C+
28%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
4%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
32%
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 peopleStorm Lake/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime189n/a (estimate)1,6761,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape4n/a35.542.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.021.666.1
Assault36n/a319.3220.7268.2
Violent crime40n/a (estimate)355287370
Burglary27n/a239.5218.6269.8
Theft114n/a1,011.2965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft8n/a71.0147.4282.7
Property crime149n/a (estimate)1,3221,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Storm Lake, IA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Storm Lake crime rate is lower than the national average by 27.9%. Specifically, there were 40 violent crimes in Storm Lake, equivalent to 355 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 4.1%. Furthermore, Storm Lake recorded 149 property crimes, amounting to 1322 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 32.4%.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Storm Lake has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 355 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

Storm Lake showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Storm Lake?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Storm Lake residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 8 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 25% of Storm Lake residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 75% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Storm Lake a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Storm Lake 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, Storm Lake has an overall crime rate that is 28% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.52 daily occurrences, comprising 0.11 violent crimes and 0.41 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Storm Lake as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Storm Lake Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Storm Lake. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Storm Lake has increased by 10.5%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 37.9%, while property crime has increased by 4.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Storm Lake.

Potential Causes for Crime in Storm Lake

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Storm Lake, 62.4% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Storm Lake, the cost of living is 16.74% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Storm Lake, the average rental rates are $695 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Storm Lake crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Storm Lake crime rates are 28% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Storm Lake are 4% lower than the national average
      • In Storm Lake you have a 1 in 60 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Storm Lake is safer than 36% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Storm Lake has increased by 2%

      Storm Lake, IA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Storm Lake (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Storm Lake, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Storm Lake are 1.04 times more than the Iowa average and 1.39 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Storm Lake are 1.24 times more than than Iowa and 1.04 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Storm Lake are 1.01 times less than than Iowa and 1.48 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Storm Lake (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Iowa and all other cities across the US, is Storm Lake safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Storm Lake is safer than 40% of other cities in the state of Iowa. In addition, Storm Lake is safer than 36% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Iowa and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Storm Lake. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Storm Lake is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Storm Lake

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 282
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 76
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 60
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Storm Lake? In Storm Lake, IA you have a 1 in 282 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 76 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 60 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Storm Lake.

        Year Over Year Crime In Storm Lake (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Storm Lake is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Storm Lake has increased by 28%, while the property crime rate in Storm Lake has decreased by 3% year over year. The number of total crimes in Storm Lake has increased by 2% year over year.

        Storm Lake police department

        Item Storm Lake Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)233,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.11.83.3
        There are a total of 23 Storm Lake police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 19.1% greater than the Iowa average and 34% 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
        Newell, IA845127592720
        Alta, IA1,978129600729
        Lakeside, IA9902931,3651,658
        Aurelia, IA8923371,5711,908
        Albert City, IA5893871,8032,190
        Early, IA7453991,8592,258
        Schaller, IA7024071,8972,304
        Storm Lake, IA10,5083551,3221,676

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Alpine, UT10,50992722814
        West Vero Corridor, FL10,5072981,8032,102
        Oregon, WI10,51387624711
        West Point, MS10,5178692,5573,427
        Wyomissing, PA10,499144764909
        Storm Lake, IA10,5083551,3221,676
        Source: The Storm Lake, 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.