Mills County Crime & Safety

Mills County, Iowa

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1088.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

171.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

917.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#67

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Mills County, Iowa

Mills County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Mills County reports a total crime rate of 1,088.7 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.3 out of 100.

Tracking Closely with Iowa State Averages

The county's crime rate sits just below the Iowa state average of 1,095.3 per 100,000. While very safe, it mirrors the general public safety profile seen across much of rural Iowa.

Comparing Safety Levels with Nearby Counties

Mills is significantly safer than Muscatine County, which sees 1,342.9 crimes per 100,000 people. However, it experiences higher crime rates than Mitchell County to the north.

The Balance of Local Crime Types

Property crime accounts for the bulk of local incidents at 917.5 per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 171.2. These figures suggest residents are much more likely to encounter theft than physical harm.

Practical Steps for Mills County Residents

Despite low rates, installing outdoor lighting and smart cameras helps deter property crime. Staying proactive ensures Mills County maintains its status as one of the safer regions in the country.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Mills County, IA?

Mills County has a total crime rate of 1088.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (171.2 per 100K) and property crimes (917.5 per 100K).

Is Mills County, IA safe?

Mills 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 #67 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Mills County crime compare to the Iowa average?

The county's crime rate sits just below the Iowa state average of 1,095.3 per 100,000. While very safe, it mirrors the general public safety profile seen across much of rural Iowa.

What types of crime are most common in Mills County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Mills County?

Crime data for Mills 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 Mills County?

Mills 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.