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D

Is Marion, Iowa Safe?

Population 42,732 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Marion 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 257.2 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,896 per 100K.

Marion Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMarionIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate419.3332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2152.62075.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate272.0--268.2
Theft Rate1896.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate546.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

257.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

419/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2153/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Marion

Violent crime in Marion is above the national average. The rate of 419.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2152.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,896 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Marion Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault272
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery85
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary255
095% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,896
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft546
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Marion Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Marion
419.3
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Marion
2152.6
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Marion Safety

Is Marion safe?
Not especially. Marion earns a D with a crime rate of 257.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Marion?
257.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 419.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2152.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Marion safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Marion's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,896 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Marion?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Marion generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Marion police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Marion?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Marion's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Marion compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Marion ranks behind about 74% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Marion to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Marion?
Bad. A D grade and 257.2 per-thousand rate put Marion below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 419 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Marion?
419.3 per 100,000, which is 15% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (272), robbery (85), and murder (5.0) 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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