Safest Cities in Iowa

Top 86 cities ranked by safest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · United States · Iowa

Safest Cities — Iowa

1 Orange City 16.1 per 1K

2 Polk City 20.0 per 1K

3 Eldridge 28.7 per 1K

4 Norwalk 33.7 per 1K

5 Sioux Center 39.0 per 1K

6 Clive 40.5 per 1K

7 Waukee 61.8 per 1K

8 Urbandale 62.9 per 1K

9 Spencer 63.6 per 1K

10 Carroll 92.1 per 1K

11 Fairfield 95.2 per 1K

12 Pella 96.8 per 1K

13 Charles City 109.1 per 1K

14 Ankeny 109.2 per 1K

15 Pleasant Hill 109.3 per 1K

16 Altoona 119.3 per 1K

17 Bondurant 119.3 per 1K

18 Decorah 119.5 per 1K

19 Cedar Falls 122.3 per 1K

20 Bettendorf 124.4 per 1K

21 Anamosa 126.3 per 1K

22 Johnston 127.7 per 1K

23 Mount Pleasant 137.2 per 1K

24 DeWitt 155.3 per 1K

25 Estherville 160.5 per 1K

26 Knoxville 164.3 per 1K

27 Marion 167.4 per 1K

28 Sergeant Bluff 180.3 per 1K

29 West Des Moines 186.0 per 1K

30 Dubuque 189.7 per 1K

31 Muscatine 197.3 per 1K

32 Ames 197.8 per 1K

33 Grimes 198.4 per 1K

34 Manchester 201.7 per 1K

35 Adel 214.2 per 1K

36 Iowa City 215.8 per 1K

37 Winterset 217.1 per 1K

38 Iowa Falls 219.7 per 1K

39 Denison 225.8 per 1K

40 Centerville 238.1 per 1K

41 Le Mars 239.6 per 1K

42 Asbury 248.2 per 1K

43 Maquoketa 251.2 per 1K

44 Cedar Rapids 257.5 per 1K

45 Windsor Heights 265.5 per 1K

46 Perry 269.5 per 1K

47 Sheldon 276.2 per 1K

48 Boone 289.2 per 1K

49 Cherokee 290.5 per 1K

50 Oelwein 305.8 per 1K

51 Clinton 308.2 per 1K

52 Coralville 313.1 per 1K

53 Creston 334.0 per 1K

54 Atlantic 337.7 per 1K

55 Tiffin 345.1 per 1K

56 North Liberty 348.5 per 1K

57 Independence 361.5 per 1K

58 Newton 364.0 per 1K

59 Hiawatha 376.3 per 1K

60 Algona 388.0 per 1K

61 Marshalltown 388.9 per 1K

62 Storm Lake 393.1 per 1K

63 Clear Lake 410.3 per 1K

64 Nevada 415.2 per 1K

65 Webster City 416.5 per 1K

66 Grinnell 417.9 per 1K

67 Fort Dodge 421.3 per 1K

68 Waverly 431.9 per 1K

69 Sioux City 444.5 per 1K

70 Clarinda 448.4 per 1K

71 Waterloo 451.8 per 1K

72 Osceola 459.4 per 1K

73 Oskaloosa 473.1 per 1K

74 Glenwood 488.6 per 1K

75 Ottumwa 547.2 per 1K

76 Spirit Lake 588.6 per 1K

77 Davenport 594.8 per 1K

78 Red Oak 624.2 per 1K

79 Burlington 628.8 per 1K

80 Mason City 652.4 per 1K

81 Washington 656.2 per 1K

82 Fort Madison 664.0 per 1K

83 Indianola 708.4 per 1K

84 Des Moines 712.1 per 1K

85 Council Bluffs 789.7 per 1K

86 Keokuk 873.0 per 1K

The safest cities in Iowa have the lowest violent crime rates, making them attractive to families and individuals seeking secure communities. Orange City leads with just 16.1 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. Orange City has just 16.1 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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