| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Iowa City/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,524 | n/a (estimate) | 2,039 | 1,618 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.3 | 1.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 18 | n/a | 24.1 | 42.5 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 29 | n/a | 38.8 | 21.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 149 | n/a | 199.3 | 220.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 197 | n/a (estimate) | 264 | 287 | 370 |
| Burglary | 173 | n/a | 231.4 | 218.6 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,018 | n/a | 1,361.9 | 965.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 136 | n/a | 181.9 | 147.4 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,327 | n/a (estimate) | 1,775 | 1,332 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Iowa City crime rate is lower than the national average by 12.3%. Specifically, there were 197 violent crimes in Iowa City, equivalent to 264 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 28.7%. Furthermore, Iowa City recorded 1327 property crimes, amounting to 1775 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 9.2%.
When assessing the total crime rate in Iowa City per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Iowa City, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
Iowa City exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1775 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Iowa City maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Iowa City. Based on the results of the surveys (45 responses), 67% of people felt that there was very little crime in Iowa City and felt safe walking alone at night. While 33% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Iowa City is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Iowa City has a total crime rate that is 12% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.18 daily crimes (0.54 violent daily crimes and 3.64 daily property crimes) in Iowa City.
Year-over-year crime rates in Iowa City has increased by 2.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Iowa City is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 17.2%, while property crime has increased by 6.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Iowa City.
In Iowa City, the poverty rate currently stands at 27.3%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Iowa City crime rates.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Iowa City, 93.1% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Iowa City has an average rental rate of $976 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.
| Item | Iowa City | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 100 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Iowa /100K | National /100K |
| Iowa | 6,040 | 205 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| University Heights, IA | 1,332 | 40 | 187 | 227 |
| Solon, IA | 2,690 | 78 | 366 | 444 |
| North Liberty, IA | 19,159 | 114 | 360 | 473 |
| Tiffin, IA | 3,779 | 89 | 413 | 502 |
| Lone Tree, IA | 1,390 | 100 | 466 | 566 |
| Riverside, IA | 1,021 | 103 | 482 | 585 |
| West Branch, IA | 2,357 | 106 | 493 | 599 |
| Iowa City, IA | 75,849 | 264 | 1,775 | 2,039 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Wyoming, MI | 75,999 | 514 | 1,728 | 2,242 |
| Baldwin Park, CA | 75,659 | 458 | 1,592 | 2,050 |
| Carmichael, CA | 75,642 | 609 | 2,855 | 3,465 |
| Baytown, TX | 76,089 | 439 | 3,905 | 4,345 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 76,106 | 1,516 | 4,502 | 6,018 |
| Iowa City, IA | 75,849 | 264 | 1,775 | 2,039 |
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