Story County Crime & Safety

Story County, Iowa

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1394.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

174.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1220.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

39/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#77

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Story County, Iowa

Story County Outperforms National Trends

Story County earns a strong 97.8 safety score, reflecting a total crime rate of 1,394.9 per 100,000 residents. This rate remains significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Local Safety in a University Hub

The county's crime rate sits slightly above the Iowa state average of 1,095.3, likely due to its high-density student population in Ames. Six reporting agencies work together to manage public safety across the metropolitan area.

Stronger Safety Than Most Urban Areas

Story County experiences higher property crime rates than its more rural neighbors, typical for a university center. However, its violent crime rate of 174.5 is notably lower than the Iowa state average of 216.5.

Property Concerns Over Violent Crime

Property crime is the primary concern here, occurring at a rate of 1,220.4 per 100,000 people. Violent crime remains relatively infrequent, staying well below both state and national benchmarks.

Focus on Personal Property Security

Since property crime is the most common local issue, residents should focus on securing valuables like bikes and electronics. Installing a video doorbell is a practical way to discourage porch theft in busy residential neighborhoods.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Story County, IA?

Story County has a total crime rate of 1394.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (174.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1220.4 per 100K).

Is Story County, IA safe?

Story County has a safety score of 39/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #77 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Story County crime compare to the Iowa average?

What types of crime are most common in Story County?

Property crime is the primary concern here, occurring at a rate of 1,220.4 per 100,000 people. Violent crime remains relatively infrequent, staying well below both state and national benchmarks.

How is crime data measured and reported for Story County?

Crime data for Story 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 Story County?

Story County has a safety score of 39/100, 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.