A+
80%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
87%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
78%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleNorwalk/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime69n/a (estimate)4651,7212,281
Murder2n/a13.52.55.7
Rape2n/a13.541.338.0
Robbery0n/a0.022.366.5
Assault3n/a20.2213.9264.1
Violent crime7n/a (estimate)47280364
Burglary14n/a94.3218.6250.7
Theft46n/a309.71,056.81,347.2
Vehicle theft2n/a13.5165.2318.7
Property crime62n/a (estimate)4171,4411,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Norwalk, IA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Norwalk crime rate is 88.6% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Norwalk, there were 8 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 56 per 100,000 individuals, 84.9% lower than the national average. Additionally, Norwalk recorded 30 property crimes, amounting to 210 per 100,000 residents, 89.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Norwalk has a crime rate of 266, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Norwalk being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

Norwalk distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 56 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Norwalk among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Norwalk reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

Since 1990, property crime rates per 100,000 people in the United States have steadily decreased. Recently, the average did increase slightly. Having said that, Norwalk has a property crime rate that is well below the national average with only 210 reported property crimes compared to the national average of 1954. Based on this report, Norwalk remains a very safe place to live with regards to property crime.

Is Norwalk a Safe Place to Live?

Is Norwalk 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, Norwalk has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 89%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.1 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.08 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Norwalk as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Norwalk Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Norwalk. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Norwalk has increased by 100%. Violent crimes have increased by 33.3%, while property crimes have increased by 130.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Norwalk

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Norwalk, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

In Norwalk, the cost of living is 7.87% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

Norwalk has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 1.65 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

Norwalk crime map



The Norwalk crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Norwalk 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 Norwalk crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Norwalk 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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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Norwalk crime rates are 80% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Norwalk are 87% lower than the national average
      • In Norwalk you have a 1 in 216 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Norwalk is safer than 93% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Norwalk has increased by 75%

      Norwalk, IA Crime Quiz

      • 1. Which city in Iowa has the least crime per 100,000 people?
      • 2. Which city in Iowa has the most crime per 100,000 people?
      • 3. How many crimes (per 100,000 people) occur in Norwalk each year?
      • 4. Is the Norwalk crime rate higher or lower than the Iowa average?
      • 5. Norwalk is safer than 98% of all other cities in Iowa.
       
      1 / 5

      Safest Places to Live in and Around Norwalk

      50 km
      30 mi
      Norwalk Your current location Population: 11,467 A+ Cumming City: 2.8mi / 4.5km away Population: 536 A+ Urbandale City: 9.3mi / 15.0km away Population: 43,879 A+ Waukee City: 11.3mi / 18.3km away Population: 22,598 A+ Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood: 7.2mi / 11.6km away Population: 5,358 A Salisbury Oaks Neighborhood: 6.1mi / 9.8km away Population: 1,209 A Waterbury Neighborhood: 6.7mi / 10.7km away Population: 2,817 A Westwood Neighborhood: 6.0mi / 9.6km away Population: 1,556 A Linden Heights Neighborhood: 5.8mi / 9.4km away Population: 441 A Greenwood Neighborhood: 6.3mi / 10.2km away Population: 1,101 A Southwestern Hills Neighborhood: 4.1mi / 6.7km away Population: 5,139 A- Ingersoll Park Neighborhood: 6.8mi / 10.9km away Population: 641 A- Waveland Park Neighborhood: 7.6mi / 12.3km away Population: 3,156 A- Waveland Woods Neighborhood: 7.2mi / 11.7km away Population: 922 B+ Clive City: 9.7mi / 15.7km away Population: 17,246 B Beaverdale Neighborhood: 8.8mi / 14.1km away Population: 9,096 B Sherman Hill Neighborhood: 7.5mi / 12.1km away Population: 1,633 B West Des Moines City: 5.9mi / 9.5km away Population: 66,724 B- Arbor Peaks Neighborhood: 6.7mi / 10.8km away Population: 1,094 C+ Martensdale City: 8.4mi / 13.5km away Population: 504 C Windsor Heights City: 7.8mi / 12.5km away Population: 4,889 C Merle Hay Neighborhood: 8.8mi / 14.1km away Population: 9,321 C- Patterson City: 13.4mi / 21.6km away Population: 242 C- Bloomfield-Allen Neighborhood: 7.4mi / 11.9km away Population: 9,066 C- Spring Hill City: 6.1mi / 9.9km away Population: 48 C- Greater South Side Neighborhood: 5.6mi / 9.0km away Population: 8,597 D+
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      Daily Crime In Norwalk (per 100,000 people)

      The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Norwalk, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Norwalk are 3.70 times less than the Iowa average and 4.91 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Norwalk are 5.94 times less than than Iowa and 7.72 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Norwalk are 3.45 times less than than Iowa and 4.59 times less than the national average.

      How Safe is Norwalk (higher is better)

      Compared to the other cities in Iowa and all other cities across the US, is Norwalk safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Norwalk is safer than 98% of other cities in the state of Iowa. In addition, Norwalk is safer than 93% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Iowa and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Norwalk. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Norwalk is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

      Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Norwalk

      The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Norwalk is 1 in 2122
      The chance of being a victim of property crime in Norwalk is 1 in 240
      The chance of being a victim of crime in Norwalk is 1 in 216
      Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Norwalk, Iowa? If you reside in Norwalk, then there is a 1 in 2122 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 240. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 216 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Norwalk.

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

      An ideal indicator of whether Norwalk is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Norwalk has decreased by 16% and the rate of property crime in Norwalk has increased by 99%. The total crime rate in Norwalk has increased by 75% year to year.

      Norwalk police department

      Item Norwalk Iowa National
      Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)153,827558,732
      Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.71.83.3
      There are a total of 15 Norwalk police officers. This results in 1.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 8.3% less than the Iowa average and 49.2% 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
      Van Meter, IA1,38663063
      Saylorville, IA2,74373377451
      Dallas Center, IA1,71076391467
      Cumming, IA536113582695
      Johnston, IA22,077102701803
      Urbandale, IA43,879129699829
      Grimes, IA13,746136700836
      Norwalk, IA11,46747417465

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Milford, DE11,4638703,5444,414
      Piedmont, CA11,4542834,2184,501
      Lyndon, KY11,4511562,7682,925
      Madison Heights, VA11,4473022,1202,422
      Grantsville, UT11,488215352567
      Norwalk, IA11,46747417465
      Source: The Norwalk, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. 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.