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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Johnston, IA has a Safety Score of 81/100 — safer than 81% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #580 of 2,971 US cities and #7 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Johnston, Iowa Safe?
Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a major agricultural research company. Situated in Polk County, it boasts a growing population with a median age of around 38.
Johnston has a safety score of 81/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Johnston ranks #7 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #580 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 81st percentile for safety — safer than 81% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Johnston are below the national average, with robbery particularly low at 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Johnston's total crime rate increased by 2.3%, with violent crime declining 27.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Johnston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 19 | 76.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 4.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 12.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 8.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 13 | 52.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 186 | 749.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 19 | 76.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 131 | 527.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 36 | 145.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Johnston vs Iowa Average
How does Johnston's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Johnston | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 76.6 | 350.8 | -78.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 749.4 | 2,046.4 | -63.4% |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 2.5 | +60.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 826.0 | 2,397.2 | -65.5% |
Johnston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Johnston, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24,819 | 826.0 | 76.6 | 749.4 |
| 2023 | 24,532 | 807.1 | 106.0 | 701.1 |
| 2022 | 24,295 | 728.5 | 74.1 | 654.5 |
| 2021 | 23,759 | 993.3 | 155.7 | 837.6 |
| 2020 | 23,252 | 1,079.5 | 77.4 | 1,002.1 |
| 2019 | 22,708 | 1,325.5 | 127.7 | 1,197.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnston, Iowa safe?
Johnston has a safety score of 81/100, meaning it has less crime than about 81% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Johnston is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Johnston, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Johnston has a violent crime rate of 76.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 749.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Johnston compare to the national average?
Johnston's total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 24,819 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Johnston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Johnston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Johnston safe to visit?
Like any city, Johnston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 81/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.