| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Red Oak/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 66 | n/a (estimate) | 1,218 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 18.5 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 18.5 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 13 | n/a | 240.0 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 15 | n/a (estimate) | 277 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 14 | n/a | 258.4 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 33 | n/a | 609.2 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 4 | n/a | 73.8 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 51 | n/a (estimate) | 941 | 1,297 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Red Oak is 42.5% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Red Oak, there were 15 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 277 per 100,000 individuals, 22.9% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 51 property crimes, amounting to 941 per 100,000 residents, 46.5% lower than the U.S. average.
Red Oak showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
Is Red Oak 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, Red Oak has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 43%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.18 daily incidents, encompassing 0.04 violent crimes and 0.14 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Red Oak as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Red Oak has decreased by 24.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Red Oak 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 didn't change by 0%, while property crime has decreased by 29.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Red Oak.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Red Oak crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Red Oak has an unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Red Oak has a population density of 1397 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Red Oak crime rates.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Red Oak, 81.5% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
| Item | Red Oak | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 14 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.5 | 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 |
| Villisca, IA | 1,207 | 110 | 588 | 698 |
| Macedonia, IA | 220 | 256 | 1,367 | 1,624 |
| Essex, IA | 791 | 295 | 1,572 | 1,866 |
| Stanton, IA | 645 | 295 | 1,576 | 1,871 |
| Emerson, IA | 475 | 297 | 1,586 | 1,883 |
| Henderson, IA | 218 | 333 | 1,779 | 2,112 |
| Elliott, IA | 557 | 336 | 1,796 | 2,132 |
| Red Oak, IA | 5,512 | 277 | 941 | 1,218 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Pennside, PA | 5,512 | 199 | 1,162 | 1,361 |
| Big Bear Lake, CA | 5,513 | 387 | 1,655 | 2,043 |
| Glenwood, IA | 5,514 | 57 | 671 | 728 |
| Carlisle, OH | 5,515 | 225 | 1,187 | 1,412 |
| Englewood Cliffs, NJ | 5,517 | 55 | 1,509 | 1,564 |
| Red Oak, IA | 5,512 | 277 | 941 | 1,218 |
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