C+
37%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
0%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
44%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleHiawatha/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime97n/a (estimate)1,3421,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape1n/a13.835.237.5
Robbery0n/a0.018.760.6
Assault25n/a345.8187.2256.1
Violent crime26n/a (estimate)360243359
Burglary10n/a138.3199.1229.2
Theft54n/a746.9962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft7n/a96.8135.1258.8
Property crime71n/a (estimate)9821,2971,760

Hiawatha crime map

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The Hiawatha crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Hiawatha as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Hiawatha crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Hiawatha crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Hiawatha, IA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Hiawatha is 36.7% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 26 violent crimes reported in Hiawatha, equivalent to 360 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 0.1%. Additionally, Hiawatha recorded 71 property crimes, amounting to 982 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 44.2%.

Hiawatha exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 360 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Hiawatha as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.

In the most recently reported crime year, Hiawatha registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

Is Hiawatha a Safe Place to Live?

Is Hiawatha a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Hiawatha has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 37%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.27 daily incidents, encompassing 0.07 violent crimes and 0.19 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Hiawatha as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Hiawatha Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Hiawatha has increased by 14.1%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Hiawatha, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has didn't change by 0%, while property crime has increased by 20.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Hiawatha is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Hiawatha

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Hiawatha crime rates. The population density in Hiawatha is 1656.8 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Hiawatha, the cost of living is 11.94% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Hiawatha, the average monthly rent stands at $1,146, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Compare Hiawatha, IA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Hiawatha crime rates are 37% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Hiawatha are equal to the national average
      • In Hiawatha you have a 1 in 75 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Hiawatha is safer than 32% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Hiawatha has decreased by 31%

      Hiawatha, IA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Hiawatha (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Hiawatha, per 100,000 residents. In Hiawatha, the total number of daily crimes is 1.15 times less than the Iowa average and 1.58 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Hiawatha are 1.48 times more than the Iowa average and 1.00 times more than the national average. For property crime, Hiawatha has a daily crime rate that is 1.32 times less than the Iowa average and 1.79 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Hiawatha (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Hiawatha to every other city in Iowa, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Hiawatha safe? The gauges above illustrate that Hiawatha is safer than 20% of every city located within Iowa along with 32% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Iowa and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Hiawatha, IA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Hiawatha

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Hiawatha is 1 in 279
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Hiawatha is 1 in 102
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Hiawatha is 1 in 75
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Hiawatha, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 279. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 102 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Hiawatha is 1 in 75.

        Year Over Year Crime In Hiawatha (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Hiawatha is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Hiawatha has decreased by 20%, while the property crime rate in Hiawatha has decreased by 34% year over year. The number of total crimes in Hiawatha has decreased by 31% year over year.

        Hiawatha police department

        Item Hiawatha Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)123,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.71.83.3
        There are a total of 12 Hiawatha police officers. This results in 1.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 6.7% less than the Iowa average and 48.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Iowa

        State Total offenders Iowa /100K National /100K
        Iowa6,040205266
        There are a total of 6,040 sex offenders in Iowa. This yields a total of 205 sex offenders in Iowa per 100,000 residents which is 23% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Urbana, IA1,508000
        Walford, IA1,36835187222
        Atkins, IA2,13741217257
        Fairfax, IA2,87143227270
        Ely, IA2,27250267317
        Swisher, IA1,09652276327
        Palo, IA1,02553281334
        Hiawatha, IA7,6653609821,342

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Clarkston, WA7,6644684,5455,014
        Woodlake, VA7,6641329481,079
        Lake Lorraine, FL7,67087462549
        Sudden Valley, WA7,6702241,6961,921
        Sanibel, FL7,66087462549
        Hiawatha, IA7,6653609821,342
        Source: The Hiawatha, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.