Top 10 Safest Cities in Iowa for a Peaceful Family Life

Looking for a safe place to call home in the heart of the Midwest? Iowa may just be your answer. Known for its low crime rate of 2700 per 100,000 residents (well below the national average), this state offers peace of mind without sacrificing community life.

Cities like Sioux Center and North Liberty consistently rank among the safest, thanks to strong policing. While most cities are safe, a few areas experience higher crime, so it’s important to research before moving.

Keep reading to explore the safest cities in Iowa and find your ideal, worry-free home. Stay till the end to learn some practical tips to keep your home and family safe.

Is Iowa Safe? A Quick Answer

Yes, Iowa is generally considered a safe state compared to national averages. According to the latest FBI UCR estimates, Iowa recorded a total crime rate of around 2,700 incidents per 100,000 residents, well below the U.S. average of about 3,800.

Within this state, violent crimes are relatively rare, with roughly 350 incidents per 100k people, including 56 robberies and over 247 aggravated assaults. Property crimes, however, make up most offenses, as around 2,350 incidents per 100,000 were reported last year.

Metropolitan areas report the majority of crimes, while smaller counties remain the safest. The safest cities in Iowa include Sioux Center, North Liberty, and Norwalk, known for strong community policing and low incident counts.

How Can You Compare the 10 Safest Cities in Iowa?

Before comparison, we analyzed the crime statistics of each city in Iowa using Table 8 of the 2024 FBI report. Using its violent and property crime statistics, we calculated the total crime per 100k people with the formula:

Total Crime Rate (per 100,000) = (Violent + Property Crimes) / Population × 100,000

Moving forward, we arranged the safest Iowa cities based on the increasing crime rates to make the list. You can compare their crime numbers through the table below.

What Are the Top 10 Safest Iowa Cities?

Based on the FBI 2024 report, we have identified the following safest cities in Iowa. Our editors have also cross-checked the statistics of these cities on reliable platforms, including NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes.

1. Sioux Center

Sioux Center ranks as Iowa’s safest city, with an exceptionally low total crime rate of just 127 per 100k residents, compared to the state average of 2,700. The violent crime rate stands at only 46 per 100k, including 4 aggravated assaults and no murders. Property crimes are also rare, at 81 per 100k people, with only 7 reported cases, primarily petty thefts.

This small community benefits from strong social cohesion and responsive policing. With virtually no serious violent crimes and minimal property damage reports, Sioux Center continues to be a model of public safety in Iowa.

2. Asbury

Asbury maintains an extremely low total crime rate of 199 per 100,000 residents, among the lowest in the state. The violent crime rate is 100 per 100k, with just 6 violent offenses. The property crime rate also sits at 100 per 100k, representing only 6 reported property crimes, including a few minor thefts.

Compared with Iowa’s average of 2700 per 100k, Asbury has lower rates due to a strong sense of neighborly responsibility. Frequent community-police meetings and neighborhood safety campaigns encourage vigilance and swift reporting.

3. Norwalk

Norwalk enjoys total crime numbers of only 45, which is far below Iowa’s state average. The violent crime rate is 109 per 100k, representing 17 violent incidents, mostly 13 assaults and 4 rapes. Property crime is equally low at 180 per 100k people, primarily thefts and minor break-ins.

Norwalk’s law enforcement focuses heavily on preventive community policing and citizen education programs. With overall offenses nearly one-tenth of the state average, Norwalk stands as one of the safest cities in Iowa.

4. Decorah

Decorah offers a secure environment with a total crime rate of 343 per 100,000 residents. Moreover, its violent crime rate is 119 per 100k residents, involving 8 assaults and 1 rape, with no murders. On top of that, the property crime rate is only 224 per 100k, comprising mainly larceny and a couple of vehicle thefts.

Decorah’s police department actively engages in crime-awareness campaigns, which contribute to these low numbers. Its proactive citizen watch groups and accessible policing make sure that crime remains minimal.

5. Eldridge

Being one of the safest Iowa cities, Eldridge only reported around 26 crimes according to the 2024 FBI numbers. Its violent crime rate is 44 per 100k people, accounting for just 2 rapes and 1 assault incident. Moreover, the property crime rate stands at 334 per 100k people, including 20 larceny cases and 2 vehicle thefts.

With a total of 3 violent and 23 property crimes reported, the statistics reflect the community’s effective law enforcement. In this city, police visibility is high, and the town invests in crime prevention education.

6. North Liberty

North Liberty maintains a total crime rate of 467 per 100k, well under Iowa’s 2,700 average. Talking about the violent crime rate, the numbers reach around 69 per 100k residents, involving 4 rapes and 11 assaults. Additionally, its property crime rate is over 398 per 100k people, with 58 thefts and 20 burglaries reported.

As one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities, North Liberty focuses on prevention and public cooperation rather than reaction.

7. Urbandale

Urbandale emerges as one of Iowa's safest cities with a total crime number of just 341 (around 48000 population). Moreover, its violent crime rate stands at 89 per 100k people, with 42 violent incidents (36 assaults, 5 rapes, 1 robbery). When considering the property crime rate, the numbers are on the higher side, reaching around 635 per 100k.

Further breakdown by the 2024 FBI report reveals that over 194 thefts, 39 burglaries, and 66 vehicle thefts were reported last year. Despite being part of the Des Moines metro area, Urbandale’s public engagement strategies keep this city safe.

8. Waukee

As one of Iowa’s growing suburbs, Waukee maintains a total crime rate of 782 per 100,000 residents. Additionally, the violent crime rate is 142 per 100k, covering 37 assaults, 3 robberies, and 1 murder. Its property crime rate reaches around 640 per 100k people, with 178 thefts and 21 burglary incidents.

Though slightly higher than smaller towns, Waukee’s rate still sits well below the Iowa average. Generally, its excellent schools and vigilant policing make this one of the safest and most livable in Iowa.

9. Johnston

With a population of around 24,819 people, Johnston hardly reported around 205 crime incidents. Moreover, this safest city in Iowa has a violent crime rate of merely 77 per 100k people, mainly comprising 13 assaults and 1 murder. On top of that, the property crime rate is just 749 per 100k, with 131 thefts and 36 vehicle thefts.

Johnston’s police department emphasizes community collaboration and crime prevention for security control. In addition, its safe school programs and resident safety workshops play their role in citizen safety.

10. Pella

Pella records a total crime rate of 1058 per 100,000 residents, still below the Iowa average. The violent crime rate of this city is around 110 per 100k, with 9 assaults and 3 rapes incidents. Relatively higher, its property crime rate reaches over 950 per 100k people, based on 104 property crimes.

While slightly higher than smaller towns, Pella’s overall numbers remain low due to vigilant local policing. Most importantly, strong moral values and a cooperative police-community relationship keep the crime risk minimal.

What Kind of Crimes Do Iowa People Have to Face?

Within Iowa’s relatively low-crime cities, certain offenses still dominate community concerns. Based on the FBI 2024 crime data, residents most frequently face the following crimes:

• Larceny Theft: As the most common property crime, larceny makes up nearly 70% of all property offenses. Over 24,000 larceny incidents were reported statewide, mostly involving stolen personal belongings and shoplifting cases.
• Burglary: Accounting for about 18% of property crimes, there were around 6000 burglary incidents reported in 2024. Mostly, break-ins often occur in rural homes during the days when houses are unoccupied.
• Motor Vehicle Theft: This type of crime comprises around 12% of property crimes. More than 3500 vehicles were stolen, primarily in larger cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
• Aggravated Assault: Being the leading violent crime in Iowa, assaults make up around 63% of all violent offenses. Roughly 4,000 assaults were reported, many linked to domestic disputes or street altercations.
• Rape: Such a crime represents 15% of violent crime statewide, with around 1000 reported incidents. These serious cases typically occur between acquaintances, and Iowa continues expanding prevention initiatives.

5 Most Dangerous Cities to Avoid While Moving to Iowa

After exploring the safest Iowa cities, it’s equally important to understand where crime is more prevalent. Knowing which areas report higher crime rates can help families make safer relocation choices.

What Tips to Follow to Stay Safe in Dangerous Cities in Iowa?

You need to follow these practical tips to ensure safety while living in dangerous Iowa cities.

Tip 1. Strengthen Entry Points of Your Home

Always remember to make sure that every door and window provides strong protection for your loved ones. For this purpose, use quality smart locks like eufy Smart Lock to prevent unauthorized access, even if someone has a spare key.

You can pair such locks with an eufy Video Doorbell to identify visitors and record activity around your door. Together, they offer mobile alerts and real-time control, so you’re always aware of who’s near your home.

Tip 2. Make Your Home Look Lived-In

Burglars target empty houses, so you can fake occupancy when away. Use timers or automations to switch lights, TVs, and radios on and off. Moreover, eufy’s outdoor lighting can activate at dusk or when motion is detected, creating the impression of someone's home. Before trips, ask a neighbor to collect mail and occasionally park in your driveway.

Tip 3. Install Security Cameras at Your Home

Visible cameras discourage burglars before they act. Set up wireless outdoor options that instantly alert your phone when motion is detected. The eufy SoloCam S340, for example, monitors doors and yards with clear night vision and real-time audio communication.

These cameras don’t just record, as they empower you to react fast. Motion-triggered recordings capture any movement, helping you collect evidence and stay at ease.

Tip 4. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Even in the safest cities in Iowa, staying alert is key. Avoid walking alone at night, especially in quiet or unfamiliar neighborhoods. Moreover, we recommend you keep your valuables out of sight in cars and homes. To stay safe, always report suspicious behavior to neighbors or local authorities before it escalates into something serious.

Tip 5. Protect Your Family with a Smart Security System

Upgrade to an advanced setup like eufy’s ExpertSecure kit for complete peace of mind. By linking your HomeBase with cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors, and entry detectors, every corner of your property stays guarded.

Once armed through the eufy app, the system monitors your home continuously. When a door or window opens unexpectedly, you’ll get an instant alert while the monitoring team checks the live camera feed.

If a break-in is verified, they’ll contact you immediately and alert local Iowa authorities. Even during power or internet outages, the built-in 24-hour battery and dual 4G LTE backup keep your home fully protected.

Final Thoughts

Although Iowa’s statewide crime rates are generally low, not every area follows the same pattern. Our analysis highlights the safest cities in Iowa, such as Sioux Center and North Liberty, which report far lower crime rates than the state average. Even in areas with higher crime, simple precautions can significantly improve safety.

Measures like installing better lighting and participating in neighborhood watch programs help. For residents seeking home security solutions, systems like eufy’s ExpertSecure setup have proven highly effective in keeping homes safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in Iowa is the safest?

Sioux Center is the safest Iowa city with a crime rate of just 127 per 100k residents. This city reported only 4 violent and 7 property crimes last year, based on the 2024 FBI report.

Where do millionaires live in Iowa?

Millionaires in Iowa usually live in the suburbs of Des Moines, particularly in Polk City, and other wealthy cities, including Clive and Cumming. Other famous areas of this state include the Okoboji and Spirit Lake region.

Is Iowa a low-crime state?

Yes, Iowa is a relatively low-crime state with a total crime rate of just 2700 incidents per 100k people. Its violent and property crime rates (350 and 2350 per 100k people) are far less than the national average.