City in Minnesota, United States
Is Minneapolis safe?
Safe in most visitor areas with normal care, though crime rose after 2020.
Is Minneapolis safe?
Safe in most visitor areas with normal care, though crime rose after 2020. Downtown at night and parts of north Minneapolis need caution; winter cold is a safety issue itself.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Minneapolis at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car theft and break-ins, robberies in downtown and Uptown at night; violent crime is concentrated in north and south-central neighborhoods away from visitors. |
| At night | North Loop and Uptown are busy until about 1–2 am. After that use rideshare; avoid walking through downtown alone. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable in busy areas. Use rideshare late, watch drinks and avoid empty transit stops at night. |
| Other risks | Extreme winter cold and ice; Summer thunderstorms and tornado warnings; Mosquitoes and ticks near lakes |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Card skimmers at gas pumps and standalone ATMs
- Fake rental listings asking for deposits by wire
- Ticket scalpers outside Target Center and US Bank Stadium
Take care
- Downtown and Lake Street after midnight: robberies and car thefts
- Northside neighborhoods: avoid at night
- Walking outdoors in extreme winter cold without proper clothing
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Minneapolis compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Minneapolis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Minneapolis safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable in busy areas. Use rideshare late, watch drinks and avoid empty transit stops at night.
Is Minneapolis safe at night?
North Loop and Uptown are busy until about 1–2 am. After that use rideshare; avoid walking through downtown alone.
What is the crime rate in Minneapolis?
Car theft and break-ins, robberies in downtown and Uptown at night; violent crime is concentrated in north and south-central neighborhoods away from visitors. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Minneapolis?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Minneapolis
Going to Minneapolis solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Minneapolis meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Metro Transit
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
- Meet Minneapolis
- Hennepin Healthcare
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.