Author: CrimeData.io Research Team
In a world filled with both promise and peril, understanding the areas where safety concerns loom large becomes crucial. Join us on an eye-opening expedition as we uncover the 25 most dangerous cities across Iowa. From bustling urban hubs to underprivileged neighborhoods, these communities grapple with security challenges that demand attention.
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.
County: Polk
962
Crime per 100,000 population
-66.97%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Grimes from 2012 to 2022
Grimes is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 14,842.
The total crime rate in Grimes is based on the nearest law agency agency, Urbandale Police Department (IA0770400).
Grimes total crime rate is 962 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 Grimes
County: Polk
962
Crime per 100,000 population
-66.97%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Clive from 2012 to 2022
Clive is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 18,323.
The total crime rate in Clive is based on the nearest law agency agency, Urbandale Police Department (IA0770400).
Clive total crime rate is 962 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 Clive
County: Black Hawk
997
Crime per 100,000 population
-65.74%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Cedar Falls from 2012 to 2022
Cedar Falls is an area in Black Hawk, Iowa with population of 40,500.
The total crime rate in Cedar Falls is based on the nearest law agency agency, Cedar Falls Police Department (IA0070100).
Cedar Falls total crime rate is 997 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 Cedar Falls
County: Jones
1,082
Crime per 100,000 population
-62.83%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Anamosa from 2012 to 2022
Anamosa is an area in Jones, Iowa with population of 5,332.
The total crime rate in Anamosa is based on the nearest law agency agency, Anamosa Police Department (IA0530100).
Anamosa total crime rate is 1,082 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 Anamosa
County: Page
1,082
Crime per 100,000 population
-62.82%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Clarinda from 2012 to 2022
Clarinda is an area in Page, Iowa with population of 5,498.
The total crime rate in Clarinda is based on the nearest law agency agency, Clarinda Police Department (IA0730100).
Clarinda total crime rate is 1,082 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 Clarinda
County: Madison
1,113
Crime per 100,000 population
-61.76%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Winterset from 2012 to 2022
Winterset is an area in Madison, Iowa with population of 5,309.
The total crime rate in Winterset is based on the nearest law agency agency, Winterset Police Department (IA0610100).
Winterset total crime rate is 1,113 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 Winterset
County: Polk
1,163
Crime per 100,000 population
-60.05%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Ankeny from 2012 to 2022
Ankeny is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 66,346.
The total crime rate in Ankeny is based on the nearest law agency agency, Ankeny Police Department (IA0770100).
Ankeny total crime rate is 1,163 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 Ankeny
County: Clinton
1,178
Crime per 100,000 population
-59.52%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in DeWitt from 2012 to 2022
DeWitt is an area in Clinton, Iowa with population of 5,466.
The total crime rate in DeWitt is based on the nearest law agency agency, De Witt Police Department (IA0230300).
DeWitt total crime rate is 1,178 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 DeWitt
County: Mills
1,219
Crime per 100,000 population
-58.14%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Glenwood from 2012 to 2022
Glenwood is an area in Mills, Iowa with population of 5,224.
The total crime rate in Glenwood is based on the nearest law agency agency, Glenwood Police Department (IA0650100).
Glenwood total crime rate is 1,219 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 Glenwood
County: Polk
1,299
Crime per 100,000 population
-55.37%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Pleasant Hill from 2012 to 2022
Pleasant Hill is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 10,203.
The total crime rate in Pleasant Hill is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (IA0771400).
Pleasant Hill total crime rate is 1,299 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 Pleasant Hill
County: Dubuque
1,392
Crime per 100,000 population
-52.17%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Dubuque from 2012 to 2022
Dubuque is an area in Dubuque, Iowa with population of 67,916.
The total crime rate in Dubuque is based on the nearest law agency agency, Dubuque Police Department (IA0310100).
Dubuque total crime rate is 1,392 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 Dubuque
County: Muscatine
1,600
Crime per 100,000 population
-45.06%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Muscatine from 2012 to 2022
Muscatine is an area in Muscatine, Iowa with population of 23,759.
The total crime rate in Muscatine is based on the nearest law agency agency, Muscatine Police Department (IA0700100).
Muscatine total crime rate is 1,600 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 Muscatine
County: Henry
1,613
Crime per 100,000 population
-44.59%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Mount Pleasant from 2012 to 2022
Mount Pleasant is an area in Henry, Iowa with population of 8,996.
The total crime rate in Mount Pleasant is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mount Pleasant Police Department (IA0440100).
Mount Pleasant total crime rate is 1,613 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 Mount Pleasant
County: Montgomery
1,685
Crime per 100,000 population
-42.14%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Red Oak from 2012 to 2022
Red Oak is an area in Montgomery, Iowa with population of 5,576.
The total crime rate in Red Oak is based on the nearest law agency agency, Red Oak Police Department (IA0690100).
Red Oak total crime rate is 1,685 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 Red Oak
County: Clay
1,828
Crime per 100,000 population
-37.21%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Spencer from 2012 to 2022
Spencer is an area in Clay, Iowa with population of 11,292.
The total crime rate in Spencer is based on the nearest law agency agency, Spencer Police Department (IA0210100).
Spencer total crime rate is 1,828 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 Spencer
County: Lee
2,044
Crime per 100,000 population
-29.81%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Keokuk from 2012 to 2022
Keokuk is an area in Lee, Iowa with population of 9,977.
The total crime rate in Keokuk is based on the nearest law agency agency, Keokuk Police Department (IA0560200).
Keokuk total crime rate is 2,044 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 Keokuk
County: Cerro Gordo
2,234
Crime per 100,000 population
-23.28%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Mason City from 2012 to 2022
Mason City is an area in Cerro Gordo, Iowa with population of 27,385.
The total crime rate in Mason City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mason City Police Department (IA0170200).
Mason City total crime rate is 2,234 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 Mason City
County: Polk
2,468
Crime per 100,000 population
-15.25%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Bondurant from 2012 to 2022
Bondurant is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 7,163.
The total crime rate in Bondurant is based on the nearest law agency agency, Altoona Police Department (IA0770800).
Bondurant total crime rate is 2,468 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 Bondurant
County: Polk
2,468
Crime per 100,000 population
-15.25%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Altoona from 2012 to 2022
Altoona is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 19,345.
The total crime rate in Altoona is based on the nearest law agency agency, Altoona Police Department (IA0770800).
Altoona total crime rate is 2,468 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 Altoona
County: Marshall
2,653
Crime per 100,000 population
-8.89%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Marshalltown from 2012 to 2022
Marshalltown is an area in Marshall, Iowa with population of 27,570.
The total crime rate in Marshalltown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Marshalltown Police Department (IA0640100).
Marshalltown total crime rate is 2,653 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 Marshalltown
County: Polk
2,912
Crime per 100,000 population
+0.01%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Windsor Heights from 2012 to 2022
Windsor Heights is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 5,208.
The total crime rate in Windsor Heights is based on the nearest law agency agency, Windsor Heights Police Department (IA0770600).
Windsor Heights total crime rate is 2,912 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 Windsor Heights
County: Polk
2,912
Crime per 100,000 population
+0.01%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in West Des Moines from 2012 to 2022
West Des Moines is an area in Polk, Iowa with population of 67,640.
The total crime rate in West Des Moines is based on the nearest law agency agency, Windsor Heights Police Department (IA0770600).
West Des Moines total crime rate is 2,912 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 West Des Moines
County: Warren
2,912
Crime per 100,000 population
+0.01%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Norwalk from 2012 to 2022
Norwalk is an area in Warren, Iowa with population of 12,592.
The total crime rate in Norwalk is based on the nearest law agency agency, Windsor Heights Police Department (IA0770600).
Norwalk total crime rate is 2,912 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 Norwalk
County: Des Moines
2,970
Crime per 100,000 population
+2.0%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Burlington from 2012 to 2022
Burlington is an area in Des Moines, Iowa with population of 24,160.
The total crime rate in Burlington is based on the nearest law agency agency, Burlington Police Department (IA0290100).
Burlington total crime rate is 2,970 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 Burlington
County: Linn
3,061
Crime per 100,000 population
+5.12%
vs. US average 🇺🇸
Chart of total crime rate in Cedar Rapids from 2012 to 2022
Cedar Rapids is an area in Linn, Iowa with population of 192,714.
The total crime rate in Cedar Rapids is based on the nearest law agency agency, Cedar Rapids Police Department (IA0570100).
Cedar Rapids total crime rate is 3,061 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 Cedar Rapids
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.
Shareable Link
Share this link with your friends and family to help them learn more about crime rates in Iowa.
https://crimedata.io/blog/iowa-most-dangerous-cities