F
150%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
56%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
170%
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 peopleCarter Lake/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime199n/a (estimate)5,3081,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape1n/a26.735.237.5
Robbery4n/a106.718.760.6
Assault16n/a426.8187.2256.1
Violent crime21n/a (estimate)560243359
Burglary33n/a880.2199.1229.2
Theft124n/a3,307.6962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft21n/a560.1135.1258.8
Property crime178n/a (estimate)4,7481,2971,760

Carter Lake crime map

Get this widget

The Carter Lake crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Carter 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 Carter Lake crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Carter 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.
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in Carter Lake, IA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Carter Lake is 150.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 21 violent crimes reported in Carter Lake, equivalent to 560 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 56%. Additionally, Carter Lake recorded 178 property crimes, amounting to 4748 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 169.8%.

Having a crime rate of 5308 per 100,000 residents, Carter Lake experiences a crime rate that is 150.48% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Carter Lake contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Carter Lake 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.

Carter Lake faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4748 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Carter Lake stands at 1 in 22, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

With a total of 21 vehicle thefts last year, Carter Lake has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 560 per 100,000 people. This lands Carter Lake in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 179.

Is Carter Lake a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Carter 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, Carter Lake has an overall crime rate that is 150% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.55 daily occurrences, comprising 0.06 violent crimes and 0.49 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Carter Lake as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Carter Lake Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Carter Lake. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Carter Lake has increased by 23.6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 34.4%, while property crimes have increased by 38%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Carter Lake

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Carter Lake crime rates. Carter Lake registers a population density of 2081.6 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Carter Lake, the cost of living is 12.53% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

In Carter Lake, the median home price stands at $206,355, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Compare Carter Lake, IA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Carter Lake crime rates are 150% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Carter Lake are 56% higher than the national average
      • In Carter Lake you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Carter Lake is safer than 6% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Carter Lake has increased by 4%

      Carter Lake, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Carter Lake

        See all the best places to live around Carter Lake
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Carter Lake?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Carter Lake?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Carter Lake poll results

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

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Carter Lake, per 100,000 residents. In Carter Lake, the total number of daily crimes is 3.45 times more than the Iowa average and 2.50 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Carter Lake are 2.30 times more than the Iowa average and 1.56 times more than the national average. For property crime, Carter Lake has a daily crime rate that is 3.66 times more than the Iowa average and 2.70 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Carter Lake (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Iowa and all other cities across the US, is Carter Lake safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Carter Lake is safer than 1% of other cities in the state of Iowa. In addition, Carter Lake is safer than 6% 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 Carter Lake. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Carter Lake is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Carter Lake

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 179
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 22
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Carter Lake is 1 in 19
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Carter Lake? In Carter Lake, IA you have a 1 in 179 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 22 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Carter Lake.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Carter Lake is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Carter Lake has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 9% in Carter Lake, while property crimes in Carter Lake have increased by 6%. Total crime has increased by 4% year over year.

        Carter Lake police department

        Item Carter Lake Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)103,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.61.83.3
        There are a total of 10 Carter Lake police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 45.4% greater than the Iowa average and 19.4% 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
        Bennington, NE2,12442314356
        Springfield, NE1,62862461523
        Crescent, IA777144771915
        Papillion, NE24,905341,0041,038
        McClelland, IA1841779451,122
        Bellevue, NE65,626991,1321,231
        La Vista, NE17,506491,1851,234
        Carter Lake, IA3,8915604,7485,308

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Val Verde Park, TX3,8912601,3631,623
        Buckhead, GA3,89162319381
        Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA3,8901301,9872,117
        Cozad, NE3,889102306408
        Fordyce, AR3,8897873,3684,155
        Carter Lake, IA3,8915604,7485,308
        Source: The Carter Lake, 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.