Iowa’s Safest & Most Dangerous Cities Announced

Iowa: a state known for a certain "Iowa-Nice," vast farmlands, friendly locals, and a strong sense of community. However, beneath the calm and inviting exterior, there are always areas of concern. A recent study conducted by roadsnacks.net has revealed the most recent complete FBI crime data to shed light on the most dangerous cities in Iowa, considering both violent and property crime rates per capita for places with over 5,000 residents.

Who tops the list for most dangerous Iowa city?

Topping the list is Clinton, a city with a population of 24,443. According to the data, Clinton stands out with a violent crime rate of 863 per 100,000 people, earning it the title of the second most dangerous city in terms of violent crimes. More alarming is the property crime rate, soaring to 3,735 per 100,000 people, making it the most dangerous across the state in this category. The city reports three murders, 23 rapes, 10 robberies, and 175 aggravated assaults. The numbers paint a rough picture for an otherwise beautiful area of Iowa.

Following Clinton in the rankings are Ottumwa, Davenport, Burlington, Des Moines, Keokuk, Grinnell, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, and Waterloo. Each city exhibits varying crime rates, with factors such as population size and geographical location playing a role in the overall safety landscape. In our area of the state, Dubuque came in at #18, Cedar Rapids at #20, and Iowa City at #42.

The overall analysis unveils that Iowa has a violent crime rate of 863 incidents per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 3,735 incidents per 100,000 people. These figures provide valuable insights for anyone considering a move to the Hawkeye State, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

What cities are on the flip side in Iowa?

So, you want to know where it's safest? Well, you won't have to travel far in the state as our local Asbury emerged as one of the safest cities. That should offer residents a sense of security. Here are the top 10 safest cities in Iowa.

1. Orange City (Pop. 6,195)
2. Urbandale (Pop. 46,284)
3. Eldridge (Pop. 6,770)
4. North Liberty (Pop. 21,131)
5. Decorah (Pop. 7,764)
6. Johnston (Pop. 24,295)
7. Polk City (Pop. 5,920)
8. Sioux Center (Pop. 8,340)
9. Norwalk (Pop. 14,299)
10. Asbury (Pop. 6,005)

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The research not only brings attention to the most dangerous cities but hopefully encourages local community involvement and efforts to enhance safety measures. Overall, be glad that Iowa is not really a dangerous state. It ranks as the #14 safest state in all the US based on the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Iowa is ranked at 34th most dangerous, that's almost 18% better than US average violent crime rate. Additionally, the property crime rate in the Hawkeye State ranks 33rd most dangerous in the United States or about 13% better than the US average property crime rate.

All data in this study was compiled specifically for violent crimes and property crimes per capita for Iowa cities with populations exceeding 5,000 residents. The resulting rankings provide some perspective on safety, and can be used as a tool when making informed decisions on where to live in the state.

While Iowa is overall a fairly safe state to reside in, Iowa's most dangerous cities offers a glimpse into the state's riskier areas. While some cities pose higher crime rates, it's essential to recognize the potential for improvement and help make positive transformations. It's important that you become the change you want to see and help keep your local communities safe.