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D+

Is Mason City, Iowa Safe?

Population 26,853 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Mason City is a smaller community of 26,853 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 242.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,671 per 100K.

Mason City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMason CityIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate289.1332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2132.62075.01,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate181.0--268.2
Theft Rate1671.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate380.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

242.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

289/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2133/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Mason City

Violent crime in Mason City is below the national average. The rate of 289.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2132.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,671 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Mason City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault181
067% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary375
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,671
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft380
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Mason City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mason City
289.1
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mason City
2132.6
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Mason City Safety

Is Mason City safe?
Not especially. Mason City earns a D+ with a crime rate of 242.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Mason City?
242.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 289.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2132.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Mason City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Mason City's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,671 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Mason City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Mason City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Mason City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Mason City?
Crime rates have held steady in Mason City, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Mason City compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Mason City ranks behind about 83% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Mason City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Mason City?
Bad. A D+ grade and 242.2 per-thousand rate put Mason City below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 289 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Mason City?
289.1 per 100,000, which is 21% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (181), robbery (65), and murder (6.0) 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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