O'Brien County Crime & Safety

O'Brien County, Iowa

Safety Score

58/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

969.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

268.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

700.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

58/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#59

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in O'Brien County, Iowa

O'Brien County Maintains High Safety Standard

O'Brien County enjoys a safety score of 98.5, underpinned by a total crime rate of 969.0 per 100,000. This is substantially safer than the national average, which is nearly 2.5 times higher.

Violent Crime Trends vs. State Average

While the total crime rate is lower than the Iowa average of 1,095.3, the violent crime rate of 268.8 is higher than the state average of 216.5. This indicates a different risk profile compared to other Iowa counties.

O'Brien Compared to Regional Neighbors

O'Brien is safer than Muscatine but has nearly triple the crime rate of neighboring Osceola County. It reflects a middle ground in terms of regional public safety.

A Closer Look at the Crime Mix

Property crime sits at 700.2 per 100,000, but the violent crime rate of 268.8 warrants attention. Residents should be aware that while total crime is low, violent incidents occur more frequently than the state norm.

Heightened Security for Peace of Mind

Focus on well-lit entryways and reinforced door frames to increase home security. Staying aware of your surroundings is particularly important given the county's slightly elevated violent crime metrics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in O'Brien County, IA?

O'Brien County has a total crime rate of 969.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (268.8 per 100K) and property crimes (700.2 per 100K).

Is O'Brien County, IA safe?

O'Brien County has a safety score of 58/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #59 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does O'Brien County crime compare to the Iowa average?

What types of crime are most common in O'Brien County?

How is crime data measured and reported for O'Brien County?

Crime data for O'Brien 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 O'Brien County?

O'Brien County has a safety score of 58/100, 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.