Cedar Rapids, IA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Cedar Rapids, IA

The Cedar Rapids crime rates are 44.9% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 433 violent crimes in Cedar Rapids (320 per 100,000 people), which is 13.5% lower than the national average and there were a total of 4124 property crimes (3047 per 100,000 residents) which is 55.9% higher than average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Cedar Rapids?

AreaVibes surveyed 66 local residents in Cedar Rapids to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 59% of people answered that there was very little crime in Cedar Rapids and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 41% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Cedar Rapids a Safe Place to Live?

Is Cedar Rapids a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Cedar Rapids has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 45%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 12.48 daily incidents, encompassing 1.19 violent crimes and 11.3 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Cedar Rapids as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Cedar Rapids Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Cedar Rapids has increased by 10.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Cedar Rapids 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 decreased by 6.9%, while property crime has increased by 12.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Cedar Rapids.

Potential Causes for Crime in Cedar Rapids

In Cedar Rapids, the poverty rate currently stands at 11.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Cedar Rapids crime rates.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Cedar Rapids crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Cedar Rapids has an unemployment rate of 2.7%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Cedar Rapids has a population density of 1846.3 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Cedar Rapids crime rates.

Cedar Rapids crime map