Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Ames, IA has a Safety Score of 51/100 — safer than 51% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,454 of 2,971 US cities and #18 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Ames, Iowa Safe?
Ames, Iowa, home to Iowa State University, is a city in Story County. This community in central Iowa has a significant student population, contributing to its vibrant academic atmosphere.
Ames has a safety score of 51/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Ames ranks #18 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #1454 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 51st percentile for safety — safer than 51% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Ames is rape, at 70.3 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Ames's total crime rate increased by 6.4%, with violent crime declining 12.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Ames Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 97 | 148.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 46 | 70.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 7.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 46 | 70.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 985 | 1,505.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 113 | 172.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 814 | 1,244.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 58 | 88.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Ames vs Iowa Average
How does Ames's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Ames | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 148.3 | 350.8 | -57.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,505.5 | 2,046.4 | -26.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,653.8 | 2,397.2 | -31.0% |
Ames Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Ames, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 65,426 | 1,653.8 | 148.3 | 1,505.5 |
| 2023 | 67,186 | 1,553.9 | 169.7 | 1,384.2 |
| 2022 | 66,852 | 1,498.8 | 209.4 | 1,289.4 |
| 2021 | 67,886 | 1,536.4 | 197.4 | 1,339.0 |
| 2020 | 67,109 | 1,953.5 | 181.8 | 1,771.7 |
| 2019 | 68,237 | 1,913.9 | 197.8 | 1,716.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ames, Iowa safe?
Ames has a safety score of 51/100, meaning it has less crime than about 51% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Ames is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Ames, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Ames has a violent crime rate of 148.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,505.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Ames compare to the national average?
Ames's total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 65,426 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Ames?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Ames include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Ames safe to visit?
Like any city, Ames has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 51/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.