C+
7%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
20%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
5%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleStorm Lake/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime226n/a (estimate)1,9661,5402,119
Murder0n/a0.02.15.0
Rape4n/a34.835.237.5
Robbery4n/a34.818.760.6
Assault25n/a217.5187.2256.1
Violent crime33n/a (estimate)287243359
Burglary32n/a278.4199.1229.2
Theft151n/a1,313.7962.61,272.1
Vehicle theft10n/a87.0135.1258.8
Property crime193n/a (estimate)1,6791,2971,760

Storm Lake crime map

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The Storm Lake crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Storm Lake 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Storm Lake, IA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Storm Lake crime rate is 7.2% lower 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 Storm Lake, there were 33 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 287 per 100,000 individuals, 20.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, Storm Lake recorded 193 property crimes, amounting to 1679 per 100,000 residents, 4.6% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the total crime rate in Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

During the most recently reported crime year, Storm Lake experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Storm Lake maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Storm Lake, 1679 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Storm Lake?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Storm Lake. Based on the results of the surveys (8 responses), 25% of people felt that there was very little crime in Storm Lake and felt safe walking alone at night. While 75% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Storm Lake a Safe Place to Live?

Is Storm Lake 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, Storm Lake has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 7%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.62 daily incidents, encompassing 0.09 violent crimes and 0.53 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Storm Lake as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Storm Lake Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Storm Lake. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Storm Lake has increased by 32.2%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 13.8%, while property crime has increased by 35.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Storm Lake.

Potential Causes for Crime in Storm Lake

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Storm Lake crime rate. The poverty level in Storm Lake is 12.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In Storm Lake, the current unemployment rate stands at 6%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Storm Lake crime rates.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Storm Lake crime rates. Storm Lake registers a population density of 2066.7 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Compare Storm Lake, IA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Storm Lake crime rates are 7% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Storm Lake are 20% lower than the national average
      • In Storm Lake you have a 1 in 51 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Storm Lake is safer than 32% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Storm Lake has increased by 3%

      Storm Lake, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Storm Lake

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Storm Lake?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Storm Lake?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Storm Lake poll results

        Daily Crime In Storm Lake (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Storm Lake, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Storm Lake are 1.28 times more than the Iowa average and 1.08 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Storm Lake are 1.18 times more than than Iowa and 1.25 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Storm Lake are 1.29 times more than than Iowa and 1.05 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Storm Lake (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Iowa and all other cities across the US, is Storm Lake safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Storm Lake is safer than 18% of other cities in the state of Iowa. In addition, Storm Lake is safer than 32% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Iowa and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Storm Lake. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Storm Lake is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Storm Lake

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 349
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 60
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Storm Lake is 1 in 51
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Storm Lake? In Storm Lake, IA you have a 1 in 349 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 60 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 51 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Storm Lake.

        Year Over Year Crime In Storm Lake (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake has decreased by 4%, while the property crime rate in Storm Lake has increased by 5% year over year. The number of total crimes in Storm Lake has increased by 3% year over year.

        Storm Lake police department

        Item Storm Lake Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)233,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.11.83.3
        There are a total of 23 Storm Lake police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 19.1% greater than the Iowa average and 34% 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
        Alta, IA2,04698524623
        Aurelia, IA9282411,2881,529
        Lakeside, IA1,0162571,3711,628
        Albert City, IA6052961,5771,873
        Newell, IA8712961,5821,878
        Marathon, IA1873001,6011,901
        Early, IA7723051,6291,935
        Storm Lake, IA10,8982871,6791,966

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Corning, NY10,9001602,3822,542
        Lake Barcroft, VA10,89183598681
        Alpine, UT10,90588537624
        Blackhawk, CA10,905185792977
        West Vero Corridor, FL10,9082811,4951,776
        Storm Lake, IA10,8982871,6791,966
        Source: The Storm Lake, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.