Washington County Crime & Safety

Washington County, Iowa

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1335.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

319.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1016.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

State avg 60/100

State Safety Rank

#75

of 99 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Washington County, Iowa

Solid Safety Performance in Washington County

Washington County holds a safety score of 97.9, showing a strong commitment to public security. Its total crime rate of 1,335.7 per 100,000 residents is much lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This indicates a lower-than-average risk for residents compared to the rest of the United States.

Washington County in the Iowa Context

The county’s safety score of 97.9 is just below the Iowa state average of 98.3. However, its total crime rate of 1,335.7 is slightly higher than the state average of 1,095.3. Local law enforcement activity is slightly more frequent here than in Iowa's most rural areas.

How Washington Compares to Neighbors

With a crime rate of 1,335.7, Washington County sits between neighbors like Warren (882.2) and Webster (2,784.8). This mid-range rate is based on data from two reporting agencies. It reflects a moderately active law enforcement environment typical for the region.

Property and Violent Crime Trends

Property crime leads local statistics with a rate of 1,016.2 per 100,000 people, while violent crime is reported at 319.5. The violent crime rate remains below the national average of 369.8. Most local incidents involve non-violent property disputes or thefts.

Proactive Home Protection Tips

Maintaining home security through smart locks and well-lit entryways is effective against local property crime. Neighbors looking out for one another remains the best defense in Washington County. Regular security audits of your property can prevent the most common local incidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Washington County, IA?

Washington County has a total crime rate of 1335.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (319.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1016.2 per 100K).

Is Washington County, IA safe?

Washington County has a safety score of 41/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #75 out of 99 counties in Iowa for safety (1 = safest).

How does Washington County crime compare to the Iowa average?

What types of crime are most common in Washington County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Washington County?

Crime data for Washington 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 Washington County?

Washington County has a safety score of 41/100, 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.