A+
77%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
83%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
76%
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 peopleLake City/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime8n/a (estimate)4841,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape1n/a60.535.237.5
Robbery0n/a0.018.760.6
Assault0n/a0.0187.2256.1
Violent crime1n/a (estimate)60243359
Burglary1n/a60.5199.1229.2
Theft6n/a362.8962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft0n/a0.0135.1258.8
Property crime7n/a (estimate)4231,2971,760

Lake City crime map

Get this widget

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

The Lake City crime rates are 77.2% 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 1 violent crimes in Lake City (60 per 100,000 people), which is 83.2% lower than the national average and there were a total of 7 property crimes (423 per 100,000 residents) which is 76% lower than average.

Lake City has a crime rate of 484, which is considerably less than the national average of 2119. This results in Lake City being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

Lake City shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 60 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Lake City an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Lake City reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

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, Lake City maintains a property crime rate of 423 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1760. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Lake City as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

The United States experiences some of the highest vehicle theft rates in the world, with about 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 people. In fact, only a small percentage (about 10%) of cities were lucky enough to report no stolen vehicles at all. Lake City was one of those cities, as it had no reported vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lake City?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Lake City residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 5 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 60% of Lake City residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 40% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Lake City a Safe Place to Live?

Is Lake City a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Lake City has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 77%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.02 daily incidents, encompassing 0 violent crimes and 0.02 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Lake City as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Lake City Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lake City. 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 Lake City has decreased by 66.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 87.5%, while property crime has decreased by 56.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lake City.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lake City

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Lake City currently has an unemployment rate of 0.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

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 Lake City, the cost of living is 16.29% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The median home price in Lake City is $153,155, 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 Lake City, IA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lake City crime rates are 77% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lake City are 83% lower than the national average
      • In Lake City you have a 1 in 207 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lake City is safer than 83% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lake City has decreased by 65%

      Lake City, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lake City

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

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

        How Safe is Lake City (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lake City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lake City is 1 in 1654
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lake City is 1 in 237
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lake City is 1 in 207

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

        Lake City police department

        Item Lake City Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a3,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a1.83.3

        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
        Sac City, IA1,929299149448
        Glidden, IA1,05495507602
        Twin Lakes, IA31898524622
        Rockwell City, IA2,242134715849
        Carroll, IA10,175409781,018
        Breda, IA4402011,0721,273
        Knierim, IA582561,3681,625
        Lake City, IA1,78860423484

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Wilder, ID1,788106339445
        Clarkesville, GA1,788109560669
        Richmond, ME1,78805656
        Blackwater, AZ1,7871988411,039
        Millwood, WA1,7871319921,123
        Lake City, IA1,78860423484
        Source: The Lake 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.