| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Norwalk/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 45 | n/a (estimate) | 289 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 25.7 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 13 | n/a | 83.4 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 17 | n/a (estimate) | 109 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 28 | n/a | 179.6 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 28 | n/a (estimate) | 180 | 1,297 | 1,760 |

The Norwalk crime rates are 86.4% 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 17 violent crimes in Norwalk (109 per 100,000 people), which is 69.6% lower than the national average and there were a total of 28 property crimes (180 per 100,000 residents) which is 89.8% lower than average.
Norwalk has a crime rate of 289, which is considerably less than the national average of 2119. This results in Norwalk 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.
Norwalk stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 109 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Norwalk secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.
In the latest reported crime year, Norwalk recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
In 1991, property crime rates in the United States soared to over 5,140 crimes per 100,000 people. In the years since, the U.S. property crime rate has continued to decline with the most recent year reporting only 1760 property crimes. In Norwalk, the property crime rate was even less than the national average with a rate of 180, cementing it as one of the safest places to live with regards to property crime.
The United States faces a global challenge with vehicle theft rates, averaging around 300 incidents per 100,000 individuals. Interestingly, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to not report any stolen vehicles. In the latest crime report, Norwalk was among these cities, with no reported vehicle thefts, reaffirming its commitment to safety and security.
Is Norwalk 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, Norwalk has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 86%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.12 daily incidents, encompassing 0.05 violent crimes and 0.08 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Norwalk as a potential place to call home.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Norwalk has increased by 136.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Norwalk, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 183.3%, while property crime has increased by 115.4%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Norwalk is a safe place to live.
Norwalk has a population density of 1056.3 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Norwalk crime rates.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Norwalk, 94% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In Norwalk, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.65 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Norwalk | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 15 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 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 |
| Van Meter, IA | 1,436 | 55 | 55 | 110 |
| Saylorville, IA | 2,841 | 64 | 340 | 403 |
| Dallas Center, IA | 1,744 | 66 | 352 | 418 |
| Cumming, IA | 550 | 98 | 524 | 622 |
| Carlisle, IA | 4,329 | 114 | 525 | 639 |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 89 | 635 | 724 |
| Grimes, IA | 14,059 | 118 | 630 | 748 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11,804 | 109 | 180 | 289 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Magnolia, AR | 11,803 | 789 | 2,254 | 3,042 |
| Peru, IN | 11,801 | 398 | 1,753 | 2,151 |
| Muscoy, CA | 11,809 | 663 | 2,836 | 3,500 |
| Cleveland, MS | 11,812 | 384 | 2,843 | 3,227 |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 11,816 | 336 | 2,022 | 2,358 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11,804 | 109 | 180 | 289 |