Marion County Crime & Safety

Marion County, Iowa

Safety Score

70/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

713.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

194.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

519.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

70/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#49

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Marion County, Iowa

Marion County is Very Safe

Marion County earns a high safety score of 98.9 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 713.7 per 100K is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming State Safety Averages

Marion outperforms the Iowa average in every category, with a total crime rate well below the 1,095.3 state benchmark. Its safety score is also superior to the state average of 98.3.

A Secure Choice Among Neighbors

The county is safer than neighboring Mahaska County, reporting about half the total crime per capita. Two law enforcement agencies provide the reliable data that confirms this secure environment.

Low Rates Across All Crimes

Violent crime stands at 194.1 per 100K, which is lower than both state and national averages. Property crime is also very low at 519.6, roughly a quarter of the national rate.

Simple Habits Maintain Safety

Residents enjoy high levels of peace of mind but should still practice basic home security. Simple habits like locking vehicles and closing garage doors at night prevent easy targets for opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Marion County, IA?

Marion County has a total crime rate of 713.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (194.1 per 100K) and property crimes (519.6 per 100K).

Is Marion County, IA safe?

Marion County has a safety score of 70/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #49 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Marion County crime compare to the Iowa average?

Marion outperforms the Iowa average in every category, with a total crime rate well below the 1,095.3 state benchmark. Its safety score is also superior to the state average of 98.3.

What types of crime are most common in Marion County?

Violent crime stands at 194.1 per 100K, which is lower than both state and national averages. Property crime is also very low at 519.6, roughly a quarter of the national rate.

How is crime data measured and reported for Marion County?

Crime data for Marion 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 Marion County safer than the Iowa average?

Marion County has a safety score of 70/100, 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.