, windy weather, snow, and icy roads, so it can be hazardous to drive, especially for those who aren’t as familiar with driving in such conditions.

If you do visit in the winter, make sure you pack plenty of layers and a warm jacket. Also, try to avoid driving if you aren’t used to driving on winter roads, and if you must drive, make sure to go slow, especially if there’s fresh snowfall.

Tip #2 – Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you get lost in Minneapolis or you’re being bothered by someone, the best thing to do is reach out to someone nearby if possible. People in the city are generally friendly and would be willing to help you if you need it.

👉 Read Next: Best Minneapolis Day Trips

Tip #3 – Take Safety Precautions

Minneapolis is about as safe as the average U.S. city, so you should take any safety measures that you normally would anywhere else. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, don’t show or count your cash out in the open, and stick to well-trafficked and well-lit areas if walking around at night.

Tip #4 – Keep Track of Your Drink at Bars

Minneapolis has great nightlife and plenty of bars to keep you entertained at night. But just like in other places, make sure you keep track of your drink at bars and don’t leave it unattended to avoid having something slipped in your drink.

Also, don’t accept drinks from strangers and if someone wants to buy you a drink, have it freshly made by the bartender instead.

Tip #5 – Don’t Walk Alone at Night 

This is especially important for solo female travelers but goes for anyone. If you plan on being out in the city late at night, try to avoid alleys, dark areas, or places without many people. Also, avoid walking at night in general if you can. It would be better to call a taxi or rideshare service to take you where you need to go than to walk at night.

FAQs About Safety

***

I hope this guide helps answer the question: Is Minneapolis safe? Overall, you can enjoy a safe and comfortable visit to this Midwest city. Next, read my guide on day trips from Minneapolis!