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C

Is Waterloo, Iowa Safe?

Population 66,919 · Safer than 31% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Waterloo, Iowa sits below average for US cities. The C grade comes from a 224.2 crime rate per 1,000 and violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,401 per 100K.

Waterloo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWaterlooIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate368.0332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1874.12075.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate273.0--268.2
Theft Rate1401.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate328.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

224.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

368/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1874/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Waterloo

Violent crime in Waterloo is close to the national average. The rate of 368.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1874.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,401 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Waterloo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault273
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary338
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,401
0100% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft328
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Waterloo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waterloo
368.0
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waterloo
1874.1
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterloo Safety

Is Waterloo safe?
Not especially. Waterloo earns a C with a crime rate of 224.2 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 Waterloo?
224.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 368.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1874.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Waterloo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Waterloo's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,401 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Waterloo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Waterloo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Waterloo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Waterloo?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Waterloo's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Waterloo compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Waterloo ranks behind about 72% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Waterloo to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Waterloo?
Bad. A C grade and 224.2 per-thousand rate put Waterloo below 69% of US cities. Violent crime at 368 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Waterloo?
368.0 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (273), robbery (63), and murder (7.0) 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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