10 Most Dangerous Cities in Iowa (2025 Update)

Have you ever wondered which places in the Hawkeye State see the most crime? Iowa looks calm when you drive past its cornfields, yet the numbers show a different story inside a few busy towns.

This guide walks you through the 10 most dangerous cities in Iowa, tells you why we ranked them this way, and shares useful safety tips. By the end, you will know what is the most dangerous city in Iowa.

Is Iowa Safe?

Overall, Iowa reports far less crime than many other states. The latest FBI-based data say Iowa’s violent-crime rate stands at 287 incidents per 100,000 people, about 25 percent below the U.S. average. Property crime is also lower at 1,332 incidents per 100,000 people, roughly one-third under the national figure.

Murder remains scarce—second-lowest nationwide—and robbery is the seventh-lowest. Even so, crime is not spread evenly. A few cities post rates two to three times higher than the state norm, pulling Iowa’s rank downward when analysts list the Midwest’s problem spots.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Iowa

Iowa has more than 940 cities, but violent-crime risk rises fast once you enter the following top 10 most dangerous cities in Iowa.

1. Clinton

Clinton tops the list with 788 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and more than 3,394 total crimes per 100,000. Local police logged 3 murders, 145 assaults, 28 rapes, and 16 robberies last year. In simple terms, people here face a 1-in-127 chance of becoming a violent victim each year. Property crime also hurts the city, running at 2,606 per 100,000.

2. Des Moines

Iowa’s capital records a violent-crime rate of 707 per 100,000—153 percent above the state mark—and 4,056 total crimes per 100,000. Assault remains the chief problem, followed by robbery. A person in Des Moines has a 1-in-141 chance of suffering a violent incident each year, and car thefts rise every summer.

3. Davenport

With 691 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 4,501 total crimes per 100,000, Davenport ranks third. That equals almost 1.89 violent incidents every day. Shootings cluster near the downtown riverfront, but even west-side suburbs see car break-ins. Local nonprofits pair with law enforcement on cease-fire talks and job training, hoping to change the numbers in 2025.

4. Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge posts 684 violent crimes per 100,000 and 4,019 total crimes per 100,000. Assault makes up three-quarters of violence here; robbery and rape split most of the rest. The 1-in-146 odds of victimization concern citizens, especially after dark near Central Avenue. Officials link crime to low median wages and vacant housing. A new small-business grant scheme aims to bring foot traffic and better lighting to the core.

5. Waverly

At number five, Waverly may surprise many Iowans. Its 652 violent crimes per 100,000 come out 133 percent higher than the state average, even though only about 10,000 people live there. Residents face a 1-in-153 annual chance of violent harm. Most cases involve aggravated assault after bar hours on weekends. Police now partner with local colleges to host conflict-resolution workshops and mental-health outreach nights.

6. Waterloo

Waterloo logs 575 violent crimes per 100,000 and 2,666 total crimes per 100,000. While below Des Moines’ totals, the city still sits 106 percent above Iowa’s violent-crime average. A person’s chance of violence is 1 in 174. Gang rivalries rooted in the late 1990s continue to flare, especially on the east side. Community rallies and public-school mentoring try to break those cycles.

7. Sioux City

Sioux City shows 572 violent crimes per 100,000—about 104 percent higher than Iowa overall—and 4,125 total crimes per 100,000. Assaults (385) and robberies (93) dominate the log, while police solved seven homicides last year. Riverboat tourism and three-state trucking routes add transient crime, straining resources. Leaders are now expanding surveillance cameras around the stockyards district.

8. Burlington

Burlington’s 550 violent-crime rate per 100,000 pairs with 2,822 total crimes per 100,000. Assaults reached 482, yet the city recorded no homicides in 2023. The 1-in-182 chance of violent crime still worries merchants on Jefferson Street. Police push problem-property ordinances to curb vacant-house thefts that mask larger drug trades.

9. Knoxville

Knoxville may hold popular racing events, but its 514 violent crimes per 100,000 put it ninth. Residents have a 1-in-195 risk of violent harm, and property crime stands at 1,975 per 100,000. Economic strains after factory closures linger. The city council directs federal grants toward youth centers and after-school sport leagues to steer kids away from trouble.

10. Centerville

Centerville rounds out the list with 494 violent crimes per 100,000 and 2,622 total crimes per 100,000. Assault accounts for 418 of those incidents; rape adds 76. No robberies or murders were logged, yet the 1-in-202 odds of violence remain nearly double the state norm. Police cite substance abuse and limited social-service access as root causes. New county health outreach clinics hope to ease that pattern.

How We Ranked the Most Dangerous City in Iowa?

We followed clear, measurable steps:

• Violent crime rate per 100,000 (weight 50 percent).
• Property-crime rate per 100,000 (weight 20 percent).
• Chance of victimization stated as “1 in X” (weight 10 percent).
• Population threshold of 5,000 to allow stable comparisons (weight 10 percent).
• Year-over-year change in total crime to spot rising trouble (weight 5 percent).

Crime Rate in Iowa: Latest Update

Before we plan for safety, we need to see the wider picture. A quick look at the newest statewide numbers shows how Iowa’s overall crime trends compare with the hot spots we just covered.

• Violent crime: 287 per 100,000 (25 percent below U.S. average).
• Murder rate: 2.3 per 100,000—second-lowest nationwide.
• Robbery rate: 25 per 100,000—seventh-lowest.
• Aggravated assault: 203 per 100,000 statewide.
• Property crime: 1,332 per 100,000 (32 percent below U.S. average).
• Motor-vehicle theft: 193 per 100,000—below national rise.

How to Stay Safe in Iowa’s Most Dangerous Cities?

Numbers alone do not keep anyone safe. Now let’s turn those facts into simple, practical steps you can use to protect yourself if you live in or visit any of Iowa’s riskiest cities.

• Stay alert in high-crime blocks: Know which neighborhoods record the most incidents and avoid late-night walks there.
• Lock vehicles and homes: Many thefts come from unlocked doors; simple steps cut risk.
• Keep valuables out of sight: Phones, wallets, and bags left in cars invite smash-and-grab crimes.
• Use well-lit routes: Stick to bright streets and main roads after dusk.
• Travel in groups: Two or more people deter robbers and help in emergencies.

If you live in a high-crime area, installing a security camera is a smart way to help protect your property.

FAQs

What is the most dangerous city in Iowa?

The newest FBI-based data places Clinton at the top. It records 788 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and faces deep challenges with assault and property theft.

Is Iowa City safe?

Iowa City reports 353 violent crimes per 100,000, higher than the state average but far below the ten cities listed here. Students and visitors still need normal urban caution, yet overall, the college town remains safer than many Midwestern metros.

What city has the highest crime rate in Iowa?

If you measure total crime (violent + property), Des Moines takes the lead at 4,056 incidents per 100,000 people, though its violent-crime rate sits slightly under Clinton’s.

Where does Iowa rank in crime?

Iowa ranks 31st for violent crime and 44th for property crime among the 50 U.S. states, meaning it stays below the national average but still shows pockets of danger.

Conclusion

Iowa as a whole stays safer than many parts of the country, yet a handful of local hot spots push crime figures upward. Clinton, Des Moines, and Davenport lead the list, with smaller towns like Waverly and Centerville proving that size alone does not keep trouble away. We ranked each place using fresh FBI data and clear criteria so you can see how the numbers stack up.

Use the safety tips we shared, and keep an eye on local reports if you live in or visit any of the most dangerous cities in Iowa. What do you think—did any city on our list surprise you? Share your thoughts and your own safety advice below.