CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan

Crime Rates and Safety in Iowa

Iowa is consistently one of the safer states. Des Moines and a few other cities account for most of the crime volume, while the majority of communities report rates well below national averages.

41 cities tracked. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Avg Violent Crime Rate
332per 100K (below national avg of 363.8)
Avg Property Crime Rate
2075per 100K (above national avg of 1,832.3)

All 41 Cities in Iowa

CityGrade
Des Moines
D-
Cedar Rapids
D
Davenport
D
Sioux City
D
Ankeny
D-
Iowa City
D
West Des Moines
C-
Ames
C-
Waterloo
C
Council Bluffs
D
Dubuque
C-
Urbandale
D
Marion
D
Cedar Falls
D
Bettendorf
D-
Waukee
D
Marshalltown
D+
Mason City
D+
Ottumwa
C
Johnston
C
Fort Dodge
D+
Clinton
C-
Coralville
D+
Burlington
C-
Muscatine
D
Altoona
D
North Liberty
D
Clive
C
Grimes
C-
Indianola
D+
Newton
D+
Norwalk
C+
Boone
C+
Storm Lake
C+
Oskaloosa
D+
Pleasant Hill
C+
Spencer
C
Pella
D+
Le Mars
C+
Waverly
C
Carroll
C+

Neighboring States

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Safety

What is the safest city in Iowa?
Le Mars, with a C+ grade and a crime rate of 187.6 per 1,000 residents. It ranks above 47% of all US cities.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for crime?
Iowa runs below the national average for violent crime, at 332 per 100K vs. the national 363.8. Property crime averages 2075 per 100K (national: 1,832.3).
Which city in Iowa has the most crime?
Bettendorf has the highest crime rate among tracked Iowa cities, with a D- grade and 277.3 crimes per 1,000 residents.
How many cities are tracked in Iowa?
41 cities with available FBI UCR crime data.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities