D+
1%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
13%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
3%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 peopleWashington/100k peopleIowa/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime166n/a (estimate)2,3031,6182,324
Murder0n/a0.01.76.3
Rape11n/a152.642.540.0
Robbery2n/a27.721.666.1
Assault17n/a235.8220.7268.2
Violent crime30n/a (estimate)416287370
Burglary29n/a402.3218.6269.8
Theft104n/a1,442.6965.41,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a41.6147.4282.7
Property crime136n/a (estimate)1,8871,3321,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Washington, IA

The Washington crime rates are 0.9% 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 30 violent crimes in Washington (416 per 100,000 people), which is 12.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 136 property crimes (1887 per 100,000 residents) which is 3.5% lower than average.

When evaluating the Washington crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Washington crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Washington has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 416 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.

During the most recently reported crime year, Washington 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.

The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Washington is very similar to the national average. Washington had a property crime rate of 1887, while the national average was 1954. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.

Is Washington a Safe Place to Live?

Is Washington 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, Washington has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 1%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.45 daily incidents, encompassing 0.08 violent crimes and 0.37 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Washington as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Washington Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Washington. 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 Washington has decreased by 22.4%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 6.3%, while property crime has decreased by 25.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Washington.

Potential Causes for Crime in Washington

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Washington crime rates. In Washington, the poverty rate stands at 13.9%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Washington, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.1%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

Washington has an average rental rate of $856 per month, compared to the national average of $949. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.

Washington crime map



The Washington crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Washington 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 Washington crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Washington 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.
New Real Estate Listings in Washington Area
Search Homes for Sale in Washington, IA

Compare Washington, IA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Washington crime rates are 1% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Washington are 13% higher than the national average
      • In Washington you have a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Washington is safer than 25% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Washington has decreased by 23%

      Washington, IA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Washington

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

        Daily Crime In Washington (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Washington, IA per 100,000 people. In Washington, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.42 times more than the Iowa average and 1.01 times less than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Washington is 1.45 times more than the Iowa average and 1.13 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Washington has a daily crime rate that is 1.42 times more than the Iowa average and 1.04 times less than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Washington (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Washington in comparison to other Iowa communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Washington safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Washington being safer than 24% of cities in Iowa and 25% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Iowa cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Washington. In conclusion, Washington ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Washington

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Washington is 1 in 241
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Washington is 1 in 54
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Washington is 1 in 44
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Washington, Iowa? If you reside in Washington, then there is a 1 in 241 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 54. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 44 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Washington.

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

        Determining whether Washington is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Washington violent crime rates have decreased by 6%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 25% year over year. Total crimes for Washington has decreased by 23% in the same time frame.

        Washington police department

        Item Washington Iowa National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)123,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.61.83.3
        There are a total of 12 Washington police officers. This results in 1.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 9.3% less than the Iowa average and 49.7% 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
        Lone Tree, IA1,390100466566
        Riverside, IA1,021103482585
        Kalona, IA2,528109509619
        Wellman, IA1,428112522634
        Wayland, IA1,149123572695
        Winfield, IA1,035130607737
        Pleasant Plain, IA1013401,5821,922
        Washington, IA7,3184161,8872,303

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Northridge, OH7,3182461,4941,741
        Mexia, TX7,3193351,8792,214
        Mills River, NC7,3192481,2651,513
        Barberton, WA7,3172602,3212,581
        Winooski, VT7,3205443,9674,510
        Washington, IA7,3184161,8872,303
        Source: The Washington, 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.