A+
88%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
58%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
93%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 peopleDecorah/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime22n/a (estimate)2831,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape1n/a12.942.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.021.666.1
Assault11n/a141.7220.7268.2
Violent crime12n/a (estimate)155287370
Burglary1n/a12.9218.6269.8
Theft9n/a115.9965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.0147.4282.7
Property crime10n/a (estimate)1291,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Decorah, IA

The Decorah crime rates are 87.8% 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 12 violent crimes in Decorah (155 per 100,000 people), which is 58.2% lower than the national average and there were a total of 10 property crimes (129 per 100,000 residents) which is 93.4% lower than average.

Decorah proudly maintains an impressively low crime rate, registering at a mere 283, which sharply contrasts with the national average of 2324. This stark contrast firmly positions Decorah as one of the most secure residential destinations throughout the entire United States. The total crime rate takes into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, offering an invaluable assessment of the area's safety suitability for living.

Decorah 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.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Decorah maintains a property crime rate of 129 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Decorah as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

The United States faces a global challenge with vehicle theft rates, averaging around 300 incidents per 100,000 individuals. Interestingly, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to not report any stolen vehicles. In the latest crime report, Decorah was among these cities, with no reported vehicle thefts, reaffirming its commitment to safety and security.

Is Decorah a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Decorah a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Decorah crime rate is 88% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.06 crimes per day - 0.03 violent crimes and 0.03 property crimes.

Has Crime in Decorah Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Decorah. 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 Decorah has decreased by 38.9%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 71.4%, while property crime has decreased by 65.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Decorah.

Potential Causes for Crime in Decorah

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 Decorah, 93.1% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, 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 Decorah, the cost of living is 14.39% 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 Decorah, the average rental rates are $652 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Decorah crime map



The Decorah crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Decorah 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 Decorah crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Decorah 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.
New Real Estate Listings in Decorah Area
Search Homes for Sale in Decorah, IA

Compare Decorah, IA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Decorah crime rates are 88% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Decorah are 58% lower than the national average
      • In Decorah you have a 1 in 353 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Decorah is safer than 77% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Decorah has decreased by 42%

      Decorah, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Decorah

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

        Daily Crime In Decorah (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Decorah, IA per 100,000 people. In Decorah, the total number of daily crimes is 5.71 times less than the Iowa average and 8.20 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Decorah is 1.85 times less than the Iowa average and 2.39 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Decorah has a daily crime rate that is 10.34 times less than the Iowa average and 15.17 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Decorah (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Decorah, Iowa compared to other areas of Iowa, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Decorah safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Decorah is safer than 85% of Iowa cities, and 77% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Iowa, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Decorah. At this time, Decorah sees a above average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Decorah

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Decorah is 1 in 647
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Decorah is 1 in 777
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Decorah is 1 in 353
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Decorah? In Decorah, IA you have a 1 in 647 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 777 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 353 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Decorah.

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

        A good indicator of whether Decorah 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 Decorah has increased by 65%, while the property crime rate in Decorah has decreased by 67% year over year. The number of total crimes in Decorah has decreased by 42% year over year.

        Decorah police department

        Item Decorah Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)193,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.31.83.3
        There are a total of 19 Decorah police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 29.4% greater than the Iowa average and 28.3% 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
        Calmar, IA989118548666
        Jackson Junction, IA89126585711
        Burr Oak, IA2002871,3351,621
        Ridgeway, IA2583331,5531,886
        Ossian, IA7983351,5601,896
        Fort Atkinson, IA3823371,5691,906
        Spillville, IA4273551,6522,006
        Decorah, IA7,615155129283

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pulaski, TN7,6144493,0223,471
        Ojai, CA7,613539521,004
        Homeland, CA7,6136503,0483,698
        Forestbrook, SC7,6133411,6031,944
        Rhinelander, WI7,6171321,3311,463
        Decorah, IA7,615155129283
        Source: The Decorah, 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.