F
95%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
237%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
68%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleCarter Lake/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime171n/a (estimate)4,5381,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape2n/a53.142.540.0
Robbery1n/a26.521.666.1
Assault44n/a1,167.7220.7268.2
Violent crime47n/a (estimate)1,247287370
Burglary18n/a477.7218.6269.8
Theft95n/a2,521.2965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft11n/a291.9147.4282.7
Property crime124n/a (estimate)3,2911,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Carter Lake, IA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Carter Lake is 95.3% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Carter Lake, there were 47 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1247 per 100,000 individuals, 237.3% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 124 property crimes, amounting to 3291 per 100,000 residents, 68.4% higher than the U.S. average.

In Carter Lake, the crime rate stands at 4538 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 95.26%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Carter Lake that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

Carter Lake ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1247 per 100,000 people, Carter Lake is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 81 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Carter Lake, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

In the latest reported crime year, Carter Lake recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Is Carter Lake a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Carter Lake is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Carter Lake has an overall crime rate that is 95% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.47 daily occurrences, comprising 0.13 violent crimes and 0.34 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Carter Lake as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Carter Lake Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Carter Lake has increased by 6.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Carter Lake is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 46.9%, while property crime has increased by 3.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Carter Lake.

Potential Causes for Crime in Carter Lake

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Carter Lake crime rates. The population density in Carter Lake is 2117.1 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Carter Lake, the cost of living is 12.81% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Carter Lake, the average monthly rent stands at $934, while the national average is $949 per month.

Carter Lake crime map



The Carter Lake crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Carter Lake as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Carter Lake crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Carter Lake crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Carter Lake crime rates are 95% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Carter Lake are 237% higher than the national average
      • In Carter Lake you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Carter Lake is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Carter Lake has increased by 7%

      Carter Lake, IA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Carter Lake (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Carter Lake, per 100,000 residents. In Carter Lake, the total number of daily crimes is 2.80 times more than the Iowa average and 1.95 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Carter Lake are 4.35 times more than the Iowa average and 3.37 times more than the national average. For property crime, Carter Lake has a daily crime rate that is 2.47 times more than the Iowa average and 1.68 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Carter Lake (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Iowa and all other cities across the US, is Carter Lake safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Carter Lake is safer than 0% of other cities in the state of Iowa. In addition, Carter Lake is safer than 2% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Iowa and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Carter Lake. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Carter Lake is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Carter Lake

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 81
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 31
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 23
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Carter Lake? In Carter Lake, IA you have a 1 in 81 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Carter Lake.

        Year Over Year Crime In Carter Lake (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Carter Lake is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Carter Lake has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 48% in Carter Lake, while property crimes in Carter Lake have decreased by 3%. Total crime has increased by 7% year over year.

        Carter Lake police department

        Item Carter Lake Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)103,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.61.83.3
        There are a total of 10 Carter Lake police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 45.4% greater than the Iowa average and 19.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Iowa

        State Total offenders Iowa /100K National /100K
        Iowa6,040205266
        There are a total of 6,040 sex offenders in Iowa. This yields a total of 205 sex offenders in Iowa per 100,000 residents which is 23% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bennington, NE2,07576509585
        Springfield, NE1,58299663763
        Papillion, NE24,310921,1441,236
        Underwood, IA9552411,1231,364
        Crescent, IA7532601,2121,472
        McClelland, IA1782641,2281,491
        Bellevue, NE63,9701821,3981,580
        Carter Lake, IA3,7991,2473,2914,538

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Plainwell, MI3,7992141,6851,899
        Sewickley, PA3,80053282336
        Brookville, PA3,8011729121,084
        Hazlehurst, MS3,8011441,0261,170
        Indian Head, MD3,8032451,0051,249
        Carter Lake, IA3,7991,2473,2914,538
        Source: The Carter Lake, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.