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C

Is Spencer, Iowa Safe?

Population 11,218 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 11,218, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Spencer earns a C with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,687 per 100K.

Spencer Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSpencerIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate258.8332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1934.12075.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate203.0--268.2
Theft Rate1687.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate201.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

219.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

259/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1934/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Spencer

Violent crime in Spencer is below the national average. The rate of 258.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1934.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,687 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Spencer Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault203
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary229
085% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,687
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft201
063% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Spencer Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Spencer
258.8
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Spencer
1934.1
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Spencer Safety

Is Spencer safe?
Not especially. Spencer earns a C with a crime rate of 219.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Spencer?
219.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 258.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1934.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Spencer safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Spencer's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,687 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Spencer?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Spencer generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Spencer police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Spencer?
Crime rates have held steady in Spencer, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Spencer compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Spencer ranks behind about 63% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Spencer 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 Spencer?
Bad. A C grade and 219.3 per-thousand rate put Spencer below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 259 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Spencer?
258.8 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (203), robbery (36), 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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