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D+

Is Newton, Iowa Safe?

Population 15,741 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 15,741, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Newton earns a D+ with violent crime below the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,745 per 100K.

Newton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNewtonIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate260.2332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2255.02075.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate154.0--268.2
Theft Rate1745.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate553.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

260/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2255/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Newton

Violent crime in Newton is below the national average. The rate of 260.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2255.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,745 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Newton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault154
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery47
074% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary393
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,745
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft553
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Newton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newton
260.2
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newton
2255.0
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Newton Safety

Is Newton safe?
Not especially. Newton earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Newton?
251.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 260.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2255.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Newton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Newton's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,745 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Newton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Newton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Newton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Newton?
No. Crime in Newton has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Newton compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Newton ranks behind about 75% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Newton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Newton?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.5 per-thousand rate put Newton below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 260 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Newton?
260.2 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (154), robbery (47), and murder (4.0) 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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