| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Urbandale/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 341 | n/a (estimate) | 724 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 10.6 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 2.1 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 36 | n/a | 76.4 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 42 | n/a (estimate) | 89 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 39 | n/a | 82.8 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 194 | n/a | 411.7 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 66 | n/a | 140.1 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 299 | n/a (estimate) | 635 | 1,297 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Urbandale is 65.9% 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 Urbandale, there were 42 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 89 per 100,000 individuals, 75.2% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 299 property crimes, amounting to 635 per 100,000 residents, 64% lower than the U.S. average.
Urbandale has a crime rate of 724, which is considerably less than the national average of 2119. This results in Urbandale 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.
Urbandale has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 89 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Urbandale ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.
In the most recently reported crime year, Urbandale 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.
Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Urbandale has a property crime rate of 635 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1760. This is a good indicator that Urbandale is a safe place to live.
AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Urbandale to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 75% of people answered that there was very little crime in Urbandale and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 25% 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.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Urbandale a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Urbandale crime rate is 66% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.93 crimes per day - 0.12 violent crimes and 0.82 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Urbandale has decreased by 25.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Urbandale 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 decreased by 19.2%, while property crime has decreased by 26.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Urbandale.
Urbandale has a population density of 2002.4 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 Urbandale crime rates.
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 Urbandale, the cost of living is 1.19% higher 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 Urbandale is $438,232, compared to a national average of $326,622.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Urbandale | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 52 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.3 | 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 |
| Granger, IA | 1,931 | 34 | 182 | 216 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11,804 | 109 | 180 | 289 |
| Polk City, IA | 4,940 | 31 | 290 | 320 |
| Saylorville, IA | 2,841 | 64 | 340 | 403 |
| Dallas Center, IA | 1,744 | 66 | 352 | 418 |
| Cumming, IA | 550 | 98 | 524 | 622 |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 89 | 635 | 724 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Riverton, UT | 44,974 | 72 | 897 | 968 |
| El Centro, CA | 45,037 | 328 | 1,268 | 1,596 |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 44,960 | 218 | 1,664 | 1,881 |
| Altamonte Springs, FL | 45,050 | 340 | 2,311 | 2,651 |
| Cutler Bay, FL | 45,068 | 148 | 1,363 | 1,511 |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 89 | 635 | 724 |
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