A+
85%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
89%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
84%
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 peopleHarlan/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime17n/a (estimate)3441,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape1n/a20.342.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.021.666.1
Assault1n/a20.3220.7268.2
Violent crime2n/a (estimate)41287370
Burglary1n/a20.3218.6269.8
Theft10n/a202.6965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft4n/a81.0147.4282.7
Property crime15n/a (estimate)3041,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Harlan, IA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Harlan crime rate is 85.2% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Harlan, there were 2 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 41 per 100,000 individuals, 89% lower than the national average. Additionally, Harlan recorded 15 property crimes, amounting to 304 per 100,000 residents, 84.5% lower than the U.S. average.

With a crime rate of 344, significantly below the national average of 2324, Harlan stands out as one of the safest places to reside in the United States. This distinction is primarily attributed to the calculation of total crimes, which encompasses both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents.

With only 41 incidents per 100,000 people, Harlan 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, Harlan has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Harlan reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

In 1991, property crime rates in the United States soared to over 5,140 crimes per 100,000 people. In the years since, the U.S. property crime rate has continued to decline with the most recent year reporting only 1954 property crimes. In Harlan, the property crime rate was even less than the national average with a rate of 304, cementing it as one of the safest places to live with regards to property crime.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Harlan?

What do the local residents think about crime in Harlan? Well, based on a recent survey of 7 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 86% of Harlan residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 14% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Harlan a Safe Place to Live?

Is Harlan 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, Harlan has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 85%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.05 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.04 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Harlan as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Harlan Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Harlan crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Harlan has increased by 6.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 71.4% and property crime has increased by 66.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Harlan

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 Harlan 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. Harlan has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Harlan, 82.6% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

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 Harlan, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.77, 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.

Harlan crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Harlan crime rates are 85% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Harlan are 89% lower than the national average
      • In Harlan you have a 1 in 291 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Harlan is safer than 92% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Harlan has increased by 3%

      Harlan, IA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Harlan (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Harlan, per 100,000 residents. In Harlan, the total number of daily crimes is 4.70 times less than the Iowa average and 6.75 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Harlan are 7.07 times less than the Iowa average and 9.13 times less than the national average. For property crime, Harlan has a daily crime rate that is 4.38 times less than the Iowa average and 6.43 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Harlan (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Harlan to every other city in Iowa, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Harlan safe? The gauges above illustrate that Harlan is safer than 98% of every city located within Iowa along with 92% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Iowa and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Harlan, IA is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Harlan

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Harlan is 1 in 2469
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Harlan is 1 in 330
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Harlan is 1 in 291
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Harlan, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 2469. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 330 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Harlan is 1 in 291.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Harlan, 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 Harlan has decreased by 72%, the amount of property crime in Harlan has increased by 61%, and the total amount of crime in Harlan has increased by 2% year over year.

        Harlan police department

        Item Harlan Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)93,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.81.83.3
        There are a total of 9 Harlan police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 1.5% less than the Iowa average and 45.4% 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
        Avoca, IA1,368108503611
        Dunlap, IA1,214127591718
        Elk Horn, IA5483131,4561,769
        Earling, IA4163161,4701,786
        Panama, IA2723161,4731,789
        Minden, IA6483171,4751,791
        Neola, IA1,0553191,4871,806
        Harlan, IA4,81341304344

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Mount Carmel, OH4,8132681,6231,891
        Green Tree, PA4,81421561582
        Butler Beach, FL4,814103623726
        Mount Plymouth, FL4,8122501,5091,758
        Bay Hill, FL4,81567407474
        Harlan, IA4,81341304344
        Source: The Harlan, 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.