Safest Cities in Iowa

Top 73 cities ranked by safest cities

Safest Cities - Iowa

1 Carroll 40/100K
2 Eldridge 44/100K
3 Sioux Center 46/100K
4 Mount Pleasant 48/100K
5 Glenwood 57/100K
6 Spencer 61/100K
7 North Liberty 69/100K
8 Johnston 77/100K
9 Urbandale 89/100K
10 Adel 91/100K
11 Algona 94/100K
12 Le Mars 104/100K
13 Anamosa 104/100K
14 Bettendorf 105/100K
15 Norwalk 109/100K
16 Pella 110/100K
17 Asbury 116/100K
18 Decorah 119/100K
19 Denison 124/100K
20 Boone 129/100K
21 Coralville 133/100K
22 Oskaloosa 140/100K
23 Fairfield 141/100K
24 Waverly 141/100K
25 Marion 146/100K
26 Altoona 147/100K
27 Winterset 149/100K
28 Waukee 151/100K
29 Manchester 151/100K
30 Ames 154/100K
31 Independence 161/100K
32 Maquoketa 166/100K
33 West Des Moines 169/100K
34 Grinnell 169/100K
35 Ankeny 170/100K
36 Estherville 172/100K
37 Osceola 178/100K
38 Iowa Falls 201/100K
39 Oelwein 209/100K
40 Cherokee 213/100K
41 Pleasant Hill 214/100K
42 Windsor Heights 220/100K
43 Clive 220/100K
44 Washington 222/100K
45 Indianola 224/100K
46 DeWitt 250/100K
47 Clear Lake 252/100K
48 Muscatine 263/100K
49 Centerville 263/100K
50 Cedar Rapids 264/100K
51 Creston 272/100K
52 Red Oak 277/100K
53 Fort Madison 281/100K
54 Marshalltown 297/100K
55 Clarinda 303/100K
56 Storm Lake 305/100K
57 Keokuk 319/100K
58 Knoxville 325/100K
59 Spirit Lake 342/100K
60 Sheldon 352/100K
61 Hiawatha 360/100K
62 Clinton 360/100K
63 Atlantic 384/100K
64 Newton 384/100K
65 Ottumwa 405/100K
66 Dubuque 413/100K
67 Council Bluffs 421/100K
68 Burlington 427/100K
69 Perry 449/100K
70 Waterloo 484/100K
71 Davenport 581/100K
72 Des Moines 707/100K
73 Fort Dodge 1,082/100K

The safest cities in Iowa have the lowest violent crime rates, making them attractive to families and individuals seeking secure communities. Carroll leads with just 39.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

Low crime rates are associated with multiple factors including strong community bonds, well-funded police departments, economic stability, and high levels of education and employment. These cities often have active neighborhood watch programs and community policing initiatives.

Safety is consistently ranked as one of the top priorities for families choosing where to live. The cities on this list demonstrate that low crime and high quality of life often go hand in hand with strong economic conditions and community engagement.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Carroll has just 39.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents - well below the national average of about 4.0.
  • 2. The safest cities tend to have strong economies, high education levels, and active community engagement programs.
  • 3. Property crime rates in these cities are typically low as well, with most ranking below the national average across all crime categories.

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