Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 62,269
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Council Bluffs, Iowa Safe?
Council Bluffs has a safety score of 47/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,873.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Council Bluffs ranks #30 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #2333 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 22nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 78% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Council Bluffs is burglary, at 486.6 per 100K — 1.7x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Council Bluffs's total crime rate decreased by 18.3%, with violent crime declining 6.8%.
Council Bluffs Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 262 | 420.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 3.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 45 | 72.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 44 | 70.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 171 | 274.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,527 | 2,452.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 303 | 486.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,018 | 1,634.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 206 | 330.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Council Bluffs vs Iowa Average
How does Council Bluffs's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Council Bluffs | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 350.8 | +20.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 2,046.4 | +19.8% |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 2.5 | +27.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 2,397.2 | +19.9% |
Council Bluffs Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Council Bluffs, Iowa.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62,269 | 2,873.0 | 420.8 | 2,452.3 |
| 2023 | 62,214 | 3,516.9 | 451.7 | 3,065.2 |
| 2022 | 62,206 | 3,424.1 | 422.8 | 3,001.3 |
| 2021 | 62,202 | 3,779.6 | 360.1 | 3,419.5 |
| 2020 | 62,144 | 5,712.5 | 923.7 | 4,788.9 |
| 2019 | 62,427 | 6,635.0 | 789.7 | 5,845.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs, Iowa safe?
Council Bluffs has a safety score of 47/100. With a total crime rate of 2,873.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Council Bluffs is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Council Bluffs, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,452.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Council Bluffs compare to the national average?
Council Bluffs's total crime rate of 2,873.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 62,269.
What types of crime are most common in Council Bluffs?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Council Bluffs include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Council Bluffs safe to visit?
Like any city, Council Bluffs has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 47/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.