Polk County Crime & Safety

Polk County, Iowa

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1673.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

274.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1399.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#83

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Polk County, Iowa

Iowa's metro hub remains relatively safe

Polk County holds a strong safety score of 97.4, outperforming the national average. Its total crime rate of 1673.3 per 100K is lower than the U.S. national rate of 2,385.5.

Meeting the state's safety standards

With a safety score of 97.4, Polk County is just under the Iowa average of 98.3. For the state's most populous county, maintaining a crime rate of 1673.3 is a notable achievement compared to other urban centers.

Urban safety vs rural neighbors

Polk County's rate of 1673.3 is naturally higher than rural Ringgold County's 405.2. However, it is significantly lower than Pottawattamie County's rate of 2748.5 per 100K.

Violent crime stays below national levels

The violent crime rate of 274.0 is lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the most common issue at 1399.3 per 100K, though it remains below the national 2,015.7.

Security measures for city living

Residents benefit from the oversight of 10 reporting agencies across the county. In this urban environment, using smart doorbells and alarms is a practical way to deter property crimes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Polk County, IA?

Polk County has a total crime rate of 1673.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (274.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1399.3 per 100K).

Is Polk County, IA safe?

Polk County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #83 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Polk County crime compare to the Iowa average?

What types of crime are most common in Polk County?

The violent crime rate of 274.0 is lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the most common issue at 1399.3 per 100K, though it remains below the national 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Polk County?

Crime data for Polk 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 Polk County?

Polk County has a safety score of 30/100, 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.