Pottawattamie County Crime & Safety

Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2748.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

422.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2326.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

10/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#93

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Crime rates exceed the national average

Pottawattamie County reports a total crime rate of 2748.5 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a respectable safety score of 95.7.

Trailing the Iowa safety average

The county's safety score of 95.7 is lower than the Iowa state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 2748.5 is also considerably higher than the statewide average of 1095.3 per 100K.

Comparison with regional peers

Pottawattamie County has a higher crime rate than nearby Page County at 1261.1. It also sees more activity than Polk County, which reports a rate of 1673.3 per 100K.

High property crime figures

Property crime is high at 2326.2 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 2,015.7. The violent crime rate of 422.3 also sits above the national average of 369.8.

Strengthening home security is key

With property crime above the national average, residents should prioritize home security upgrades. Four reporting agencies serve the area, and community awareness is essential for reducing these rates.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Pottawattamie County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Pottawattamie County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Pottawattamie County, IA?

Pottawattamie County has a total crime rate of 2748.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (422.3 per 100K) and property crimes (2326.2 per 100K).

Is Pottawattamie County, IA safe?

Pottawattamie County has a safety score of 10/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #93 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Pottawattamie County crime compare to the Iowa average?

The county's safety score of 95.7 is lower than the Iowa state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 2748.5 is also considerably higher than the statewide average of 1095.3 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Pottawattamie County?

Property crime is high at 2326.2 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 2,015.7. The violent crime rate of 422.3 also sits above the national average of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Pottawattamie County?

Crime data for Pottawattamie 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 Pottawattamie County?

Pottawattamie County has a safety score of 10/100, 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.