B-
11%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
30%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
7%
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 peopleClear Lake/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime142n/a (estimate)1,8841,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape4n/a53.135.237.5
Robbery0n/a0.018.760.6
Assault15n/a199.0187.2256.1
Violent crime19n/a (estimate)252243359
Burglary14n/a185.8199.1229.2
Theft98n/a1,300.4962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft11n/a146.0135.1258.8
Property crime123n/a (estimate)1,6321,2971,760

Clear Lake crime map

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The Clear Lake crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Clear 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 Clear Lake crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Clear 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Clear 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 Clear Lake is 11.1% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 19 violent crimes reported in Clear Lake, equivalent to 252 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 29.8%. Additionally, Clear Lake recorded 123 property crimes, amounting to 1632 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 7.3%.

The Clear Lake crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Clear Lake, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

During the most recently reported crime year, Clear Lake experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Clear Lake maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Clear Lake, 1632 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.

Is Clear Lake a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Clear Lake, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Clear Lake presents a total crime rate that is 11% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Clear Lake experiences an average of 0.39 daily crimes, comprising 0.05 violent incidents and 0.34 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake has decreased by 26.8% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 9.5% and property crime has decreased by 28.9%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Clear Lake

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 Clear Lake, the cost of living is 3.51% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Clear Lake, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.7 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

In Clear Lake, the median home price stands at $324,932, 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.

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Clear Lake crime rates are 11% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Clear Lake are 30% lower than the national average
      • In Clear Lake you have a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Clear Lake is safer than 35% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Clear Lake has decreased by 21%

      Clear Lake, IA Crime Quiz

         

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

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Clear Lake, IA per 100,000 people. In Clear Lake, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.22 times more than the Iowa average and 1.12 times less than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Clear Lake is 1.04 times more than the Iowa average and 1.42 times less than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Clear Lake has a daily crime rate that is 1.26 times more than the Iowa average and 1.08 times less than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Clear Lake (higher is better)

        How safe is Clear Lake, Iowa compared to other cities in Iowa and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Clear Lake is safer than 25% of the cities in Iowa and 35% 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 Clear Lake. Overall, Clear Lake is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Clear Lake

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Clear Lake is 1 in 397
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Clear Lake is 1 in 62
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Clear Lake is 1 in 54
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Clear Lake? If you reside in Clear Lake, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 397. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 62 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Clear Lake, is 1 in 54.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Clear Lake is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Clear Lake has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 30% in Clear Lake, while property crimes in Clear Lake have decreased by 20%. Total crime has decreased by 21% year over year.

        Clear Lake police department

        Item Clear Lake Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)213,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.71.83.3
        There are a total of 21 Clear Lake police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 50% greater than the Iowa average and 16.9% 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
        Manly, IA1,533101538639
        Garner, IA3,134114607720
        Ventura, IA7831638711,035
        Forest City, IA4,2671961,0481,244
        Rockwell, IA8902581,3771,635
        Rock Falls, IA1672651,4161,682
        Fertile, IA3042721,4501,722
        Clear Lake, IA7,7752521,6321,884

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Kenwood, OH7,774103544647
        Belen, NM7,7711,1594,2355,394
        Meridianville, AL7,766184801985
        Robinwood, MD7,7663541,7272,081
        Brook Highland, AL7,784126549675
        Clear Lake, IA7,7752521,6321,884
        Source: The Clear 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.