While perhaps best known for its corn and agriculture industry, Iowa should also be known for its natural beauty, state fairs and being the founder of sliced bread. Led by capital city Des Moines, Iowa has a number of growing cities thanks to a more diversified economy.
Ready to move to the Hawkeye State? We’ve compiled a list of the 10 safest cities in the state to help inform your choice.
The "Safest Cities" series evaluates and ranks the safest cities in each U.S. state using crime data from the FBI and state databases. Our analysis considers population size, violent and nonviolent crime rates, the most common crime, and comparisons to national and state averages. Violent crimes include homicide, assault, robbery, and sexual assault, while nonviolent crimes encompass burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offenses. Each city’s safety score is weighted, emphasizing violent crimes. Data inconsistencies and reporting variations are acknowledged as limitations. This analysis aims to help individuals and families make informed decisions about where to live.
The Top 10 Safest Cities & Towns in Iowa
1. Sioux Center
Population: 7,578
Violent Crimes: 2 (0.0264 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 21 (0.2771 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Aggravated Assault
88.18% Below National Crime Rate, 84.37% Below State Crime Rate
Topping the list of safest cities in Iowa is Sioux Center. While there has been urban development, this Sioux County community primarily focuses on agricultural businesses. Residents of Sioux Center can enjoy such amenities as a seven-mile recreational trail throughout the town and a large golf course.
Sioux Center’s recreational trail is seven miles of winding pavement that connects to parks, schools and neighborhoods, according to siouxcenter.org. It runs north to south right through the town, and welcomes people looking to walk and jog, as well as cyclists and rollerbladers. The website also features a map of the trail that users can view.
Ridge Golf Club is another prominent feature of the town: an 18-hole professional golf course that welcomes players of a variety of skill levels. It measures 7200 yards, and a par 71 course that is meticulously maintained. The course was named 2012 Iowa Golf Course of the Year, and on 2019 hosted the Iowa State Amateur Championship.
Sioux Center is home to Dordt University, a private Christian university. It has an acceptance rate of 88 percent, and in Fall 2023 had an undergraduate enrollment of 1692. Education tops the leaderboard of its programs, with 21 percent of its graduates holding a degree in education.
2. Norwalk
Population: 10,874
Violent Crimes: 9 (0.0828 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 90 (0.8277 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
64.55% Below National Crime Rate, 53.11% Below State Crime Rate
Norwalk is part of the Des Moines metro area and is primarily located in Warren County, with a small portion located in adjacent Polk County. Incorporated in 1900, Norwalk has grown in size as more land was annexed into its territory. Norwalk now has three golf courses and the McAninch Sports Complex, which hosts softball, baseball and soccer events. New construction homes in Norwalk average between $200,000 and $250,000.
The McAninch Sports Complex is a large outdoor space and has a number of multifunction fields for use for soccer and football, in addition to six fields specifically for baseball and softball. The amenities for the facilities include pitching machines, screens and mounds, as well as restrooms and concession. Additionally, the complex offers part-time positions as referees, umpires and supervisors. More information about the facilities and their features can be found on the city of Norwalk's website.
The Norwalk Easter Library is another feature of the city. The city of Norwalk has entered into an agreement with Diligent Development to expand the library, allowing for more space to accommodate more people and more importantly, space for more books and resources. The library is also one of many in Iowa that issue Adventure Passes to members with a library card. These passes grant holders access to a number of different venues, including a zoo, museum and botanical gardens. Additional information on the library's services is available on the library's website.
3. Eldridge
Population: 6,406
Violent Crimes: 6 (0.0937 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 50 (0.7805 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
65.96% Below National Crime Rate, 54.98% Below State Crime Rate
Eldridge is named after its founder, Jacob Eldridge, who arrived in the area in the mid-1800s. Despite facing several initial hardships, Eldridge has seen an increase in population over the decades, and houses there average in the mid-$200,000s.
The city boasts a number of parks and places for outdoor recreation, as well as a hiking trail. Eldridge is close to urban centers with museums, a conservatory and a zoo for families to enjoy. Scott County Park has campgrounds, shelters, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and cabins for rental year-round, and is a short drive north of Davenport, Iowa.
Additionally, Eldridge is close to the "Quad Cities", a group of four cities that consist of Moline and Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa. A quick drive south from Eldridge will get visitors to Davenport or Bettendorf, with the Illinois side just a bit further down the highway. More information about the many activities visitors can get up to in the Quad Cities can be found here.
4. Orange City
Population: 6,199
Violent Crimes: 8 (0.1291 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 32 (0.5162 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
74.88% Below National Crime Rate, 66.77% Below State Crime Rate
Orange City is the county seat of Sioux County. Named after William of Orange, Orange City celebrates its Dutch history, namely through its annual Tulip Festival, which attracts more than 100,000 people each spring. With low crime rates across the board, residents can enjoy the town’s historic architecture and stores with peace of mind.
The Tulip Festival is Orange City's main attraction: a festival that honors the city's Dutch roots. The festival began in 1936 and has grown from a small celebration to an event that hosts thousands. There are a number of events that take place during the festival: there's a carnival, car show, trolley tours and of course, a tulip field. All the information a visitor needs can be found on the Tulip Festival website.
Aside from the festival, Orange City boasts other activities for its residents to enjoy. Northwestern College is home to a small but thriving theater arts program, and the Orange City Arts Council organizes events and classes for arts ranging from painting to playing in the city's Windmill Square. The farmer's market, Landsmeer Golf Club and Orange City Municipal Aquatic Center provide residents and visitors with a great itinerary of options to spend their time. Information about the city and its features can be found here.
5. Decorah
Population: 7,883
Violent Crimes: 4 (0.0507 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 84 (1.0656 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Car Theft
56.54% Below National Crime Rate, 42.50% Below State Crime Rate
Decorah, the county seat of Winneshiek County, may be small, but it offers a plethora of things to do, including visiting its multiple museums, touring fish hatcheries and enjoying local parks and rivers.
The Upper Iowa River and the Turkey River are very close to Decorah, giving residents access to recreational activities such as tubing, canoeing and kayaking. Many of the streams that originate from these rivers feature a variety of fish such as bass, walleye and most notably, trout. This makes the rivers and streams great spots for anglers and recreational fishing.
The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Heritage Museum and Folk Art School are some of the most notable attractions of Decorah. It invites visitors to view the American immigrant experience through the eyes of a Norwegian immigrant via 12 historical buildings and over 33,000 artifacts. The museum offers classes on Norwegian folk art as well, where students can learn woodworking, knife-making, jewelry and fiber arts.
Ready to move to this scenic town? Houses average in the high $100,000s.
6. Johnston
Population: 21,816
Violent Crimes: 32 (0.1467 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 242 (1.1093 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
51.10% Below National Crime Rate, 35.31% Below State Crime Rate
With a population of more than 20,000 residents, Johnston is one of the largest cities on our list. Located just north of Des Moines, this Polk County community offers more than 40 miles of nature trails and greenery, as well as its popular Jazz in July in the parks. Johnston is also known for having a solid education system.
The city of Johnston is planning a $5.4 million improvement to its Terra Park, including an 8-acre lake for fishing, a fishing pier, a lawn space for concerts and games, an open-air amphitheater, walking and hiking trails, playgrounds for families and native Iowa flora. The city's Kites on the Green festival happens in early May; nearly 3,000 residents gather in the green area next to the public library and fly kites with their families. The Green Days event in June is a community celebration that started in 1996, and Jazz in July brings residents together during the summer to enjoy live music.
7. Clive
Population: 17,913
Violent Crimes: 14 (0.0782 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 272 (1.5185 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
37.84% Below National Crime Rate, 17.77% Below State Crime Rate
Located west of Des Moines in both Dallas and Polk counties, Clive is another larger city on our list, with nearly 18,000 residents calling it home. Incorporated in 1956, Clive is well known for its green belt and nature trails. Twelve hundred acres of land are currently under development for commercial and residential purposes, so now is a great time to check out the city. Clive has more than earned its slogan of “where good things are happening.”
8. Carroll
Population: 9,920
Violent Crimes: 2 (0.0202 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 168 (01.6935 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
33.28% Below National Crime Rate, 11.73% Below State Crime Rate
The county seat of Carroll County, the town of Carroll is surrounded by natural beauty, including Swan Lake State Park, which features 67 acres of land and water. Carroll also has an affordable housing market, with prices averaging in the low to mid-$100,000s.
9. Waukee
Population: 20,359
Violent Crimes: 31 (0.1523 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 238 (1.169 per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
48.56% Below National Crime Rate, 31.95% Below State Crime Rate
Incorporated in 1878, Waukee started as a small coal mining community but has grown to a thriving city of some 20,000 residents and was selected by Apple in 2017 as the home for a new data center campus. If you want to learn more about Waukee’s origins, you can visit the Coal Mine Museum located within the Waukee Public Library.
10. Denison
Population: 8,304
Violent Crimes: 15 (0.1806 per capita)
Nonviolent Crimes: 65 (0.7828per capita)
Most Common Crime: Larceny and Burglary
62.49% Below National Crime Rate, 50.38% Below State Crime Rate
Denison, the county seat of Crawford County, boasts many activities, including a golf course, eight parks, an aquatic center and athletic leagues. Denison is also home to the only Job Corps facility in the state. If you’re looking to call Denison your home, houses average in the low $100,000s.
Other Iowa Resources
Best Modular Home Builders in Iowa
The 10 Best State Parks in Iowa
The Most Affordable Cities in Iowa
Guide to Closing Costs in Iowa
Sarah Scott
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.