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D-

Is Ankeny, Iowa Safe?

Population 77,833 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ankeny has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 276.9 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,566 per 100K.

Ankeny Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAnkenyIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate438.7332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2330.22075.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate248.0--268.2
Theft Rate1566.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate404.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

276.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

439/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2330/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ankeny

Violent crime in Ankeny is above the national average. The rate of 438.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2330.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,566 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ankeny Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault248
092% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery102
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary357
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,566
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft404
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ankeny Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ankeny
438.7
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ankeny
2330.2
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ankeny Safety

Is Ankeny safe?
Not especially. Ankeny earns a D- with a crime rate of 276.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ankeny?
276.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 438.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2330.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ankeny safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ankeny's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,566 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ankeny?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ankeny generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ankeny police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ankeny?
Crime rates have held steady in Ankeny, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D- grade.
How does Ankeny compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Ankeny ranks behind about 85% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Ankeny to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Ankeny?
Bad. A D- grade and 276.9 per-thousand rate put Ankeny below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 439 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ankeny?
438.7 per 100,000, which is 21% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (248), robbery (102), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Iowa

Similar-sized communities in Iowa. Compare crime rates across the state.

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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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