Safest Places to Live in Iowa of September 2026
ElitePersonalFinance
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Living •
Last Update: September 1, 2026
Iowa is a state situated in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. However, the territory of Iowa itself is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River on the west.
The presence of three great rivers and the fact that there are many plains in Iowa (or rather, Iowa itself is a big plain) create perfect corn cultivation conditions. That is why Iowa is the corn capital of the United States. For instance, it produces three times more corn than Mexico, which says a lot about the importance of this state’s agriculture for the entire United States. However, Iowa’s economy depends on diverse fields, such as advanced manufacturing, financial services, processing, information technology, biotechnology, and green energy production.
The capital and the largest city of Iowa is Des Moines, with around 215,000 residents. Iowa is the 30th most populous state in the US, with over 3.1 million residents.
Ranking Criteria
ElitePersonalFinance extracted the latest data from the FBI crime statistics in the United States. We took violent crime as the main criteria. To get our score, we used this formula:
Crime Score = ( Total Number of Violent Crimes / Population ) * 1,000
This way, safer cities got the lowest score, and those more vulnerable to crimes got higher scores.
The cities that did not report crimes to the FBI and those under 5,000 residents were not included in the list.
10 Safest Places in Iowa of September 2026
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Polk City | Population:5013 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,20 |
| Rank:2 | City:Eldridge | Population:6972 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,29 |
| Rank:3 | City:Norwalk | Population:11871 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:0,34 |
| Rank:4 | City:Sioux Center | Population:7688 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:0,39 |
| Rank:5 | City:Clive | Population:17305 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:0,40 |
| Rank:6 | City:Waukee | Population:24255 | Total Number of Crimes:15 | Crime Score:0,62 |
| Rank:7 | City:Urbandale | Population:44541 | Total Number of Crimes:28 | Crime Score:0,63 |
| Rank:8 | City:Spencer | Population:11008 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:0,64 |
| Rank:9 | City:Carroll | Population:9775 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:0,92 |
| Rank:10 | City:Pella | Population:10334 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:0,97 |
Crime Score in All Cities in Iowa of September 2026
If your city didn’t make our list, you could see our full list of Iowa cities.
We can’t compare crime rates in small and large cities. That’s why ElitePersonalFinance made a detailed analysis and narrowed the results according to population segments:
- Under 3,000 Residents
- 3,000 – 10,000 Residents
- 10,000 – 30,000 Residents
- Over 30,000 Residents
(Other sites don’t include places with under 3,000 residents, but we included them.)
These are the results that we got:
Under 3,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Prairie City | Population:1736 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,58 |
| Rank:2 | City:Clarion | Population:2729 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,73 |
| Rank:3 | City:Sac City | Population:2056 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,97 |
| Rank:4 | City:Lansing | Population:941 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:1,06 |
| Rank:5 | City:Bloomfield | Population:2700 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:1,48 |
| Rank:6 | City:Postville | Population:2065 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:1,94 |
| Rank:7 | City:Audubon | Population:1883 | Total Number of Crimes:6 | Crime Score:3,19 |
| Rank:8 | City:Hawarden | Population:2479 | Total Number of Crimes:8 | Crime Score:3,23 |
| Rank:9 | City:Onawa | Population:2762 | Total Number of Crimes:11 | Crime Score:3,98 |
| Rank:10 | City:Lake City | Population:1649 | Total Number of Crimes:8 | Crime Score:4,85 |
| Rank:11 | City:Missouri Valley | Population:2609 | Total Number of Crimes:13 | Crime Score:4,98 |
| Rank:12 | City:West Burlington | Population:2882 | Total Number of Crimes:16 | Crime Score:5,55 |
| Rank:13 | City:Tama | Population:2730 | Total Number of Crimes:21 | Crime Score:7,69 |
3,000 – 10,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Humboldt | Population:4578 | Total Number of Crimes:0 | Crime Score:0,00 |
| Rank:2 | City:Polk City | Population:5013 | Total Number of Crimes:1 | Crime Score:0,20 |
| Rank:3 | City:Eldridge | Population:6972 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,29 |
| Rank:4 | City:Sioux Center | Population:7688 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:0,39 |
| Rank:5 | City:Mount Vernon | Population:4449 | Total Number of Crimes:2 | Crime Score:0,45 |
| Rank:6 | City:Jefferson | Population:4123 | Total Number of Crimes:3 | Crime Score:0,73 |
| Rank:7 | City:Carroll | Population:9775 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:0,92 |
| Rank:8 | City:Hampton | Population:4207 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:0,95 |
| Rank:9 | City:Charles City | Population:7334 | Total Number of Crimes:8 | Crime Score:1,09 |
| Rank:10 | City:Osage | Population:3538 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:1,13 |
| Rank:11 | City:Dyersville | Population:4245 | Total Number of Crimes:5 | Crime Score:1,18 |
| Rank:12 | City:Decorah | Population:7529 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:1,20 |
| Rank:13 | City:Williamsburg | Population:3159 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:1,27 |
| Rank:14 | City:Mount Pleasant | Population:8749 | Total Number of Crimes:12 | Crime Score:1,37 |
| Rank:15 | City:Shenandoah | Population:4859 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,44 |
| Rank:16 | City:Harlan | Population:4796 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,46 |
| Rank:17 | City:Monticello | Population:3898 | Total Number of Crimes:6 | Crime Score:1,54 |
| Rank:18 | City:DeWitt | Population:5153 | Total Number of Crimes:8 | Crime Score:1,55 |
| Rank:19 | City:Estherville | Population:5609 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:1,60 |
| Rank:20 | City:Carlisle | Population:4334 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,62 |
| Rank:21 | City:Forest City | Population:4036 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:1,73 |
| Rank:22 | City:Sergeant Bluff | Population:4993 | Total Number of Crimes:9 | Crime Score:1,80 |
| Rank:23 | City:Vinton | Population:5074 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:1,97 |
| Rank:24 | City:Manchester | Population:4958 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:2,02 |
| Rank:25 | City:Story City | Population:3362 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:2,08 |
| Rank:26 | City:Adel | Population:5136 | Total Number of Crimes:11 | Crime Score:2,14 |
| Rank:27 | City:Emmetsburg | Population:3691 | Total Number of Crimes:8 | Crime Score:2,17 |
| Rank:28 | City:Iowa Falls | Population:5006 | Total Number of Crimes:11 | Crime Score:2,20 |
| Rank:29 | City:Denison | Population:8415 | Total Number of Crimes:19 | Crime Score:2,26 |
| Rank:30 | City:Centerville | Population:5459 | Total Number of Crimes:13 | Crime Score:2,38 |
| Rank:31 | City:Maquoketa | Population:5972 | Total Number of Crimes:15 | Crime Score:2,51 |
| Rank:32 | City:Windsor Heights | Population:4896 | Total Number of Crimes:13 | Crime Score:2,66 |
| Rank:33 | City:Perry | Population:7421 | Total Number of Crimes:20 | Crime Score:2,70 |
| Rank:34 | City:Waukon | Population:3654 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:2,74 |
| Rank:35 | City:Oelwein | Population:5886 | Total Number of Crimes:18 | Crime Score:3,06 |
| Rank:36 | City:Creston | Population:7784 | Total Number of Crimes:26 | Crime Score:3,34 |
| Rank:37 | City:Atlantic | Population:6514 | Total Number of Crimes:22 | Crime Score:3,38 |
| Rank:38 | City:Independence | Population:6086 | Total Number of Crimes:22 | Crime Score:3,61 |
| Rank:39 | City:Albia | Population:3725 | Total Number of Crimes:14 | Crime Score:3,76 |
| Rank:40 | City:Hiawatha | Population:7441 | Total Number of Crimes:28 | Crime Score:3,76 |
| Rank:41 | City:Evansdale | Population:4758 | Total Number of Crimes:18 | Crime Score:3,78 |
| Rank:42 | City:Algona | Population:5413 | Total Number of Crimes:21 | Crime Score:3,88 |
| Rank:43 | City:Clear Lake | Population:7555 | Total Number of Crimes:31 | Crime Score:4,10 |
| Rank:44 | City:Nevada | Population:6744 | Total Number of Crimes:28 | Crime Score:4,15 |
| Rank:45 | City:Webster City | Population:7684 | Total Number of Crimes:32 | Crime Score:4,16 |
| Rank:46 | City:Grinnell | Population:9333 | Total Number of Crimes:39 | Crime Score:4,18 |
| Rank:47 | City:Clarinda | Population:5352 | Total Number of Crimes:24 | Crime Score:4,48 |
| Rank:48 | City:Osceola | Population:5224 | Total Number of Crimes:24 | Crime Score:4,59 |
| Rank:49 | City:Glenwood | Population:5321 | Total Number of Crimes:26 | Crime Score:4,89 |
| Rank:50 | City:Spirit Lake | Population:5097 | Total Number of Crimes:30 | Crime Score:5,89 |
| Rank:51 | City:Red Oak | Population:5287 | Total Number of Crimes:33 | Crime Score:6,24 |
| Rank:52 | City:Washington | Population:7315 | Total Number of Crimes:48 | Crime Score:6,56 |
10,000 – 30,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Norwalk | Population:11871 | Total Number of Crimes:4 | Crime Score:0,34 |
| Rank:2 | City:Clive | Population:17305 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:0,40 |
| Rank:3 | City:Waukee | Population:24255 | Total Number of Crimes:15 | Crime Score:0,62 |
| Rank:4 | City:Spencer | Population:11008 | Total Number of Crimes:7 | Crime Score:0,64 |
| Rank:5 | City:Pella | Population:10334 | Total Number of Crimes:10 | Crime Score:0,97 |
| Rank:6 | City:Johnston | Population:22708 | Total Number of Crimes:29 | Crime Score:1,28 |
| Rank:7 | City:Muscatine | Population:23823 | Total Number of Crimes:47 | Crime Score:1,97 |
| Rank:8 | City:Le Mars | Population:10018 | Total Number of Crimes:24 | Crime Score:2,40 |
| Rank:9 | City:Boone | Population:12448 | Total Number of Crimes:36 | Crime Score:2,89 |
| Rank:10 | City:Clinton | Population:24982 | Total Number of Crimes:77 | Crime Score:3,08 |
| Rank:11 | City:Coralville | Population:22035 | Total Number of Crimes:69 | Crime Score:3,13 |
| Rank:12 | City:North Liberty | Population:20086 | Total Number of Crimes:70 | Crime Score:3,49 |
| Rank:13 | City:Marshalltown | Population:27002 | Total Number of Crimes:105 | Crime Score:3,89 |
| Rank:14 | City:Storm Lake | Population:10430 | Total Number of Crimes:41 | Crime Score:3,93 |
| Rank:15 | City:Fort Dodge | Population:23973 | Total Number of Crimes:101 | Crime Score:4,21 |
| Rank:16 | City:Waverly | Population:10187 | Total Number of Crimes:44 | Crime Score:4,32 |
| Rank:17 | City:Oskaloosa | Population:11415 | Total Number of Crimes:54 | Crime Score:4,73 |
| Rank:18 | City:Ottumwa | Population:24488 | Total Number of Crimes:134 | Crime Score:5,47 |
| Rank:19 | City:Mason City | Population:26976 | Total Number of Crimes:176 | Crime Score:6,52 |
| Rank:20 | City:Fort Madison | Population:10392 | Total Number of Crimes:69 | Crime Score:6,64 |
| Rank:21 | City:Indianola | Population:16235 | Total Number of Crimes:115 | Crime Score:7,08 |
Over 30,000 Residents
| Rank: | City: | Population: | Total Number of Crimes: | Crime Score: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | City:Urbandale | Population:44541 | Total Number of Crimes:28 | Crime Score:0,63 |
| Rank:2 | City:Bettendorf | Population:36972 | Total Number of Crimes:46 | Crime Score:1,24 |
| Rank:3 | City:Marion | Population:40612 | Total Number of Crimes:68 | Crime Score:1,67 |
| Rank:4 | City:Dubuque | Population:57973 | Total Number of Crimes:110 | Crime Score:1,90 |
| Rank:5 | City:Ames | Population:68237 | Total Number of Crimes:135 | Crime Score:1,98 |
| Rank:6 | City:Iowa City | Population:77390 | Total Number of Crimes:167 | Crime Score:2,16 |
| Rank:7 | City:Cedar Rapids | Population:134007 | Total Number of Crimes:345 | Crime Score:2,57 |
| Rank:8 | City:Sioux City | Population:82339 | Total Number of Crimes:366 | Crime Score:4,45 |
| Rank:9 | City:Waterloo | Population:67723 | Total Number of Crimes:306 | Crime Score:4,52 |
| Rank:10 | City:Davenport | Population:102392 | Total Number of Crimes:609 | Crime Score:5,95 |
| Rank:11 | City:Des Moines | Population:218384 | Total Number of Crimes:1555 | Crime Score:7,12 |
| Rank:12 | City:Council Bluffs | Population:62427 | Total Number of Crimes:493 | Crime Score:7,90 |
How safe do you feel?
Is your city safe enough? Are you worried because of the crime rate in your town? Do you have any thoughts on safety levels in the country?
If you want to share anything, feel free to leave a comment. That way, you can help us understand your perspective better.
Thank you!
Archives
- Safest Places to Live in Iowa 2020
- Safest Places to Live in Iowa 2019
- Safest Places to Live in Iowa 2018
- Safest Places to Live in Iowa 2017
- Safest Places to Live in Iowa 2016
Sources:
