By Ben Jones|Updated on December 20, 2022(Originally published December 15, 2022)
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
There’s a lot to love about the Hawkeye State – stunning natural beauty, vibrant industries, friendly people, and charming cities and towns. But when it comes to safety, not all Iowa cities are equal. Safewise recently released its Safest Cities Report, a study that uses Federal violent and property crime data to rank cities. Here are the safest cities in Iowa.
This city in northwestern Iowa is the county seat of Clay County and home to the Clay County Fair, an event that draws more than 300,000 people a year. It's also the tenth city on the Safewise top 10 list for safest places in Iowa. Spencer, Iowa is always a great choice when you're looking for a fun place to go with the kids.
Famous for its Tulips, Pella calls itself America's Dutch Treasure! It also can call itself a safe city, making the Safewise top-10 list. When you're hoping for a beautiful town to visit or live in, you can't go wrong with Pella, Iowa.
This community is rich in natural resources and Norwegian heritage. Its crime rate is the eighth-lowest in the state, which is an impressive statistic. You will certainly be able to feel safe in Decorah, Iowa.
The community of Charles City, Iowa calls itself America's Hometown. Some of the earliest tractors were built here. There's some interesting agricultural history for you. The crime rate is much lower in Charles City than it is in a typical Iowa city, making this town a great place to be whether you are looking for a place to live with your family or just want to visit to check it out.
This Des Moines suburb has a great mix of shopping, dining and attractions and it has plenty of community pride. The city can be proud of its public safety record, with one of the state's lowest crime rates. Urbandale, Iowa is a lovely place to raise a family.
This city is the fastest-growing large city in Iowa, gaining on average six new residents every day. They can feel safe - the city is #5 on the Safewise safe cities list. It is easy to see why so many people are heading to Waukee, Iowa these days.
The Des Moines suburb of Norwalk touts its schools and a great safety record. The data backs it up - Safewise ranks it as the fourth on the list of the safest places to live in Iowa. Norwalk, Iowa is also full of fun charm and is an excellent place to live.
This community is a west suburb of Des Moines that's home to more than 15,000 people. The Greenbelt Park and trail system run through the community and the city experiences relatively little crime. As a matter of fact, it's Iowa's third-safest city. When you want to make sure that you and your loved ones feel safe and taken care of, head to Clive, Iowa.
Just north of Davenport, you'll find the charming city of Eldridge. Its main street is lined with restaurants and shops and each year, crowds gather to participate in the community's Moonlight Chase road race. Here's one more claim to fame for the community - it's the second-safest city in Iowa. There is so much to love about the great town of Eldridge, Iowa!
So what's the safest town in Iowa? In far Northwestern Iowa, Sioux Center has the title. It's known for its Dutch heritage, agricultural industry, and Dordt University. It's also the safest city in Iowa, with a violent crime rate of 0.4 percent and a property crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 people. These impressive statistics demonstrate how much there is to celebrate about Sioux Center, Iowa.
Did any of these cities or statistics surprise you? What is your favorite city on this list? Is there one in particular that stands out in terms of a nice, safe feeling? Please let us know in the comments section!
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Safest Cities in Iowa
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