C-
13%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
12%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
18%
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 peopleDubuque/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,076n/a (estimate)1,8361,5402,119
Murder1n/a1.72.15.0
Rape47n/a80.235.237.5
Robbery14n/a23.918.760.6
Assault173n/a295.1187.2256.1
Violent crime235n/a (estimate)401243359
Burglary134n/a228.6199.1229.2
Theft652n/a1,112.3962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft55n/a93.8135.1258.8
Property crime841n/a (estimate)1,4351,2971,760

Dubuque crime map

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

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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Dubuque?

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.

Is Dubuque a Safe Place to Live?

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.

Has Crime in Dubuque Increased Since Last Year?

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.

Potential Causes for Crime 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.

Compare Dubuque, IA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Dubuque crime rates are 13% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Dubuque are 12% higher than the national average
      • In Dubuque you have a 1 in 55 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Dubuque is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Dubuque has decreased by 10%

      Dubuque, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Dubuque

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        Daily Crime In Dubuque (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Dubuque, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Dubuque are 1.19 times more than the Iowa average and 1.15 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Dubuque are 1.65 times more than than Iowa and 1.12 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Dubuque are 1.11 times more than than Iowa and 1.23 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Dubuque (higher is better)

        How safe is Dubuque, Iowa compared to other cities in Iowa and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Dubuque is safer than 13% of the cities in Iowa and 24% 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 Dubuque. Overall, Dubuque is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Dubuque

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Dubuque is 1 in 250
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Dubuque is 1 in 70
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Dubuque is 1 in 55
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Dubuque, Iowa you have a 1 in 250 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 70 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 55 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Dubuque.

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

        Determining whether Dubuque is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Dubuque violent crime rates have decreased by 6%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 12% year over year. Total crimes for Dubuque has decreased by 10% in the same time frame.

        Dubuque police department

        Item Dubuque Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1093,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.91.83.3
        There are a total of 109 Dubuque police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 3.5% greater than the Iowa average and 42.7% 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
        Asbury, IA6,064100100199
        Epworth, IA1,84372382454
        Cuba City, WI2,273118491609
        Peosta, IA2,01091594685
        East Dubuque, IL1,603116690807
        Galena, IL3,259128761889
        Sherrill, IA2111658801,045
        Dubuque, IA59,8114011,4351,836

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Margate, FL59,7872601,3801,640
        White Plains, NY59,8561111,7601,872
        Hendersonville, TN59,856123714837
        Sarasota, FL59,7055491,6162,165
        South Whittier, CA59,9245512,3572,908
        Dubuque, IA59,8114011,4351,836
        Source: The Dubuque, 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.