Mason City, IA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

C-

28%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

21%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

37%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

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.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Mason City_{/100k people}	Iowa_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	802	n/a (estimate)	2,967	1,618	2,324
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	1.7	6.3
Rape	14	n/a	51.8	42.5	40.0
Robbery	11	n/a	40.7	21.6	66.1
Assault	54	n/a	199.8	220.7	268.2
Violent crime	79	n/a (estimate)	292	287	370
Burglary	122	n/a	451.3	218.6	269.8
Theft	547	n/a	2,023.5	965.4	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	54	n/a	199.8	147.4	282.7
Property crime	723	n/a (estimate)	2,675	1,332	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Mason City, IA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Mason City crime rate is 27.7% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Mason City, there were 79 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 292 per 100,000 individuals, 21% lower than the national average. Additionally, Mason City recorded 723 property crimes, amounting to 2675 per 100,000 residents, 36.9% higher than the U.S. average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Mason 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Mason City?

AreaVibes surveyed 54 local residents in Mason City to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 37% of people answered that there was very little crime in Mason City and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 63% 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.

Is Mason City a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Mason City, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Mason City presents a total crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Mason City experiences an average of 2.2 daily crimes, comprising 0.22 violent incidents and 1.98 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 Mason City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Mason City. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Mason City has decreased by 6.7%. Violent crimes have decreased by 26.9%, while property crimes have decreased by 3.9%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Mason City

Mason City has a poverty rate that stands at 10.8, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Mason City crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Mason City stands at $112,500, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Mason City, the average monthly rent stands at $733, while the national average is $949 per month.

Mason City crime map

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

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Crime Quick Facts

Mason City crime rates are 28% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Mason City are 21% lower than the national average
In Mason City you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Mason City is safer than 29% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Mason City has decreased by 8%

Mason City, IA Crime Quiz

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

The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Mason City, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Mason City are 1.83 times more than the Iowa average and 1.28 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Mason City are 1.02 times more than than Iowa and 1.27 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Mason City are 2.01 times more than than Iowa and 1.37 times more than the national average.

How Safe is Mason City (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in Mason City in comparison to other Iowa communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Mason City safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Mason City being safer than 27% of cities in Iowa and 29% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Iowa cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Mason City. In conclusion, Mason City ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Mason City

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Mason City is 1 in 343

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Mason City is 1 in 38

The chance of being a victim of crime in Mason City is 1 in 34

How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Mason City, Iowa you have a 1 in 343 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 38 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Mason City.

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

An analysis of year to year crime rates in Mason City, Iowa (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Mason City has decreased by 28%, the amount of property crime in Mason City has decreased by 6%, and the total amount of crime in Mason City has decreased by 8% year over year.

Mason City police department

Item	Mason City	Iowa	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	50	3,827	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	1.8	1.8	3.3

There are a total of 50 Mason City police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 1.1% less than the Iowa average and 45.2% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Iowa

State	Total offenders	Iowa_/100K	National_/100K
Iowa	6,040	205	266

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}
Rockwell, IA	871	115	534	649
Nora Springs, IA	1,648	121	565	687
Manly, IA	1,480	134	622	755
Ventura, IA	761	173	806	979
Rock Falls, IA	161	321	1,497	1,818
Plymouth, IA	466	339	1,580	1,920
Hanlontown, IA	191	345	1,605	1,949
Mason City, IA	27,064	292	2,675	2,967

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Wheeling, WV	27,046	1,231	2,412	3,643
Wakefield, MA	27,041	150	440	591
Allen Park, MI	27,089	261	1,580	1,841
Magna, UT	27,029	336	2,634	2,970
Norco, CA	27,021	202	2,793	2,996
Mason City, IA	27,064	292	2,675	2,967

Source: The Mason City, 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.