Hardin County Crime & Safety

Hardin County, Iowa

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1856.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

782.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1073.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

25/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#88

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Hardin County, Iowa

Hardin County Faces Higher Local Crime Trends

Hardin County holds a safety score of 97.1, which is lower than the national average safety trend. While its total crime rate of 1,856.4 per 100K is below the national average of 2,385.5, specific categories show higher activity.

Above Average Crime Rates for Iowa

The county's total crime rate of 1,856.4 per 100K is much higher than the Iowa state average of 1,095.3. Its safety score of 97.1 trails the state average score of 98.3, indicating room for improvement in local safety.

Crime Rates Exceed Neighboring Hancock County

Hardin County's total crime rate of 1,856.4 per 100K is over three times higher than neighboring Hancock County's 574.6. It also sees more activity than Hamilton or Story counties, though it remains below national peaks.

High Violent Crime Rates Pose Challenges

Hardin County reports a violent crime rate of 782.9 per 100K, which is more than double the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1,073.5, which is lower than the national rate but high for the region.

Prioritize Personal and Home Security

With violent crime rates exceeding state norms, residents should prioritize home security and awareness. Updating locks and using motion-sensor lighting can help deter the 1,073.5 property crimes occurring per 100K residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Hardin County, IA?

Hardin County has a total crime rate of 1856.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (782.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1073.5 per 100K).

Is Hardin County, IA safe?

Hardin County has a safety score of 25/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #88 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Hardin County crime compare to the Iowa average?

What types of crime are most common in Hardin County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Hardin County?

Crime data for Hardin 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 Hardin County?

Hardin County has a safety score of 25/100, 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.