| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Marshalltown/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 571 | n/a (estimate) | 2,071 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 7.3 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 12 | n/a | 43.5 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 4 | n/a | 14.5 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 64 | n/a | 232.1 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 82 | n/a (estimate) | 297 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 83 | n/a | 301.0 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 377 | n/a | 1,367.1 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 29 | n/a | 105.2 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 489 | n/a (estimate) | 1,773 | 1,297 | 1,760 |
The Marshalltown crime rates are 2.3% 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 82 violent crimes in Marshalltown (297 per 100,000 people), which is 17.2% lower than the national average and there were a total of 489 property crimes (1773 per 100,000 residents) which is 0.8% higher than average.
When assessing the total crime rate in Marshalltown per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Marshalltown, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
Marshalltown maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Marshalltown, 1773 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.
AreaVibes surveyed 26 local residents in Marshalltown to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 50% of people answered that there was very little crime in Marshalltown and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 50% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown crime rate is 2% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.56 crimes per day - 0.22 violent crimes and 1.34 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Marshalltown. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Marshalltown has decreased by 3.7%. Violent crimes have decreased by 25.5%, while property crimes have decreased by 1.2%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Marshalltown, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Marshalltown, the cost of living is 14.14% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Marshalltown has a median home price of $170,660, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Marshalltown | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 56 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 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 |
| Conrad, IA | 1,259 | 85 | 452 | 536 |
| State Center, IA | 1,896 | 90 | 480 | 570 |
| Melbourne, IA | 764 | 231 | 1,233 | 1,464 |
| Le Grand, IA | 873 | 239 | 1,277 | 1,516 |
| Baxter, IA | 963 | 245 | 1,309 | 1,554 |
| Haverhill, IA | 175 | 256 | 1,365 | 1,621 |
| Montour, IA | 254 | 271 | 1,447 | 1,719 |
| Marshalltown, IA | 27,894 | 297 | 1,773 | 2,071 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Elmira, NY | 27,860 | 547 | 4,137 | 4,684 |
| Eureka, CA | 27,853 | 1,016 | 3,170 | 4,187 |
| Magna, UT | 27,938 | 256 | 1,567 | 1,823 |
| Ilchester, MD | 27,850 | 287 | 1,400 | 1,687 |
| Short Pump, VA | 27,939 | 94 | 678 | 772 |
| Marshalltown, IA | 27,894 | 297 | 1,773 | 2,071 |
Here are the best places to live in Iowa
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Iowa
See the best places to live in Marshalltown