Poweshiek County Crime & Safety

Poweshiek County, Iowa

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1596.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

236.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1359.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#81

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Poweshiek County, Iowa

Poweshiek County remains safer than average

Poweshiek County earns a safety score of 97.5, well above most U.S. counties. Its total crime rate of 1596.1 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Tracking near Iowa state averages

The county's safety score of 97.5 is slightly below the Iowa average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 1596.1 is higher than the statewide average of 1095.3 per 100K.

Middle-of-the-road safety for the region

Poweshiek County's crime rate is lower than Pottawattamie County's 2748.5. However, it is higher than more rural areas like Palo Alto County at 682.5 per 100K.

Low violent crime but persistent property issues

Violent crime is low at 236.5 per 100K, comfortably below the national 369.8. Property crime is higher at 1359.6, though it still falls below the national rate of 2,015.7.

Awareness helps keep Poweshiek safe

Two local agencies report data and manage public safety for the county. Residents can support these efforts by securing their property and reporting suspicious activity promptly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Poweshiek County, IA?

Poweshiek County has a total crime rate of 1596.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (236.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1359.6 per 100K).

Is Poweshiek County, IA safe?

Poweshiek County has a safety score of 32/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #81 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Poweshiek County crime compare to the Iowa average?

The county's safety score of 97.5 is slightly below the Iowa average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 1596.1 is higher than the statewide average of 1095.3 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Poweshiek County?

Violent crime is low at 236.5 per 100K, comfortably below the national 369.8. Property crime is higher at 1359.6, though it still falls below the national rate of 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Poweshiek County?

Crime data for Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County?

Poweshiek County has a safety score of 32/100, 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.