| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Dubuque/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,076 | n/a (estimate) | 1,836 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.7 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 47 | n/a | 80.2 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 14 | n/a | 23.9 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 173 | n/a | 295.1 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 235 | n/a (estimate) | 401 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 134 | n/a | 228.6 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 652 | n/a | 1,112.3 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 55 | n/a | 93.8 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 841 | n/a (estimate) | 1,435 | 1,297 | 1,760 |

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 Dubuque crime rate is lower than the national average by 13.4%. Specifically, there were 235 violent crimes in Dubuque, equivalent to 401 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 11.6%. Furthermore, Dubuque recorded 841 property crimes, amounting to 1435 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 18.5%.
Dubuque exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 401 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Dubuque as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Dubuque. Based on the results of the surveys (60 responses), 65% of people felt that there was very little crime in Dubuque and felt safe walking alone at night. While 35% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Dubuque, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Dubuque presents a total crime rate that is 13% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Dubuque experiences an average of 2.95 daily crimes, comprising 0.64 violent incidents and 2.3 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime rates in Dubuque has decreased by 25.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Dubuque 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 decreased by 6.8%, while property crime has decreased by 29%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Dubuque.
In Dubuque, 87.3% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
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 Dubuque, the cost of living is 8.68% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Dubuque, the average rental rates are $1,208 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

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| Item | Dubuque | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 109 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.9 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Iowa /100K | National /100K |
| Iowa | 6,040 | 205 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Asbury, IA | 6,064 | 100 | 100 | 199 |
| Epworth, IA | 1,843 | 72 | 382 | 454 |
| Cuba City, WI | 2,273 | 118 | 491 | 609 |
| Peosta, IA | 2,010 | 91 | 594 | 685 |
| East Dubuque, IL | 1,603 | 116 | 690 | 807 |
| Galena, IL | 3,259 | 128 | 761 | 889 |
| Sherrill, IA | 211 | 165 | 880 | 1,045 |
| Dubuque, IA | 59,811 | 401 | 1,435 | 1,836 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Margate, FL | 59,787 | 260 | 1,380 | 1,640 |
| White Plains, NY | 59,856 | 111 | 1,760 | 1,872 |
| Hendersonville, TN | 59,856 | 123 | 714 | 837 |
| Sarasota, FL | 59,705 | 549 | 1,616 | 2,165 |
| South Whittier, CA | 59,924 | 551 | 2,357 | 2,908 |
| Dubuque, IA | 59,811 | 401 | 1,435 | 1,836 |