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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Norwalk, IA has a Safety Score of 98/100 — safer than 98% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #61 of 2,971 US cities and #1 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Norwalk, Iowa Safe?
Nestled in Polk County, Norwalk is a growing suburban community south of Des Moines. It's home to the annual Norwalk Music Fest, celebrating local talent. The population is predominantly white, with a median age in the mid-30s.
Norwalk has a safety score of 98/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Norwalk ranks #1 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #61 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 98th percentile for safety — safer than 98% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Norwalk are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Norwalk's total crime rate decreased by 37.9%, with violent crime rising 131.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Norwalk Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 17 | 109.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 4 | 25.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 13 | 83.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 28 | 179.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 0 | 0.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 28 | 179.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Norwalk vs Iowa Average
How does Norwalk's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Norwalk | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 109.1 | 350.8 | -68.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 179.6 | 2,046.4 | -91.2% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 288.7 | 2,397.2 | -88.0% |
Norwalk Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Norwalk, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15,588 | 288.7 | 109.1 | 179.6 |
| 2023 | 14,852 | 464.6 | 47.1 | 417.5 |
| 2022 | 14,299 | 265.8 | 56.0 | 209.8 |
| 2021 | 12,854 | 319.0 | 62.2 | 256.7 |
| 2020 | 12,313 | 373.6 | 48.7 | 324.9 |
| 2019 | 11,871 | 783.4 | 33.7 | 749.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwalk, Iowa safe?
Norwalk has a safety score of 98/100, meaning it has less crime than about 98% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Norwalk is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Norwalk, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Norwalk has a violent crime rate of 109.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 179.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Norwalk compare to the national average?
Norwalk's total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 15,588 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Norwalk?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Norwalk include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Norwalk safe to visit?
Like any city, Norwalk has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 98/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.