Crime in Iowa City, Iowa

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Iowa City, however, property crimes account for about 88% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a higher than average share of total offenses, property crime is less prevalent in Iowa City than it is nationwide. There were 1,252 property crimes in Iowa City in 2019, or 1,618 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Iowa City. There were 867 larcenies reported in Iowa City in 2019, or 1,120 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 314 break-ins reported in Iowa City in 2019, or 406 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Iowa City, meanwhile, there were 71 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 92 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Iowa City, however, violent offenses account for a smaller 12% share of all reported crime.

At 216 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Iowa City is below the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Iowa City reported a total of 167 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Iowa City. There were 101 aggravated assaults reported in Iowa City in 2019, or 131 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is higher, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 25 robberies reported in Iowa City in 2019, a rate of 32 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 40 rapes reported in Iowa City in 2019, or 52 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There was one homicide reported in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Iowa City is 1.3 for every 100,000 people, considerably lower than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.