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Crime Statistics in Iowa

Iowa contributes crime incident data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting program that tabulates and aggregates crime incident data from around the country. In Iowa, criminal data is gathered from 233 state law enforcement agencies, local police forces, and sheriff offices. Central to this data collection effort is the tabulation of data for serious crimes that together comprise the Crime Index.

Iowa Crime Index

The criminal acts that compose the Crime Index are divided into two categories: violent crimes and property crimes. Violent crimes tabulated as part of the Crime Index include murder, aggravated assault, forcible rape and robbery. Property crimes tabulated as part of the Crime Index include burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the 2008 Iowa Crime Index was 9.2 percent lower than the previous year. In 2007, 3010.6 serious crimes were committed per 100,000 persons, while in 2008 2735.1 serious crimes were committed per 100,000 persons.

If you have further questions on the Iowa Crime index and related laws, consult knowledgeable Iowa criminal lawyers today.  They can answer all of your questions and advise you on any state and federal law that applies to your case.

Violent and Property Crime Rates

The Uniform Crime Report compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that Iowa experienced a lower rate of both violent crimes and property crimes than the Midwest or the nation as a whole in 2008.

• The national violent crime rate was 454.5 per 100,000 persons, while the rate in the Midwest as a whole was 400.1. The violent crime rate in Iowa was 283.8.
• Iowa’s murder rate, 2.5 per 100,000, was less than half the national rate of 5.4.
• The rate of forcible rape in Iowa, 29.6 per 100,000, was only negligently more than the national rate of 29.3.
• Robbery rates in Iowa were less than one third the national rate in 2008—41.6 per 100,000 compared with 145.3.
• The Iowa property crime rate in 2008—2,420.9 per 100,000—was significantly lower than both the Midwest rate (3,066.5) and the national rate (3,212.5).
• The rate of motor vehicle theft in Iowa, 144.3 per 100,000, was less than half the national rate of 314.7.

The crime rates above are tabulations only of arrests for specific crimes. They are not indicative in any way of convictions, prison sentences, or any other outcome of the judicial system. Low crime rates do not reflect lenient criminal laws in Iowa. If you have been accused of a crime, you have a right to a criminal defense lawyer.

Information provided by the Iowa criminal law attorney at:

McCarthy & Hamrock PC
1200 Valley West Drive #400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 279-9700