Minnesota’s Crime Numbers Are In: Here’s What Stands Out In The Twin Cities

ST. PAUL, MN — Violent crime rose slightly across the Twin Cities metro last year while overall statewide numbers remained steady, according to the 2024 Uniform Crime Report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The report shows violent crime increased by 1 percent in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, which includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. In greater Minnesota, violent crime decreased by 3 percent.

Statewide, there were 170 murders in 2024 compared with 181 in 2023. Firearms were used in nearly three-quarters of those killings, up from 69.6 percent the previous year.

Reports of rape increased by 5.2 percent, with 2,159 incidents statewide. Most of the rapes occurred in a home, and nearly 40 percent of the victims were minors.

Carjackings, which have been a growing concern for Twin Cities police departments, rose 5.5 percent in 2024. The BCA reported 426 incidents statewide, compared with 401 the year before. The agency noted that carjackings, including attempted ones, are now counted separately from other vehicle thefts.

Motor vehicle theft overall dropped nearly 20 percent statewide, falling from 15,612 stolen vehicles in 2023 to 12,596 in 2024.

Larceny cases reached their lowest level in 56 years, with just under 71,000 incidents reported. Burglaries also continued to decline, totaling 10,576 last year, down from more than 16,000 in 2020.

Bias crimes increased, with 225 incidents reported, up from 180 in 2023.

Use-of-force incidents involving officers who fired their weapons rose from 17 to 27 in 2024. Peace officers were assaulted in 976 incidents, a 1.5 percent increase from the year before.

The BCA also reported a new data point required by the Legislature. Between August 2023 and August 2024, no agencies reported obtaining search warrants to maintain mobile tracking devices on stolen vehicles for more than 24 hours.

Statewide, 76 percent of homicide cases were cleared by arrest or what the BCA called “exceptional means,” such as when a suspect dies, compared with 81 percent in 2023.

Local breakdowns of crime are available on the Minnesota BCA website.