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C-

Is Burlington, Iowa Safe?

Population 23,336 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 23,336, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Burlington earns a C- with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,267 per 100K.

Burlington Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBurlingtonIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate423.6332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1887.72075.01,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate321.0--268.2
Theft Rate1267.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate438.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

231.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

424/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1888/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Burlington

Violent crime in Burlington is above the national average. The rate of 423.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1887.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,267 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 321 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Burlington Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault321
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery106
01.7x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary359
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,267
090% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft438
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Burlington Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Burlington
423.6
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Burlington
1887.7
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington Safety

Is Burlington safe?
Not especially. Burlington earns a C- with a crime rate of 231.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Burlington?
231.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 423.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1887.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Burlington safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Burlington's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,267 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Burlington?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Burlington generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Burlington police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Burlington?
Crime rates have held steady in Burlington, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Burlington compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Burlington ranks behind about 63% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Burlington to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Burlington?
Bad. A C- grade and 231.1 per-thousand rate put Burlington below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 424 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Burlington?
423.6 per 100,000, which is 16% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (321), robbery (106), and murder (9.0) 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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