B-
45%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
11%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
53%
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 peopleCharles City/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime83n/a (estimate)1,1561,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape1n/a13.935.237.5
Robbery0n/a0.018.760.6
Assault22n/a306.5187.2256.1
Violent crime23n/a (estimate)320243359
Burglary18n/a250.8199.1229.2
Theft38n/a529.5962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft4n/a55.7135.1258.8
Property crime60n/a (estimate)8361,2971,760

Charles City crime map

Get this widget

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

The Charles City crime rates are 45.4% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 23 violent crimes in Charles City (320 per 100,000 people), which is 10.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 60 property crimes (836 per 100,000 residents) which is 52.5% lower than average.

The violent crime rate in Charles City closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 320 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 359. This consistency highlights Charles City as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.

Charles City 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.

Is Charles City a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Charles City is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Charles City has a total crime rate that is 45% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.23 daily crimes (0.06 violent daily crimes and 0.16 daily property crimes) in Charles City.

Has Crime in Charles City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Charles City has decreased by 35.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Charles City is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 4.6%, while property crime has decreased by 43.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Charles City.

Potential Causes for Crime in Charles City

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 Charles City, 82.3% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Charles City has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.77 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

The median home price in Charles City is $165,491, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Compare Charles City, IA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Charles City crime rates are 45% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Charles City are 11% lower than the national average
      • In Charles City you have a 1 in 87 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Charles City is safer than 37% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Charles City has decreased by 14%

      Charles City, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Charles City

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

        Daily Crime In Charles City (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Charles City, IA per 100,000 people. In Charles City, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.33 times less than the Iowa average and 1.83 times less than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Charles City is 1.32 times more than the Iowa average and 1.12 times less than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Charles City has a daily crime rate that is 1.55 times less than the Iowa average and 2.11 times less than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Charles City (higher is better)

        How safe is Charles City, Iowa compared to other cities in Iowa and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Charles City is safer than 26% of the cities in Iowa and 37% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Iowa and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Charles City. Overall, Charles City is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Charles City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Charles City is 1 in 313
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Charles City is 1 in 120
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Charles City is 1 in 87
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Charles City? In Charles City, you have a 1 in 313 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 120. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Charles City, IA is 1 in 87.

        Year Over Year Crime In Charles City (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Charles City is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Charles City has increased by 21% and the rate of property crime in Charles City has decreased by 22%. The total crime rate in Charles City has decreased by 14% year to year.

        Charles City police department

        Item Charles City Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)213,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.81.83.3
        There are a total of 21 Charles City police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 53.9% greater than the Iowa average and 14.7% 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
        Greene, IA1,22197518615
        Nashua, IA1,48099528627
        Colwell, IA622321,2391,471
        Rockford, IA8602681,4291,696
        Floyd, IA3202691,4371,706
        Bassett, IA432721,4511,723
        Ionia, IA3042791,4871,766
        Charles City, IA7,6243208361,156

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ben Lomond, CA7,624158676834
        Hubbard, OH7,6221851,2981,483
        Hillcrest, NY7,6282331,0541,286
        DuBois, PA7,6282071,4041,611
        Chesterland, OH7,616103542645
        Charles City, IA7,6243208361,156
        Source: The Charles City, 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.