With its diverse agricultural production, Iowa has earned the title of ‘Food Capital of the World’.
Iowa, also referred to as the Hawkeye State, is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural beauty and a deep-rooted history with Native Americans.
On the flip side, the state also holds the 36th position on the list of most violent states, with an occurrence of crime taking place approximately every 5 minutes.
Iowa, with a population of 3.2 million, has been recognized as the 15th safest state in the United States. The crime rate in Iowa is 250.1 per 100,000 people, which is a testament to the state’s commitment to maintaining a secure and safe environment for its residents.
Taking this into account, we will now explore the top 10 cities in Iowa that are considered to be the most dangerous.
Most Dangerous Cities in Iowa
Keokuk
In Keokuk, a crime occurs every 18 hours and 35 minutes on average.
The crime rate in this city is a major concern, as it has been given a D+ grade with a rate of 38.84 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Residents have noted that the northern region of the city is relatively safer than the southeastern neighborhoods, with a significantly lower chance of becoming a victim of crime. In the northern part, the likelihood of experiencing criminal activity is 1 in 45, while the southeastern areas have a higher risk of 1 in 11.
According to statistics, Keokuk is ranked second in property crime, which means that there is a 1 in 15 probability of experiencing theft in this area.
Council Bluffs
When it comes to safety, Council Bluffs ranks in the 38th percentile, with a C- crime grade given to the city. This suggests that crime rates are somewhat higher in Council Bluffs compared to other cities in the United States.
According to statistics, the yearly rate of criminal activity in Council Bluffs stands at 32.04 per 1,000 individuals. Interestingly, locals tend to consider the southeastern part of the city as the most secure region.
According to statistics, Council Bluffs has the highest rate of violent crime in Iowa, with a 1 in 126 chance of becoming a victim of such crimes. Additionally, the city has the third-highest murder rate in the state, making it a concerning issue for its residents.
Theft and burglary are quite prevalent in the region, with a considerable chance of 1 in 12 of being a victim of property crime.
As per the locals, the neighborhoods in the southeast part of the city are considered to be the most secure.
Ottumwa
The city of Ottumwa has a relatively high incidence of property crime, and residents face a one in twenty-four chance of becoming a victim.
In comparison, the occurrence of violent crimes is notably lower, and the likelihood of being a victim is approximately 1 in 120.
In Ottumwa, the probability of having your car stolen is alarmingly high, with a statistic of one in 309, making it one of the cities with the highest motor vehicle theft rates in the United States.
According to residents, the northeast part of the city is considered to be the safest, although the overall safety ranking of the city falls in the 24th percentile.
According to statistics, the likelihood of falling prey to criminal activity can vary greatly depending on where you reside. For instance, those living in the western neighborhoods have a higher chance of becoming a victim, with a ratio of 1 in 14. On the other hand, those residing in the northeast neighborhoods have a much lower risk, with only a 1 in 47 chance of experiencing a crime.
Des Moines
As the biggest city in the state, it’s not unexpected that Des Moines boasts a safety rating in the 58th percentile. This indicates that a mere 42% of metropolitan areas are safer than our beloved city.
According to statistics, this city has a relatively high crime rate of 2.25 per 1,000 residents, earning it a B- crime grade. Shockingly, on average, a crime occurs in this city every 36 minutes, highlighting the pressing need for increased safety measures.
According to statistics, Des Moines experiences approximately 2.25 violent crimes per 1,000 individuals on an annual basis. Interestingly, locals tend to believe that the northern region of the city is the safest area to live in.
If you happen to live on the east side of town, there is a higher risk of becoming a victim of violent crime in comparison to the north side. The chances of falling prey to violent crime on the east side could be as high as 1 in 257, while on the north side, the probability is relatively lower at 1 in 826.
Mason City
For the past years, there has been a noticeable decline in the population of Mason City with several thousand individuals leaving the city. Additionally, the incidents of crime have been on a consistent rise during the same period.
It’s alarming to know that this town has a high frequency of violent crimes such as assault and larceny. In fact, it ranks sixth in Iowa’s list of places with the highest rate of violent crimes.
The city of Mason has a relatively high crime rate of 32 incidents per 1000 residents. Unfortunately, the chances of experiencing either a violent or property crime in this area are quite high, with odds as high as 1 in 32.
Based on both statistics and the experiences of residents, it is evident that the south side of town is considered the safest area. The likelihood of being victimized in this part of the city is significantly lower, with the odds decreasing from 1 in 12 in the central neighborhoods to 1 in 44.
Sioux City
Sioux City, with a population of 86,730 residents, is considered less safe than 86% of cities across the country, according to statistics.
Sioux City has a crime rate of 53.91 per 1000 residents. However, residents commonly perceive the northeast section of the city as the safest area.
The chances of encountering criminal activities in Sioux City can vary greatly based on the neighborhood you find yourself in.
In some parts of the northwest neighborhoods, the chances of being a victim of crime are alarmingly high, with odds as high as 1 in 9. However, the risk is relatively lower in the northeast region, where the likelihood of being a victim of crime is 1 in 35.
In Sioux City, the likelihood of experiencing a property offense, like burglary or motor vehicle theft, is relatively high. Statistics show that one’s chance of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 34.
Indianola
Indianola, with a population of 16,148, has a crime index of 19, which means that it is comparatively safer than only 19% of cities across the country.
According to statistics, this city experiences a crime every 20 hours and 30 minutes, resulting in a B- grade for its crime rate. Interestingly, it has a lower rate of violent crime compared to the national average.
The rate of property crime in Indianola is higher than the rate of the average U.S. city, with 17 incidents per 1000 residents.
Residents have reported that the northwest part of the city is regarded as the safest. The likelihood of falling prey to a crime is as low as 1 in 706, which is significantly lower than the central neighborhoods, where the chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 305.
Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, with a population of 24,769, falls within the 18th percentile for safety and unfortunately, has the highest murder rate in the state.
According to the data, the crime rate in Fort Dodge stands at 46.68 per 1,000 residents during a typical year. Interestingly, the residents tend to view the northern neighborhoods of the city as the safest.
The likelihood of encountering criminal activity in Fort Dodge varies depending on which part of the city you’re in. For instance, the chances of experiencing crime in the central neighborhoods are 1 in 13, while the northern part of the city has a lower probability of 1 in 37.
Fort Dodge has an unfortunate reputation for being plagued by crime, with incidents occurring every 6 hours and 51 minutes on average. The city’s overall crime grade of D reflects the fact that its crime rate is higher than that of many other cities across the country.
Waterloo
Waterloo has a crime index of 10 out of 100, indicating a relatively low crime rate. In fact, the city’s crime rate stands at 29.58 per 1000 residents, which is reassuringly low.
According to recent reports, the city has been given a grade of C for its overall crime rate. This suggests that the crime rate in the city is somewhat higher than the national average.
According to the general consensus among residents, the safest part of the city is typically perceived to be located in the southwest.
In some areas of Waterloo, the probability of becoming a victim of a crime is relatively high, with a chance as high as 1 in 22 in the central neighborhoods. However, in the southwest region of the city, the likelihood of experiencing a criminal incident drops significantly, with only a 1 in 57 chance of being victimized.
Fort Madison
This city has a C- overall crime grade, with an average of one crime occurring every 21 hours.
In cities with similar size and population, Fort Madison has one of the highest rates of violent crime. Shockingly, the chances of falling victim to crimes like rape, murder, manslaughter, assault, or armed robbery is as high as 1 in 143.
The rate of property crime in this city is quite high, encompassing various crimes such as burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
According to statistics, there is a 1 in 143 chance of falling prey to one of these crimes.
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