C+
52%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
7%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
63%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleOelwein/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime65n/a (estimate)1,1231,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape0n/a0.042.540.0
Robbery0n/a0.021.666.1
Assault23n/a397.4220.7268.2
Violent crime23n/a (estimate)397287370
Burglary8n/a138.2218.6269.8
Theft31n/a535.6965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a51.8147.4282.7
Property crime42n/a (estimate)7261,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Oelwein, IA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Oelwein is 51.7% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 23 violent crimes reported in Oelwein, equivalent to 397 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 7.5%. Additionally, Oelwein recorded 42 property crimes, amounting to 726 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 62.9%.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Oelwein has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 397 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

In the most recently reported crime year, Oelwein registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Oelwein?

What do the local residents think about crime in Oelwein? Well, based on a recent survey of 5 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 40% of Oelwein residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 60% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Oelwein a Safe Place to Live?

Is Oelwein 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, Oelwein has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 52%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.18 daily incidents, encompassing 0.06 violent crimes and 0.12 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Oelwein as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Oelwein Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Oelwein has decreased by 26.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Oelwein 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 increased by 35.3%, while property crime has decreased by 40.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Oelwein.

Potential Causes for Crime in Oelwein

Oelwein has a poverty rate that stands at 15, 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 Oelwein 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.

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 Oelwein, the cost of living is 24.93% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Oelwein is $87,800, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Oelwein crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Oelwein crime rates are 52% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Oelwein are 7% higher than the national average
      • In Oelwein you have a 1 in 90 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Oelwein is safer than 38% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Oelwein has decreased by 27%

      Oelwein, IA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Oelwein (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Oelwein, per 100,000 residents. In Oelwein, the total number of daily crimes is 1.44 times less than the Iowa average and 2.07 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Oelwein are 1.39 times more than the Iowa average and 1.07 times more than the national average. For property crime, Oelwein has a daily crime rate that is 1.83 times less than the Iowa average and 2.69 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Oelwein (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Oelwein to every other city in Iowa, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Oelwein safe? The gauges above illustrate that Oelwein is safer than 47% of every city located within Iowa along with 38% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Iowa and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Oelwein, IA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Oelwein

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Oelwein is 1 in 252
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Oelwein is 1 in 138
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Oelwein is 1 in 90
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Oelwein? If you reside in Oelwein, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 252. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 138 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Oelwein, is 1 in 90.

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

        A good indicator of whether Oelwein is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Oelwein has increased by 34%, while the property crime rate in Oelwein has decreased by 41% year over year. The number of total crimes in Oelwein has decreased by 27% year over year.

        Oelwein police department

        Item Oelwein Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)153,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.31.83.3
        There are a total of 15 Oelwein police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 28.7% greater than the Iowa average and 28.7% 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
        Fairbank, IA1,406100466566
        Jesup, IA2,725100466567
        Fayette, IA1,141126585711
        Sumner, IA2,224133621755
        Independence, IA6,0851441,1391,283
        Dunkerton, IA9832961,3771,673
        Winthrop, IA1,0253521,6381,990
        Oelwein, IA5,8963977261,123

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Sweetwater, TN5,8945202,2852,805
        Ramblewood, NJ5,8991691,1801,349
        McKees Rocks, PA5,8923441,8212,165
        Littlefield, TX5,9001551,4961,651
        Wesley Hills, NY5,891140560700
        Oelwein, IA5,8963977261,123
        Source: The Oelwein, 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.