Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Indianola, IA has a Safety Score of 48/100 — higher crime than 52% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,744.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,545 of 2,971 US cities and #19 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Indianola, Iowa Safe?
Indianola, Iowa, known for the National Balloon Classic, is a small city south of Des Moines. Its population of around 16,000 residents reflects a predominantly white demographic within Warren County.
Indianola has a safety score of 48/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,744.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Indianola ranks #19 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #1545 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 48th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 52% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Indianola is rape, at 62.1 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Indianola's total crime rate decreased by 14.5%, with violent crime rising 13.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Indianola Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 44 | 273.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 10 | 62.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 34 | 211.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 237 | 1,471.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 34 | 211.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 190 | 1,179.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 13 | 80.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Indianola vs Iowa Average
How does Indianola's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Indianola | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 273.2 | 350.8 | -22.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,471.7 | 2,046.4 | -28.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,744.9 | 2,397.2 | -27.2% |
Indianola Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Indianola, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,104 | 1,744.9 | 273.2 | 1,471.7 |
| 2023 | 16,175 | 2,040.2 | 241.1 | 1,799.1 |
| 2022 | 15,817 | 2,004.2 | 278.2 | 1,726.0 |
| 2021 | 16,203 | 2,209.5 | 487.6 | 1,721.9 |
| 2020 | 16,154 | 2,296.6 | 563.3 | 1,733.3 |
| 2019 | 16,235 | 2,654.8 | 708.4 | 1,946.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianola, Iowa safe?
Indianola has a safety score of 48/100, meaning it has less crime than about 48% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,744.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Indianola is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Indianola, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Indianola has a violent crime rate of 273.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,471.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Indianola compare to the national average?
Indianola's total crime rate of 1,744.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 16,104 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Indianola?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Indianola include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Indianola safe to visit?
Like any city, Indianola has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 48/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.