A+
66%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
71%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
65%
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 peopleUrbandale/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime369n/a (estimate)7971,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape3n/a6.542.540.0
Robbery3n/a6.521.666.1
Assault43n/a92.9220.7268.2
Violent crime49n/a (estimate)106287370
Burglary36n/a77.8218.6269.8
Theft236n/a509.9965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft48n/a103.7147.4282.7
Property crime320n/a (estimate)6911,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Urbandale, IA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Urbandale is 65.7% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 49 violent crimes reported in Urbandale, equivalent to 106 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 71.4%. Additionally, Urbandale recorded 320 property crimes, amounting to 691 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 64.6%.

Urbandale has a crime rate of 797, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Urbandale being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

With only 106 incidents per 100,000 people, Urbandale boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Urbandale has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

In the latest reported crime year, Urbandale 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.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Urbandale maintains a property crime rate of 691 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Urbandale as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Urbandale?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Urbandale to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 75% of people answered that there was very little crime in Urbandale and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 25% 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 Urbandale a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Urbandale 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, Urbandale has an overall crime rate that is 66% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 1.01 daily occurrences, comprising 0.13 violent crimes and 0.88 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Urbandale as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Urbandale Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Urbandale. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Urbandale has decreased by 19.6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 5.8%, while property crimes have decreased by 21.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Urbandale

Urbandale has a poverty rate that stands at 5.4, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Urbandale crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Urbandale, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.28, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Urbandale has a median home price of $242,500, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Urbandale crime map



The Urbandale crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Urbandale 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 Urbandale crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Urbandale 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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Compare Urbandale, IA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Urbandale crime rates are 66% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Urbandale are 71% lower than the national average
      • In Urbandale you have a 1 in 126 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Urbandale is safer than 76% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Urbandale has decreased by 21%

      Urbandale, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Urbandale

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        See all Urbandale poll results

        Daily Crime In Urbandale (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Urbandale, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Urbandale are 2.03 times less than the Iowa average and 2.92 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Urbandale are 2.71 times less than than Iowa and 3.49 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Urbandale are 1.93 times less than than Iowa and 2.83 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Urbandale (higher is better)

        How safe is Urbandale, Iowa compared to other cities in Iowa and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Urbandale is safer than 84% of the cities in Iowa and 76% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Iowa and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Urbandale. Overall, Urbandale is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Urbandale

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Urbandale is 1 in 945
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Urbandale is 1 in 145
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Urbandale is 1 in 126
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Urbandale? In Urbandale, you have a 1 in 945 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 145. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Urbandale, IA is 1 in 126.

        Year Over Year Crime In Urbandale (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Urbandale, Iowa (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Urbandale has decreased by 8%, the amount of property crime in Urbandale has decreased by 23%, and the total amount of crime in Urbandale has decreased by 21% year over year.

        Urbandale police department

        Item Urbandale Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)523,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.31.83.3
        There are a total of 52 Urbandale police officers. This results in 1.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 28.7% less than the Iowa average and 60.5% 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
        Norwalk, IA11,46756210266
        Polk City, IA4,79768287355
        Granger, IA1,89073340413
        Dallas Center, IA1,71092429521
        Van Meter, IA1,38696449546
        Saylorville, IA2,743102473575
        Cumming, IA536116538654
        Urbandale, IA43,879106691797

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        El Centro, CA43,8813432,0852,428
        Cutler Bay, FL43,9282511,5161,766
        Riverton, UT43,793801,0931,173
        The Colony, TX43,7912912,8183,109
        Altamonte Springs, FL43,9693952,2972,692
        Urbandale, IA43,879106691797
        Source: The Urbandale, 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.