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C-

Is Ames, Iowa Safe?

Population 68,220 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ames earns a C- safety grade with 230.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 71% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,692 per 100K.

Ames Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAmesIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate375.9332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1930.32075.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate245.0--268.2
Theft Rate1692.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate205.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

230.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

376/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1930/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ames

Violent crime in Ames is close to the national average. The rate of 375.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1930.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,692 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ames Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault245
091% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery94
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary213
079% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,692
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft205
064% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Ames Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ames
375.9
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ames
1930.3
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ames Safety

Is Ames safe?
Not especially. Ames earns a C- with a crime rate of 230.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ames?
230.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 375.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1930.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ames safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ames's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,692 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ames?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ames generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ames police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ames?
Crime rates have held steady in Ames, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Ames compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Ames ranks behind about 65% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Ames to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Ames?
Bad. A C- grade and 230.6 per-thousand rate put Ames below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 376 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ames?
375.9 per 100,000, which is 3% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (245), robbery (94), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

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View all Iowa city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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