Buena Vista County Crime & Safety

Buena Vista County, Iowa

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1102.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

246.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

855.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#68

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Buena Vista County, Iowa

Buena Vista Offers Stability and Safety

The total crime rate in Buena Vista County is 1,102.1 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance nets the county a high safety score of 98.3.

Matching the Iowa State Average

Buena Vista County's safety score of 98.3 perfectly matches the Iowa state average. Its total crime rate of 1,102.1 is nearly identical to the statewide average of 1,095.3 per 100K.

Buena Vista Compared to Regional Peers

While Buena Vista's crime rate is higher than rural Calhoun County's 232.5, it remains much lower than many metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Two primary agencies provide the data that keeps this community informed and safe.

Analyzing Property and Violent Crime Trends

Property crime represents the bulk of local incidents at 855.6 per 100K, while violent crime stays low at 246.5. Even with property crime being the primary concern, it remains less than half the national average of 2,015.7.

Prioritizing Safety in Buena Vista

Residents can help lower property crime rates even further by participating in neighborhood watch programs. Basic home security upgrades, such as deadbolts and window sensors, provide valuable peace of mind.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Buena Vista County, IA?

Buena Vista County has a total crime rate of 1102.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (246.5 per 100K) and property crimes (855.6 per 100K).

Is Buena Vista County, IA safe?

Buena Vista County has a safety score of 51/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #68 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Buena Vista County crime compare to the Iowa average?

Buena Vista County's safety score of 98.3 perfectly matches the Iowa state average. Its total crime rate of 1,102.1 is nearly identical to the statewide average of 1,095.3 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Buena Vista County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Buena Vista County?

Crime data for Buena Vista County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Buena Vista County?

Buena Vista County has a safety score of 51/100, which is below the Iowa average of 60/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.