Buying a place is expensive. Crime reduces home prices. Therefore, you should know where crime occurs in Iowa before you move there.
So, we put the work into identifying the location of the most dangerous cities in Iowa using Saturday Night Science.
Based on FBI data, we’ve identified the most dangerous cities in Iowa for 2026. Specifically, we compared the violent and property crimes per capita for the 77 cities over 5,000 people. We want you to know where crime occurs so that you can make an informed decision.
We wouldn’t want anyone to steal your corn while you’re caucusing.
1,061 violent crimes /100k · 3,196 property crimes /100k · #1 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Webster County, Iowa
Next out our list of the most dangerous cities in Iowa is Fort Dodge. A community of 24,502 with a long history of gypsum mining.
Residents are probably prouder of that industry than they are of the amount of disregard for the law that happens in the area. Property crime is just one issue Fort Dodge has. People reported 783 incidents of it in 2024. Burglary, larceny, and the like are just the tip of the iceberg for criminal activity here. What really helped the city earn a spot on this list is the fact that it ranks 12th highest in the state for murder.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
581 violent crimes /100k · 3,541 property crimes /100k · #3 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Scott County, Iowa
As one of the Quad Cities, Davenport has its bright spots, including its location along the Mississippi River and gigantic St. Patrick’s Day parade. Beyond those riverfront views however, there is a darker side to life here.
Personal safety is a serious concern in Davenport. A staggering 400 aggravated assaults took place in the city in 2024. As if that were not enough to rattle you, there were also 108 reports of rape in the area. The Davenport Police Department certainly has its hands full. Let us hope its team of men and women can turn things around soon before crime here gets any worse.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
555 violent crimes /100k · 3,324 property crimes /100k · #4 most violent in Iowa
Sioux City is the kind of place that makes you want to double check the locks on your doors. Criminals apparently love to make their way into the homes of others and take what does not belong to them. All those sticky fingers caused the city to rank fourth highest in the state for burglary.
If you manage to avoid a break-in and the disappearance of items from your home, it might be your car that goes missing. Thieves stole 252 of them in 2024. That stat combined with the 2,190 larcenies and 20 incidents of arson make it easy to see why Sioux City is also ranked third highest for property crime.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
703 violent crimes /100k · 3,126 property crimes /100k · #2 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Warren County, Iowa
Des Moines ranks as the fourth most dangerous city in Iowa for 2026.
A large population tends to mean higher crime numbers and Des Moines is no exception. When it comes to the criminal activities you should watch out for in this community, theft ranks high. The city had 4,482 larcenies in 2024. So, you better keep an eye on your valuables while you are out and about in the state capital.
No matter how tired you are after a day of activities in the area, try not to let your guard down once you return home or to your hotel room. Burglary can be a problem here too. In fact, Des Moines is fifth highest in the state for it.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers | Compare
421 violent crimes /100k · 2,452 property crimes /100k · #6 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Back when Amelia Bloomer, the famous suffragist credited with popularizing the Bloomer costume, decided to move to Council Bluffs, it was probably a much quieter place than it is now. If she were alive today, the city might not be her first choice. Life in this suburb seems to be going in the wrong direction since it landed the number 5 spot on this list.
That rank among the most dangerous cities in Iowa is just the beginning of the woes for Council Bluffs. You might want to brush up on your self-defense skills if you are going to spend time here. The area is sixth highest in the state for violent crime and 15th highest for murder.
Sadly, your possessions are in nearly as much danger as you are in this city. Council Bluffs also ranks ninth highest for property crime in Iowa. People reported 1,527 incidents of it in 2024.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
476 violent crimes /100k · 2,445 property crimes /100k · #5 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Black Hawk County, Iowa
The Battle of Waterloo took place in 1815. It was Napoleon’s last stand — one of the most important events in modern history. That Waterloo is in Europe, though. This one is in Iowa.
It’s up to you whether you’d rather spend time in Belgium or in the American Midwest. To help you make up your mind: the Iowa version has the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. But before you decide, keep in mind Waterloo’s not insubstantial crime problem. You might run into the Prussian army at the other Waterloo. But this one has the number 5 highest rate of violent crime in Iowa.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
397 violent crimes /100k · 2,617 property crimes /100k · #10 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Wapello County, Iowa
Call up a security company and consider getting a guard dog if you plan to live in Ottumwa. You may need all the help you can get considering that you have a one in 38 chance of being a victim of a property crime here in 2026.
You are actually lucky if you can make it home safely at all in this southern Iowa city. One of the lesser populated places on this list, Ottumwa had its fair share of violent crime in reporting year 2024. To be exact, 100 were reported in the community of 25,185.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
360 violent crimes /100k · 2,726 property crimes /100k · #14 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Clinton County, Iowa
Clinton, the eighth most dangerous place to live in Iowa, has a concerning crime rate. With a population of 24,171, Clinton reported 87 violent crimes, including 0 murders, 16 rapes, 7 robberies, and 64 aggravated assaults. Additionally, property crime was a significant issue, with 659 incidents reported.
While these numbers may be alarming, it is important to recognize that things can improve with concerted efforts and community involvement. With its location on the western shore of the Mississippi River and as the easternmost city in Iowa, Clinton possesses unique opportunities for economic growth and enhanced safety measures.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
414 violent crimes /100k · 1,826 property crimes /100k · #7 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Des Moines County, Iowa
Nestled in the southeastern corner of the state, across the Mississippi River from Illinois, Burlington represents a key urban area in an otherwise rural part of the state. You can visit the local Catfish Bend Casino or head over to the Art Center of Burlington. Or you can delve into the rich local history, including how the Iowa nickname of “The Hawkeye State” derives from the title of a local newspaper.
All this provides great diversions for a day in Burlington. Just make sure you’re home by the time it gets dark. The community also has its share of criminal elements, including the number 21 highest pace of larcenies in the state.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
369 violent crimes /100k · 1,992 property crimes /100k · #13 most violent in Iowa
Located in
Cass County, Iowa
Atlantic is a city in, and the county seat of, Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 7,112 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in the 2000 census.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Iowa’s statewide median.
On the map
Where crime hits hardest in Iowa
Saturday Night Science
How we determined the most dangerous cities in Iowa for 2026?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Iowa. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Iowa, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the 2024 data, specifically the 2024 Crime In The United States Report for Iowa.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Iowa cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 77 cities in Iowa.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 77 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.
Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Iowa — Fort Dodge. Any ties went to the smaller city.
This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our eleventh time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Iowa and is updated for 2026.
The full plate
Crime By City In Iowa
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Dangerous Index | Population | Total Crimes Per 100K | Violent Crimes Per 100K | Property Crimes Per 100K | Murders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | 2.50 | 24,502 | 4,257 | 1,061 | 3,196 | 1 |
| 2 | Davenport | 2.50 | 99,926 | 4,122 | 581 | 3,541 | 8 |
| 3 | Sioux City | 3.50 | 85,711 | 3,879 | 555 | 3,324 | 3 |
| 4 | Des Moines | 3.50 | 209,245 | 3,829 | 703 | 3,126 | 9 |
| 5 | Council Bluffs | 7.50 | 62,269 | 2,873 | 421 | 2,452 | 2 |
| 6 | Waterloo | 7.50 | 66,385 | 2,921 | 476 | 2,445 | 3 |
| 7 | Ottumwa | 9.00 | 25,185 | 3,014 | 397 | 2,617 | 2 |
| 8 | Clinton | 10.00 | 24,171 | 3,086 | 360 | 2,726 | 0 |
| 9 | Burlington | 12.50 | 23,444 | 2,239 | 414 | 1,826 | 2 |
| 10 | Atlantic | 14.00 | 6,778 | 2,361 | 369 | 1,992 | 0 |
| 11 | Knoxville | 18.50 | 7,387 | 2,044 | 325 | 1,719 | 0 |
| 12 | Dubuque | 18.50 | 58,620 | 1,836 | 401 | 1,435 | 1 |
| 13 | Cedar Rapids | 19.00 | 135,363 | 2,951 | 262 | 2,689 | 1 |
| 14 | Windsor Heights | 19.50 | 5,011 | 4,829 | 220 | 4,610 | 0 |
| 15 | Marshalltown | 19.50 | 27,576 | 2,071 | 297 | 1,773 | 2 |
| 16 | Newton | 20.50 | 15,611 | 1,774 | 384 | 1,390 | 0 |
| 17 | Iowa City | 21.00 | 75,934 | 1,995 | 321 | 1,674 | 0 |
| 18 | Storm Lake | 22.50 | 11,494 | 1,966 | 287 | 1,679 | 0 |
| 19 | Spirit Lake | 23.50 | 5,557 | 1,728 | 342 | 1,386 | 0 |
| 20 | Keokuk | 23.50 | 9,392 | 1,874 | 287 | 1,586 | 1 |
| 21 | Fort Madison | 23.50 | 9,964 | 1,987 | 281 | 1,706 | 0 |
| 22 | Mason City | 23.50 | 26,786 | 2,546 | 224 | 2,322 | 0 |
| 23 | Maquoketa | 25.00 | 6,029 | 2,239 | 249 | 1,990 | 0 |
| 24 | Washington | 27.00 | 7,221 | 2,091 | 222 | 1,870 | 0 |
| 25 | Webster City | 27.50 | 7,679 | 1,615 | 286 | 1,328 | 0 |
| 26 | Indianola | 28.00 | 16,104 | 1,745 | 273 | 1,472 | 0 |
| 27 | Clear Lake | 28.50 | 7,536 | 1,884 | 252 | 1,632 | 0 |
| 28 | Hiawatha | 29.50 | 7,230 | 1,342 | 360 | 982 | 0 |
| 29 | Osceola | 30.00 | 5,617 | 2,208 | 160 | 2,047 | 1 |
| 30 | Altoona | 31.50 | 22,422 | 2,154 | 143 | 2,011 | 0 |
| 31 | Clarinda | 32.50 | 5,286 | 1,305 | 284 | 1,022 | 0 |
| 32 | Coralville | 33.00 | 24,033 | 2,197 | 133 | 2,064 | 0 |
| 33 | West Des Moines | 33.00 | 73,335 | 1,879 | 165 | 1,714 | 0 |
| 34 | Centerville | 34.00 | 5,323 | 1,315 | 263 | 1,052 | 0 |
| 35 | Creston | 34.00 | 7,345 | 1,307 | 272 | 1,035 | 0 |
| 36 | Muscatine | 34.50 | 23,208 | 1,474 | 246 | 1,228 | 0 |
| 37 | Charles City | 35.50 | 7,177 | 1,156 | 320 | 836 | 0 |
| 38 | Perry | 35.50 | 8,022 | 985 | 399 | 586 | 2 |
| 39 | Sheldon | 36.50 | 5,396 | 982 | 371 | 612 | 0 |
| 40 | Red Oak | 36.50 | 5,417 | 1,218 | 277 | 941 | 0 |
| 41 | DeWitt | 37.50 | 5,611 | 1,248 | 250 | 998 | 0 |
| 42 | Clive | 37.50 | 19,124 | 1,375 | 209 | 1,166 | 0 |
| 43 | Ames | 37.50 | 65,426 | 1,654 | 148 | 1,506 | 0 |
| 44 | Grinnell | 38.00 | 9,451 | 1,407 | 169 | 1,238 | 0 |
| 45 | Ankeny | 42.00 | 76,547 | 1,188 | 166 | 1,022 | 0 |
| 46 | Manchester | 45.50 | 5,295 | 1,246 | 132 | 1,114 | 0 |
| 47 | Winterset | 48.50 | 5,373 | 912 | 186 | 726 | 0 |
| 48 | Estherville | 48.50 | 5,808 | 585 | 275 | 310 | 0 |
| 49 | Waverly | 50.50 | 10,611 | 1,027 | 141 | 886 | 0 |
| 50 | Oskaloosa | 51.00 | 11,419 | 1,042 | 140 | 902 | 0 |
| 51 | Independence | 51.50 | 6,221 | 820 | 161 | 659 | 0 |
| 52 | Oelwein | 52.50 | 5,753 | 765 | 209 | 556 | 0 |
| 53 | Pella | 52.50 | 10,940 | 1,060 | 110 | 951 | 0 |
| 54 | Cherokee | 54.00 | 5,158 | 543 | 213 | 330 | 0 |
| 55 | Waukee | 54.00 | 34,520 | 782 | 142 | 640 | 1 |
| 56 | Denison | 54.50 | 8,037 | 946 | 124 | 821 | 0 |
| 57 | Mount Pleasant | 54.50 | 8,371 | 1,111 | 48 | 1,063 | 0 |
| 58 | Bettendorf | 56.00 | 40,105 | 972 | 105 | 868 | 0 |
| 59 | Le Mars | 56.50 | 10,624 | 1,017 | 94 | 922 | 2 |
| 60 | Spencer | 57.00 | 11,501 | 1,043 | 52 | 991 | 0 |
| 61 | Fairfield | 59.00 | 9,251 | 627 | 141 | 486 | 0 |
| 62 | Carroll | 60.50 | 10,118 | 1,018 | 40 | 978 | 0 |
| 63 | Johnston | 60.50 | 24,819 | 826 | 77 | 749 | 1 |
| 64 | Marion | 61.00 | 42,420 | 620 | 123 | 497 | 2 |
| 65 | Anamosa | 62.50 | 5,791 | 673 | 104 | 570 | 0 |
| 66 | Glenwood | 63.00 | 5,218 | 728 | 57 | 671 | 0 |
| 67 | Urbandale | 63.00 | 47,119 | 724 | 89 | 635 | 0 |
| 68 | Adel | 63.50 | 6,577 | 715 | 76 | 639 | 0 |
| 69 | Decorah | 65.00 | 7,578 | 343 | 119 | 224 | 0 |
| 70 | Norwalk | 67.00 | 15,588 | 289 | 109 | 180 | 0 |
| 71 | North Liberty | 68.00 | 21,635 | 467 | 69 | 398 | 0 |
| 72 | Algona | 69.50 | 5,298 | 227 | 94 | 132 | 0 |
| 73 | Asbury | 69.50 | 6,022 | 199 | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| 74 | Eldridge | 71.50 | 6,886 | 378 | 44 | 334 | 0 |
| 75 | Orange City | 73.00 | 6,438 | 233 | 47 | 186 | 0 |
| 76 | Polk City | 74.00 | 6,557 | 320 | 31 | 290 | 0 |
| 77 | Sioux Center | 75.50 | 8,643 | 127 | 46 | 81 | 0 |
Source: FBI UCR 2024. 77 cities with more than 5,000 residents.
Summary
Summary: Locking It All Up In Iowa
So what is the most dangerous city in Iowa? After analyzing 77 cities in Iowa, Fort Dodge takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Iowa based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2024.
The latest FBI crime data shows that Fort Dodge ranks as the most dangerous city in Iowa for 2026.
The most dangerous cities in Iowa are Fort Dodge, Davenport, Sioux City, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Ottumwa, Clinton, Burlington, and Atlantic.
We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Fort Dodge and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up. Not sold on Iowa? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Most Dangerous Places To Live In Iowa FAQs
Is Iowa a dangerous state?
No, Iowa is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #14 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Iowa ranks 34th most dangerous in the United States — 17.93% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Hawkeye State ranks 33rd most dangerous in the United States — 13.11% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.
Is Des Moines, IA a dangerous city?
Yes, Des Moines is a dangerous city. Des Moines ranks as the #105 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Des Moines might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, Greenwood is the safest in Des Moines, while Laurel Hill is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Des Moines ranks 108th highest in America — 13.62% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 98th highest in the United States — 16.31% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
