Top 10 Safest Cities in Iowa

Iowa's peaceful landscape and close-knit community provide residents with a relaxing lifestyle. Yet safety may vary across the state. In this article, we explore the safest cities in Iowa, crime trends, and what residents can do to stay safe in this Midwestern treasure.

Is Iowa a Safe Place to Live?

It’s safe to say that Iowa is among the safest states in the U.S., with violent and property crime rates below the national average—2.9 and 13.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, respectively. The state’s friendly communities, strong local law enforcement, and peaceful small towns make it a secure and welcoming place to live.

Top 10 Safest Cities in Iowa

Several cities in Iowa do a great job of being safe and engaging with their community. With their low crime rates, these towns consistently rank low and are excellent places to live.

Norwalk

Norwalk is distinguished by its low crime rates, with only 0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 2.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Its reputation as a safe haven stems from the city's small-town atmosphere and the effectiveness of its law enforcement.

Sioux Center

Iowa is a state that is a model of safety, with violent crime at 0.5 incidents per 1,000 residents and property crime at 2.6 incidents per 1,000. This is a secure place in which to call home because of strong community ties and proactive policing.

Decorah

Near the picturesque setting of Decorah low crime rates make it an attractive place to live. A community-focused approach to safety here makes violent crime a measly 1.5 per 1,000 and property crime 1.3 per 1,000.

North Liberty

North Liberty's low crime rates and family-friendly environment reflect the community. 1.1 per 1,000 residents is recorded for violent crime and 3.8 per 1,000 for property crime. Community engagement and crime prevention are high priorities for the city.

Johnston

Violent crime is at 0.7 incidents occurrence per 1,000 Johnston residents and property crime drops to 6.8 per 1,000 Johnston residents. It enhances the secure environment by including public safety programs.

Urbandale

With a violent crime rate of just 1.1 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000, Urbandale takes the best of suburban living and tacks on a high level of safety. The city's community policing model makes them feel secure.

Spencer

Highly distinguished is it for its low crime rates. At a rate of 0.7 for every 1,000 residents, the city averages violent crime and 10.0 for every 1,000 residents for property crime. This ensures the safety of the city.

Waukee

Waukee is one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities, a rapidly growing city known for its commitment to safety. 1.4 per 1,000 residents reported violent crime; 7.3 per 1,000 for property crime. Resident involvement is its focus, providing security.

Pella

Pella's low crime rate is a product of its community policy. 1.3 per 1,000 residents is recorded as violent crime and 7.6 per 1,000 for property crime. The city is as safe as it is historic.

Carroll

The list ends with Carroll at 0.89 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 13.3 property crimes per 1,000. It is a friendly community along with an effective law enforcement agency makes it a safe and welcoming place.

Source: SafeWise

Crime Rate about Iowa Safety

Iowa has one of the lowest crime rates of any state in the U.S., which generally means it's one of the safer places to live in America. Iowa has a violent crime rate of 2.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, below the national average of 4.0. The state reports that there are 13.8 per 1,000 residents for property crime, less than the nationwide average of 20.7.

Rural areas and suburbs continue to have extremely low crime, but Des Moines and Davenport's urban centers contribute disproportionately to the state's crime. Yet Iowans have historically controlled crime rates through community engagement and stepped-up law enforcement.

What Crime Are Iowa Residents Concerned About Most?

Most Americans, like Iowa citizens, are bothered mostly by violent and property crimes.

Violent Crime

Iowa is struck less frequently by violent crime, such as assault and robbery, than other states. However violent crime rates are higher in cities such as Des Moines and Davenport than the state average. Economic disparities and gang activity are the majority of causes for incidents in these cities. The violent crime rates here are 2.9 incidents per every 1000 residents.

Property Crime

Iowa has the highest property crime rate in the country, with burglary and vehicle theft the most common of these types of crimes. Cities like Sioux Center and Norwalk are at the low end for property crime rates, compared with urban areas, where crime rates are generally higher. The property crime rate here is 13.8 incidents per 1000 residents.

5 Most Dangerous Cities in Iowa

Iowa is well known for its safety, but not all of its cities are without challenges, with higher crime rates because of a plethora of social ailments.

Council Bluffs

The violence in Council Bluffs is the worst on the list and the percentage of violent crime occurring per 1,000 residents is 7.9, while the rate of property crime is 58.4 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants.

Windsor Heights

According to crime reports, Windsor Heights has a violent crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 54.1 per 1,000. Community outreach and policing are being worked on to address its safety concerns.

Des Moines

As the state capital, Des Moines faces the greater crime, violent crime at 7.1 per 1,000 and property crime at 40.9 per 1,000. The gangs are being worked on to reduce their crime rate of gang activity and drug-related crimes.

Ottumwa

Ottumwa's violent crime rate (5.5 per 1,000) and property crime (41.2 per 1,000) aren't good. However local authorities are now trying to fight crime through economic development and community programs.

Davenport

Violent crime rate: 5.9 per 1,000 residents; property crime rate: 38.2 per 1,000. While these numbers remain, community initiatives are moving in the right direction when it comes to safety.

How to Stay Safe in Iowa?

Follow these tips to ensure maximum safety in Iowa:

• Install reliable home monitoring such as Duo 3 Wi-Fi security cameras.
• Make sure to lock every door and window.
• Do not leave valuables visible in cars.
• Walking alone, especially at night be alert.
• Efficient outdoor lighting can deter criminal activity.
• Join local neighborhood watch programs.

FAQs

1. Where is the Best Place to Live in Iowa?

Iowa is a great place to live, with cities like Asbury, Norwalk, and Polk City offering safety, affordability, and strong communities. Suburbs such as Urbandale and Johnston combine good schools with easy access to Des Moines.

2. What City Has the Lowest Crime Rate in Iowa?

With 0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 2.2 property crimes per 1,000 people, Norwalk is the safest city in Iowa.

Conclusion

Iowa has a blend of safe, all-American town atmosphere and urban cool. However, some cities have difficulty with higher crime rates, and they cannot be considered among the safest cities in Iowa. The state's crime rate is lower than the national average. Lacking proper information is not an option, and residents should also get proactive to prevent crimes and protect themselves in the peace and security that Iowa has to offer.