Palo Alto County Crime & Safety

Palo Alto County, Iowa

Safety Score

71/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

682.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

257.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

425.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

71/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#44

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Palo Alto County, Iowa

High safety marks for Palo Alto County

Palo Alto County earns an impressive safety score of 98.9, far exceeding the national baseline. Its total crime rate of 682.5 per 100K is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Iowa in community safety

The county's safety score of 98.9 beats the Iowa state average of 98.3. With a total crime rate of 682.5, it remains much safer than the state average of 1095.3 per 100K.

Local safety leader in the region

Palo Alto County is notably safer than Plymouth County, which reports a high crime rate of 12396.1 per 100K. It tracks closely with Pocahontas County, both representing some of the state's quietest areas.

Low rates across all crime categories

Violent crime is low at 257.3 per 100K, well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also minimal, sitting at 425.2 per 100K compared to the national 2,015.7.

Maintaining peace in Palo Alto

While rates are low, residents should continue standard safety practices to maintain this high safety score. Supporting the two local reporting agencies through community watch programs helps preserve this secure environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Palo Alto County, IA?

Palo Alto County has a total crime rate of 682.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (257.3 per 100K) and property crimes (425.2 per 100K).

Is Palo Alto County, IA safe?

Palo Alto County has a safety score of 71/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #44 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Palo Alto County crime compare to the Iowa average?

The county's safety score of 98.9 beats the Iowa state average of 98.3. With a total crime rate of 682.5, it remains much safer than the state average of 1095.3 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Palo Alto County?

Violent crime is low at 257.3 per 100K, well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also minimal, sitting at 425.2 per 100K compared to the national 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Palo Alto County?

Crime data for Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto County safer than the Iowa average?

Palo Alto County has a safety score of 71/100, 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.