Violent
Property
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Fort Dodge, IA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 24,502
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Fort Dodge, Iowa Safe?
Fort Dodge has a safety score of 22/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Fort Dodge ranks #38 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #2763 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 7th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 93% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Fort Dodge is rape, at 151.0 per 100K — 3.5x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Fort Dodge's total crime rate increased by 5.9%, with violent crime rising 55.1%.
Fort Dodge Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 260 | 1,061.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 4.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 37 | 151.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 13 | 53.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 209 | 853.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 783 | 3,195.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 102 | 416.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 604 | 2,465.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 77 | 314.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Fort Dodge vs Iowa Average
How does Fort Dodge's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,061.1 | 350.8 | +202.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,195.7 | 2,046.4 | +56.2% |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 2.5 | +62.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,256.8 | 2,397.2 | +77.6% |
Fort Dodge Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Fort Dodge, Iowa.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24,502 | 4,256.8 | 1,061.1 | 3,195.7 |
| 2023 | 24,557 | 4,019.2 | 684.1 | 3,335.1 |
| 2022 | 25,097 | 3,530.3 | 518.0 | 3,012.3 |
| 2021 | 23,788 | 3,005.7 | 496.1 | 2,509.7 |
| 2020 | 23,755 | 4,239.1 | 757.7 | 3,481.4 |
| 2019 | 23,973 | 3,441.4 | 421.3 | 3,020.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Dodge, Iowa safe?
Fort Dodge has a safety score of 22/100. With a total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Fort Dodge is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Fort Dodge has a violent crime rate of 1,061.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,195.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Fort Dodge compare to the national average?
Fort Dodge's total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 24,502.
What types of crime are most common in Fort Dodge?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Fort Dodge include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Fort Dodge safe to visit?
Like any city, Fort Dodge has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 22/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.