Safety and crime rates in Iowa: Low overall crime rates statewide. Safe communities and neighborhoods. Crime rates vary by city. Des Moines is generally safe. Cedar Rapids has moderate crime rates. College towns like Iowa City are safe. Rural areas experience minimal crime. Violent crime rates are low. Property crime is more common. Community policing is effective.
Low overall crime rates statewide.
Iowa has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation, with a total rate for violent and property crimes decreasing from 2,376.0 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017 to 1,617.9 in 2022, and it maintains one of the lowest homicide rates in the country. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Iowa Legislative Services Agency Report which provides an in-depth analysis of these statistics and trends.
Safe communities and neighborhoods.
Iowa's safest cities, such as Norwalk, Sioux Center, and Decorah, boast significantly lower crime rates than national averages, with violent crime rates as low as 0.6 incidents per 1,000 people and property crime rates down to 2.2 incidents per 1,000 people. These statistics make them highly desirable and secure places to live. For more details on these rankings, you can visit the Safest Cities in Iowa report, where you can explore the comprehensive analysis of safety in these and other cities across the state.
Crime rates vary by city.
Crime rates in Iowa vary significantly by city, with Clinton standing out as the most dangerous due to its high violent and property crime rates. Meanwhile, cities like Orange City, Urbandale, and Asbury are among the safest in the state. For more detailed information on these statistics, you can visit Iowa's Most Dangerous Cities, where you will find comprehensive analyses and comparisons of crime rates across different locations in Iowa.
Des Moines is generally safe.
While Des Moines has higher crime rates than the national average, with a significant number of violent and property crimes, a majority of residents report feeling pretty safe, and community initiatives like neighborhood watch programs and enhanced security measures are in place to improve safety. For further details on the crime and safety statistics, you can refer to the comprehensive analysis provided by Niche.
Cedar Rapids has moderate crime rates.
Cedar Rapids has crime rates that are 44.9% higher than the national average, with 320 violent crimes and 3,047 property crimes per 100,000 people. However, recent data shows a decrease in violent crime and some property crimes, indicating mixed trends in safety. For a more detailed analysis of crime statistics in Cedar Rapids, you can visit the AreaVibes website which provides comprehensive insights into local safety trends.
College towns like Iowa City are safe.
Iowa City, despite being a college town and home to the University of Iowa, which is ranked as one of the most dangerous college campuses, has a total crime rate 12% lower than the national average. The city reports 264 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 1,775 property crimes per 100,000 people, both of which are lower than the national averages. For detailed crime statistics and information, the AreaVibes website provides a comprehensive analysis and comparison with national figures.
Rural areas experience minimal crime.
Despite traditionally having lower crime rates, rural areas in Iowa have recently witnessed significant increases in violent crime, with a 50% rise in communities with fewer than 10,000 residents between 2006 and 2016. In addition, rural counties in other states, such as West Virginia and New Hampshire, are also experiencing dramatic increases. For more in-depth analysis on this trend, you can visit the Governing website for comprehensive insights.
Violent crime rates are low.
Iowa's violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, registering a rate of 286.5 per 100,000 people in 2022, a slight decrease from 291 in 2021. This trend encompasses reductions across various types of violent crimes, including homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults. For more in-depth information, the FBI Report offers a comprehensive analysis of these statistics, highlighting the positive changes in public safety across the state. This improvement not only enhances the quality of life for Iowa residents but also sets a precedent for other states to follow.
Property crime is more common.
Property crimes in Iowa, which include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, are more common than violent crimes. For example, in 2022, the total rate for property crimes was 1,331.4 per 100,000 population, significantly higher than the total rate for violent crimes, which was 286.5 per 100,000 population. For more detailed statistics and analysis, the Iowa Legislature provides comprehensive information on Property Crimes, illustrating the prevalence and trends of these incidents compared to violent crimes across the state.
Community policing is effective.
Community Policing in Iowa City has shown significant effectiveness, with the police department implementing a majority of the recommendations from a 2020 plan. This plan focuses on diverting non-violent calls to trained civilians, addressing mental health crises, and building police-community partnerships to tackle the root causes of crime and enhance public trust. The Iowa City Council is actively [looking at what's next in community policing](https://www.thegazette.com/local-government/iowa-city-council-looking-at-whats-next-in-community-policing-plan/), ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to community needs in their approach to public safety.