D+
6%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
15%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
4%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBurlington/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime525n/a (estimate)2,2391,5402,119
Murder2n/a8.52.15.0
Rape9n/a38.435.237.5
Robbery4n/a17.118.760.6
Assault82n/a349.8187.2256.1
Violent crime97n/a (estimate)414243359
Burglary64n/a273.0199.1229.2
Theft318n/a1,356.4962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft46n/a196.2135.1258.8
Property crime428n/a (estimate)1,8261,2971,760

Burlington crime map

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The Burlington crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Burlington 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 Burlington crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Burlington 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Burlington, 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 Burlington crime rate is higher than the national average by 5.7%. Specifically, there were 97 violent crimes in Burlington, equivalent to 414 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 15.2%. Furthermore, Burlington recorded 428 property crimes, amounting to 1826 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 3.7%.

When evaluating the Burlington crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Burlington crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

Burlington maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Burlington, 1826 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1760 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Burlington?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Burlington. Based on the results of the surveys (129 responses), 43% of people felt that there was very little crime in Burlington and felt safe walking alone at night. While 57% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Burlington a Safe Place to Live?

Is Burlington 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, Burlington has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 6%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.44 daily incidents, encompassing 0.27 violent crimes and 1.17 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Burlington as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Burlington 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 Burlington 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 Burlington has decreased by 41.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 29.2% and property crime has decreased by 43.9%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Burlington

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Burlington crime rates. For instance, in Burlington, the population density stands at 1774.4 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

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 Burlington, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.1, 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.

Burlington has an average rental rate of $1,236 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

Compare Burlington, IA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Burlington crime rates are 6% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Burlington are 15% higher than the national average
      • In Burlington you have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Burlington is safer than 20% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Burlington has decreased by 21%

      Burlington, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Burlington

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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Burlington?
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        Daily Crime In Burlington (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Burlington, IA per 100,000 people. In Burlington, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.45 times more than the Iowa average and 1.06 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Burlington is 1.70 times more than the Iowa average and 1.15 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Burlington has a daily crime rate that is 1.41 times more than the Iowa average and 1.04 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Burlington (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Burlington to every other city in Iowa, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Burlington safe? The gauges above illustrate that Burlington is safer than 10% of every city located within Iowa along with 20% 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, Burlington, IA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Burlington

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Burlington is 1 in 242
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Burlington is 1 in 55
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Burlington is 1 in 45
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Burlington, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 242. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 55 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 Burlington is 1 in 45.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Burlington, IA is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Burlington has decreased by 25%, while the property crime rate in Burlington has decreased by 20% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Burlington has decreased by 21% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Burlington police department

        Item Burlington Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)543,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.11.83.3
        There are a total of 54 Burlington police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.8% greater than the Iowa average and 35.3% 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
        Mediapolis, IA2,17893497590
        New London, IA2,520120638758
        Dallas City, IL1,093137815953
        Denmark, IA516152810962
        Stronghurst, IL1,100143849992
        Oquawka, IL1,3891468661,012
        Biggsville, IL4521801,0701,250
        Burlington, IA25,6534141,8262,239

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ardmore, OK25,6661,1413,1064,247
        North Laurel, MD25,6343291,6041,932
        Muskego, WI25,672121,5321,544
        Paris, TX25,6346212,7063,327
        Decatur, GA25,6771332,2692,401
        Burlington, IA25,6534141,8262,239
        Source: The Burlington, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.