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D

Is Cedar Rapids, Iowa Safe?

Population 137,935 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Cedar Rapids has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 261.8 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,936 per 100K.

Cedar Rapids Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCedar RapidsIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate317.8332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2299.92075.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate182.0--268.2
Theft Rate1936.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate322.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

261.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

318/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2300/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Cedar Rapids

Violent crime in Cedar Rapids is close to the national average. The rate of 317.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2299.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,936 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Cedar Rapids Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault182
068% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary265
098% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,936
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft322
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Cedar Rapids Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cedar Rapids
317.8
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cedar Rapids
2299.9
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Rapids Safety

Is Cedar Rapids safe?
Not especially. Cedar Rapids earns a D with a crime rate of 261.8 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 Cedar Rapids?
261.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 317.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2299.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Cedar Rapids safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Cedar Rapids's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,936 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Cedar Rapids generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Cedar Rapids police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Cedar Rapids?
No. Crime in Cedar Rapids has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Cedar Rapids ranks behind about 83% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Cedar Rapids to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Cedar Rapids?
Bad. A D grade and 261.8 per-thousand rate put Cedar Rapids below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 318 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Cedar Rapids?
317.8 per 100,000, which is 13% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (182), robbery (62), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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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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