Iowa is a pretty safe state overall, but like anywhere, there is still crime lurking around. If you have ever wondered what the most crime-ridden and dangerous places in Iowa are, look no further. We reviewed the rankings for the most dangerous cities from Home Security Shield to bring you the 10 most dangerous places in Iowa. The report only reviewed cities with a population over 5,000, in order to make the comparison fairer.
You may be surprised to see some of these cities on the list. These cities may have the highest crime rates in the state, but that doesn’t mean they are a bad place to live. Compared to other states, these crime rates are actually extremely low. All of these cities are such great places, with so much to offer, and there are people in each of these communities who are working their butts off to make them a safer place to live.
- Muscatine
David Wilson/Flickr Muscatine, population 23,034, is the tenth most crime-ridden city in the state, which may be surprising because it’s always fun to walk around the charming downtown district. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Muscatine are 1 in 24.
- Waterloo
David Wilson/Flickr Waterloo is one of the larger towns in the state, and lots of people come by to go shopping, dine at a delicious restaurant, or just see the sights. It’s not entirely peaceful and pleasant, though. With a population of 68,366, Waterloo is among the most crime-ridden cities in the state. Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime in Waterloo are 1 in 23.
- Davenport
Sarah/Flickr The state’s third largest city, Davenport, has a population of 102,157. With this high population comes a high crime rate, as your chances of becoming the victim of a crime are 1 in 22.
- Burlington
Loco Steve/Flickr Burlington is known for being a charming river town and home to the world’s most crooked street. The city has a population of 25,725, and a higher-than-average crime rate, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 21.
- Centerville
photolibrarian/Flickr For being such a small town, with a population of 5,448, Centerville has a very high crime rate. Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime here are 1 in 20. Be sure to lock your car doors!
- Fort Dodge
Luke Healey/Flickr Fort Dodge is home to about 24,639 people, and the chances of becoming the victim of a crime are 1 in 19.
- Clinton
David Wilson/Flickr With a population of 26,473, Clinton has a high crime rate per thousand, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 19.
- Des Moines
Jason Mrachina/Flickr Des Moines is the state’s most populous city, with a population of 207,510. It also has the third highest crime rate, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 18. Overall, the downtown section of the city is plenty safe to walk around, shop, and dine.
- Keokuk
Jacob Norlund/Flickr Keokuk, population 10,769, has the second highest crime rate in the state. In Keokuk, you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
- Council Bluffs
Malcolm K./Flickr The most dangerous city in Iowa is Council Bluffs, population 61,969. In this city, you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
What do you think of these rankings?
David Wilson/Flickr
Muscatine, population 23,034, is the tenth most crime-ridden city in the state, which may be surprising because it’s always fun to walk around the charming downtown district. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Muscatine are 1 in 24.
Waterloo is one of the larger towns in the state, and lots of people come by to go shopping, dine at a delicious restaurant, or just see the sights. It’s not entirely peaceful and pleasant, though. With a population of 68,366, Waterloo is among the most crime-ridden cities in the state. Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime in Waterloo are 1 in 23.
Sarah/Flickr
The state’s third largest city, Davenport, has a population of 102,157. With this high population comes a high crime rate, as your chances of becoming the victim of a crime are 1 in 22.
Loco Steve/Flickr
Burlington is known for being a charming river town and home to the world’s most crooked street. The city has a population of 25,725, and a higher-than-average crime rate, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 21.
photolibrarian/Flickr
For being such a small town, with a population of 5,448, Centerville has a very high crime rate. Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime here are 1 in 20. Be sure to lock your car doors!
Luke Healey/Flickr
Fort Dodge is home to about 24,639 people, and the chances of becoming the victim of a crime are 1 in 19.
With a population of 26,473, Clinton has a high crime rate per thousand, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 19.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
Des Moines is the state’s most populous city, with a population of 207,510. It also has the third highest crime rate, with your chances of becoming the victim of a crime being 1 in 18. Overall, the downtown section of the city is plenty safe to walk around, shop, and dine.
Jacob Norlund/Flickr
Keokuk, population 10,769, has the second highest crime rate in the state. In Keokuk, you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
Malcolm K./Flickr
The most dangerous city in Iowa is Council Bluffs, population 61,969. In this city, you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
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Address: Council Bluffs, IA, USAAddress: Keokuk, IA 52632, USAAddress: Des Moines, IA, USAAddress: Clinton, IA, USAAddress: Fort Dodge, IA 50501, USAAddress: Centerville, IA 52544, USAAddress: Burlington, IA, USAAddress: Davenport, IA, USAAddress: Muscatine, IA 52761, USAAddress: Waterloo, IA, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
dangerous places in Iowa June 04, 2021 Kim Magaraci What are the most charming small towns in Iowa? Some of Iowa’s most charming small towns include Le Mars, Elk Horn, Winterset, and Amana. In Le Mars, you’ll find a foodie community like no other! Dine at the world-famous Archies Wayside steakhouse and then follow it up with a scoop from Blue Bunny Ice Cream, made right here in the Ice Cream Capital of the World. In Elk Horn, you can explore a town packed with Danish culture, and even visit the only Danish windmill outside of Denmark! Winterset was made famous in The Bridges of Madison County, and the town’s park was featured in the book and film. You can still walk around the most famous of the bridges, too. Amana is the centerpiece of the Amana Colonies, an old-fashioned set of towns that are known for a quiet way of living and remarkable stores that sell furniture, candy, chocolate, meat, and textiles. What is the oldest town in Iowa? When Julien Dubuque arrived in present-day Iowa to establish his fur trade, he had no idea he was setting up the first colonial town in Iowa. Dubuque got permission to establish his outpost in 1788, and from there is slowly became a community, town, and eventually the bustling port city that it is today. To see the original land that Dubuque used in his trapping trade, visit the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, and be sure to spend time at the Port of Dubuque. What is the most unique town in Iowa? Pella is one of the most unique towns in the country, and it certainly stands out in Iowa! Visit during the Tulip Time festival to feel like you’ve traveled across the world to Holland! This Dutch town is even home to authentic Dutch bakeries that serve pastries made with homeland recipes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
dangerous places in Iowa
June 04, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the most charming small towns in Iowa? Some of Iowa’s most charming small towns include Le Mars, Elk Horn, Winterset, and Amana. In Le Mars, you’ll find a foodie community like no other! Dine at the world-famous Archies Wayside steakhouse and then follow it up with a scoop from Blue Bunny Ice Cream, made right here in the Ice Cream Capital of the World. In Elk Horn, you can explore a town packed with Danish culture, and even visit the only Danish windmill outside of Denmark! Winterset was made famous in The Bridges of Madison County, and the town’s park was featured in the book and film. You can still walk around the most famous of the bridges, too. Amana is the centerpiece of the Amana Colonies, an old-fashioned set of towns that are known for a quiet way of living and remarkable stores that sell furniture, candy, chocolate, meat, and textiles. What is the oldest town in Iowa? When Julien Dubuque arrived in present-day Iowa to establish his fur trade, he had no idea he was setting up the first colonial town in Iowa. Dubuque got permission to establish his outpost in 1788, and from there is slowly became a community, town, and eventually the bustling port city that it is today. To see the original land that Dubuque used in his trapping trade, visit the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, and be sure to spend time at the Port of Dubuque. What is the most unique town in Iowa? Pella is one of the most unique towns in the country, and it certainly stands out in Iowa! Visit during the Tulip Time festival to feel like you’ve traveled across the world to Holland! This Dutch town is even home to authentic Dutch bakeries that serve pastries made with homeland recipes.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of Iowa’s most charming small towns include Le Mars, Elk Horn, Winterset, and Amana. In Le Mars, you’ll find a foodie community like no other! Dine at the world-famous Archies Wayside steakhouse and then follow it up with a scoop from Blue Bunny Ice Cream, made right here in the Ice Cream Capital of the World. In Elk Horn, you can explore a town packed with Danish culture, and even visit the only Danish windmill outside of Denmark! Winterset was made famous in The Bridges of Madison County, and the town’s park was featured in the book and film. You can still walk around the most famous of the bridges, too. Amana is the centerpiece of the Amana Colonies, an old-fashioned set of towns that are known for a quiet way of living and remarkable stores that sell furniture, candy, chocolate, meat, and textiles.
What is the oldest town in Iowa?
When Julien Dubuque arrived in present-day Iowa to establish his fur trade, he had no idea he was setting up the first colonial town in Iowa. Dubuque got permission to establish his outpost in 1788, and from there is slowly became a community, town, and eventually the bustling port city that it is today. To see the original land that Dubuque used in his trapping trade, visit the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, and be sure to spend time at the Port of Dubuque.
What is the most unique town in Iowa?
Pella is one of the most unique towns in the country, and it certainly stands out in Iowa! Visit during the Tulip Time festival to feel like you’ve traveled across the world to Holland! This Dutch town is even home to authentic Dutch bakeries that serve pastries made with homeland recipes.
