Iowa's 25 Safest Cities - Updated 2023

Safe Havens Unveiled: Exploring the 25 Safest Cities in Iowa

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world where safety and security are paramount, finding the perfect place to call home becomes a top priority. Join us on a journey as we uncover the 25 safest cities across Iowa. From tranquil suburbs to vibrant urban centers, these communities offer not only peace of mind but also a high quality of life.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in Iowa is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in Iowa. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in Iowa.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in Iowa with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within Iowa. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#25 Eldridge

County: Scott

324

Crime per 100,000 population

-85.7%

vs. Iowa average

-88.85%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Eldridge from 2012 to 2022

Eldridge is an area in Scott, Iowa with population of 6,634. The total crime rate in Eldridge is based on the nearest law agency agency, Eldridge Police Department (IA0820600). Eldridge total crime rate is 324 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Eldridge

#24 Boone

County: Boone

282

Crime per 100,000 population

-87.57%

vs. Iowa average

-90.31%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Boone from 2012 to 2022

Boone is an area in Boone, Iowa with population of 12,509. The total crime rate in Boone is based on the nearest law agency agency, Boone County Sheriff's Office (IA0080000). Boone total crime rate is 282 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Boone

#23 Sioux City

County: Woodbury

280

Crime per 100,000 population

-87.66%

vs. Iowa average

-90.38%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Sioux City from 2012 to 2022

Sioux City is an area in Woodbury, Iowa with population of 111,924. The total crime rate in Sioux City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Woodbury County Sheriff's Office (IA0970000). Sioux City total crime rate is 280 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sioux City

#22 Davenport

County: Scott

270

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.08%

vs. Iowa average

-90.71%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Davenport from 2012 to 2022

Davenport is an area in Scott, Iowa with population of 280,282. The total crime rate in Davenport is based on the nearest law agency agency, Scott County Sheriff's Office (IA0820000). Davenport total crime rate is 270 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Davenport

#21 Asbury

County: Dubuque

266

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.27%

vs. Iowa average

-90.86%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Asbury from 2012 to 2022

Asbury is an area in Dubuque, Iowa with population of 5,795. The total crime rate in Asbury is based on the nearest law agency agency, Dubuque County Sheriff's Office (IA0310000). Asbury total crime rate is 266 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Asbury

#20 Algona

County: Kossuth

262

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.46%

vs. Iowa average

-91.0%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Algona from 2012 to 2022

Algona is an area in Kossuth, Iowa with population of 5,407. The total crime rate in Algona is based on the nearest law agency agency, Kossuth County Sheriff's Office (IA0550000). Algona total crime rate is 262 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Algona

#19 Indianola

County: Warren

261

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.5%

vs. Iowa average

-91.04%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Indianola from 2012 to 2022

Indianola is an area in Warren, Iowa with population of 15,544. The total crime rate in Indianola is based on the nearest law agency agency, Warren County Sheriff's Office (IA0910000). Indianola total crime rate is 261 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Indianola

#18 Perry

County: Dallas

259

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.58%

vs. Iowa average

-91.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Perry from 2012 to 2022

Perry is an area in Dallas, Iowa with population of 7,836. The total crime rate in Perry is based on the nearest law agency agency, Dallas County Sheriff's Office (IA0250000). Perry total crime rate is 259 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Perry

#17 Adel

County: Dallas

259

Crime per 100,000 population

-88.58%

vs. Iowa average

-91.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Adel from 2012 to 2022

Adel is an area in Dallas, Iowa with population of 5,867. The total crime rate in Adel is based on the nearest law agency agency, Dallas County Sheriff's Office (IA0250000). Adel total crime rate is 259 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Adel

#16 Fort Madison

County: Lee

249

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.02%

vs. Iowa average

-91.44%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Fort Madison from 2012 to 2022

Fort Madison is an area in Lee, Iowa with population of 10,340. The total crime rate in Fort Madison is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lee County Sheriff's Office (IA0560000). Fort Madison total crime rate is 249 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Fort Madison

#15 Cherokee

County: Cherokee

237

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.53%

vs. Iowa average

-91.84%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Cherokee from 2012 to 2022

Cherokee is an area in Cherokee, Iowa with population of 5,141. The total crime rate in Cherokee is based on the nearest law agency agency, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office (IA0180000). Cherokee total crime rate is 237 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Cherokee

#14 Newton

County: Jasper

237

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.55%

vs. Iowa average

-91.85%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Newton from 2012 to 2022

Newton is an area in Jasper, Iowa with population of 15,688. The total crime rate in Newton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Jasper County Sheriff's Office (IA0500000). Newton total crime rate is 237 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Newton

#13 Ames

County: Story

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-90.41%

vs. Iowa average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Ames from 2012 to 2022

Ames is an area in Story, Iowa with population of 66,027. The total crime rate in Ames is based on the nearest law agency agency, Story County Sheriff's Office (IA0850000). Ames total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Ames

#12 North Liberty

County: Johnson

198

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.26%

vs. Iowa average

-93.19%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in North Liberty from 2012 to 2022

North Liberty is an area in Johnson, Iowa with population of 19,976. The total crime rate in North Liberty is based on the nearest law agency agency, Johnson County Sheriff's Office (IA0520000). North Liberty total crime rate is 198 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in North Liberty

#11 Coralville

County: Johnson

198

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.26%

vs. Iowa average

-93.19%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Coralville from 2012 to 2022

Coralville is an area in Johnson, Iowa with population of 22,226. The total crime rate in Coralville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Johnson County Sheriff's Office (IA0520000). Coralville total crime rate is 198 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Coralville

#10 Oelwein

County: Fayette

196

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.34%

vs. Iowa average

-93.24%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Oelwein from 2012 to 2022

Oelwein is an area in Fayette, Iowa with population of 5,961. The total crime rate in Oelwein is based on the nearest law agency agency, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office (IA0100000). Oelwein total crime rate is 196 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Oelwein

#9 Independence

County: Buchanan

196

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.34%

vs. Iowa average

-93.24%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Independence from 2012 to 2022

Independence is an area in Buchanan, Iowa with population of 6,088. The total crime rate in Independence is based on the nearest law agency agency, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office (IA0100000). Independence total crime rate is 196 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Independence

#8 Waverly

County: Bremer

187

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.76%

vs. Iowa average

-93.58%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Waverly from 2012 to 2022

Waverly is an area in Bremer, Iowa with population of 10,278. The total crime rate in Waverly is based on the nearest law agency agency, Bremer County Sheriff's Office (IA0090000). Waverly total crime rate is 187 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Waverly

#7 Waterloo

County: Black Hawk

172

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.41%

vs. Iowa average

-94.09%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Waterloo from 2012 to 2022

Waterloo is an area in Black Hawk, Iowa with population of 114,594. The total crime rate in Waterloo is based on the nearest law agency agency, Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office (IA0070000). Waterloo total crime rate is 172 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Waterloo

#6 Maquoketa

County: Jackson

142

Crime per 100,000 population

-93.72%

vs. Iowa average

-95.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Maquoketa from 2012 to 2022

Maquoketa is an area in Jackson, Iowa with population of 6,123. The total crime rate in Maquoketa is based on the nearest law agency agency, Jackson County Sheriff's Office (IA0490000). Maquoketa total crime rate is 142 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Maquoketa

#5 Charles City

County: Floyd

120

Crime per 100,000 population

-94.71%

vs. Iowa average

-95.87%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Charles City from 2012 to 2022

Charles City is an area in Floyd, Iowa with population of 7,399. The total crime rate in Charles City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Floyd County Sheriff's Office (IA0340000). Charles City total crime rate is 120 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Charles City

#4 Knoxville

County: Marion

110

Crime per 100,000 population

-95.11%

vs. Iowa average

-96.19%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Knoxville from 2012 to 2022

Knoxville is an area in Marion, Iowa with population of 7,537. The total crime rate in Knoxville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Knoxville Police Department (IA0630100). Knoxville total crime rate is 110 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Knoxville

#3 Decorah

County: Winneshiek

87.84

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.13%

vs. Iowa average

-96.98%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Decorah from 2012 to 2022

Decorah is an area in Winneshiek, Iowa with population of 7,767. The total crime rate in Decorah is based on the nearest law agency agency, Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office (IA0960000). Decorah total crime rate is 87.84 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Decorah

#2 Carroll

County: Carroll

76.47

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.63%

vs. Iowa average

-97.37%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Carroll from 2012 to 2022

Carroll is an area in Carroll, Iowa with population of 10,261. The total crime rate in Carroll is based on the nearest law agency agency, Carroll County Sheriff's Office (IA0140000). Carroll total crime rate is 76.47 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Carroll

#1 Sioux Center

County: Sioux

76.15

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.65%

vs. Iowa average

-97.39%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Sioux Center from 2012 to 2022

Sioux Center is an area in Sioux, Iowa with population of 8,090. The total crime rate in Sioux Center is based on the nearest law agency agency, Sioux Center Police Department (IA0840500). Sioux Center total crime rate is 76.15 per 100,000 population, compared to Iowa average of 2,270.75 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sioux Center

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in Iowa

Safety Tips for Total Crime in Iowa

Explore More on Crime Rates in Iowa

Interested in learning more about crime rates in Iowa? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in Iowa for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in Iowa.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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