Howard County Crime & Safety

Howard County, Iowa

Safety Score

84/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

369.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

63.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

305.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

84/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#22

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Howard County, Iowa

Howard County is One of Iowa's Safest

Howard County boasts a near-perfect safety score of 99.4, significantly higher than national norms. Its crime rate of 369.2 per 100K is exceptionally low compared to the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Leading the Pack in State Safety

Howard County ranks well above the Iowa safety average of 98.3 with its 99.4 score. The total crime rate of 369.2 per 100K is about one-third of the state average of 1,095.3.

Superior Safety Among Northern Neighbors

Howard County’s rate of 369.2 per 100K is lower than Chickasaw or Winneshiek counties. This small-town security provides a stark contrast to more urban areas in the state.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 63.3 per 100K, far below the national 369.8. Property crime is also very low at 305.9, compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

Keep Howard County Safe and Secure

A 99.4 safety score makes this a secure community, but residents should still lock doors to prevent crimes of opportunity. With only 305.9 property crimes per 100K, simple vigilance goes a long way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Howard County, IA?

Howard County has a total crime rate of 369.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (63.3 per 100K) and property crimes (305.9 per 100K).

Is Howard County, IA safe?

Howard County has a safety score of 84/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #22 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Howard County crime compare to the Iowa average?

Howard County ranks well above the Iowa safety average of 98.3 with its 99.4 score. The total crime rate of 369.2 per 100K is about one-third of the state average of 1,095.3.

What types of crime are most common in Howard County?

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 63.3 per 100K, far below the national 369.8. Property crime is also very low at 305.9, compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Howard County?

Crime data for Howard 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.

Why is Howard County safer than the Iowa average?

Howard County has a safety score of 84/100, which is above the Iowa average of 60/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.