The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Iowa

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Iowa For 2024

Clinton, the most dangerous place to live in Iowa, has a concerning crime rate. With a population of 24,443, Clinton reported 211 violent crimes, including 3 murders, 23 rapes, 10 robberies, and 175 aggravated assaults. Additionally, property crime was a significant issue, with 913 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.

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 27 chance of being a victim of a property crime here in 2024.

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 2022. To be exact, 196 were reported in the community of 25,249.

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 507 aggravated assaults took place in the city in 2022. As if that were not enough to rattle you, there were also 93 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.

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 3 highest pace of larcenies in the state.

Des Moines ranks as the fifth most dangerous city in Iowa for 2024.

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 4,580 larcenies in 2022. 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 25th highest in the state for it.

Keokuk sits at the intersection of three states. Located in the far southeast corner of Iowa, a simple trip across the Mississippi River will get you into Illinois. Or you can take a short drive south and spend the day in Missouri.

Maybe criminals like having these escape routes — a few minutes and they can be in a different jurisdiction. Whatever the case, Keokuk has built a reputation as the number 6 most dangerous spot in Iowa. Violence represents a major problem in the area, with 71 such incidents in a population of only 9,702 people.

Grinnell, known for its educational institutions and historic architecture, has been ranked as the seventh most dangerous place to live in Iowa for 2024. Despite not having recorded a 0 this year, the city’s 812/100k is concerning, ranking as the third highest. The majority of these incidents are classified as 70, which significantly affects the sense of safety among the residents. With a considerable 1,942/100k, Grinnell sees its share of burglaries and thefts, making property security a critical issue.

Located in Poweshiek County, this city also faces challenges with its overall safety. The total 2,754/100k places Grinnell relatively high on the list of areas with pressing crime issues in the state. Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that these statistics represent a moment in time and that dedicated efforts by law enforcement and community initiatives can help improve the situation. As a part of Iowa, Grinnell has the potential for positive change, making it possible to transform these numbers and enhance the quality of life for its 9,474.

Next out our list of the most dangerous cities in Iowa is Fort Dodge. A community of 25,097 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 752 incidents of it in 2022. 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 fourth highest in the state for murder.

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 18th 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 279 of them in 2022. That stat combined with the 1,893 larcenies and 18 incidents of arson make it easy to see why Sioux City is also ranked tenth highest for property crime.

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 14 highest rate of violent crime in Iowa.

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