Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Spencer, IA has a Safety Score of 72/100 — safer than 72% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #820 of 2,971 US cities and #13 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Spencer, Iowa Safe?
Spencer, Iowa, a town of around 11,000 residents in Clay County, is known for its annual Clay County Fair, one of the largest in the nation. Situated along the Little Sioux River, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture and commerce in northwest Iowa.
Spencer has a safety score of 72/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Spencer ranks #13 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #820 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 72nd percentile for safety — safer than 72% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Spencer are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Spencer's total crime rate decreased by 16.3%, with violent crime declining 45.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Spencer Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 6 | 52.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 26.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 17.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 8.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 114 | 991.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 11 | 95.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 103 | 895.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Spencer vs Iowa Average
How does Spencer's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Spencer | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 52.2 | 350.8 | -85.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 991.2 | 2,046.4 | -51.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,043.4 | 2,397.2 | -56.5% |
Spencer Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Spencer, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11,501 | 1,043.4 | 52.2 | 991.2 |
| 2023 | 11,468 | 1,247.0 | 95.9 | 1,151.0 |
| 2022 | 11,440 | 1,127.6 | 122.4 | 1,005.2 |
| 2021 | 10,966 | 1,395.2 | 109.4 | 1,285.8 |
| 2020 | 10,922 | 2,380.5 | 183.1 | 2,197.4 |
| 2019 | 11,008 | 1,726.0 | 63.6 | 1,662.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spencer, Iowa safe?
Spencer has a safety score of 72/100, meaning it has less crime than about 72% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Spencer is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Spencer, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Spencer has a violent crime rate of 52.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 991.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Spencer compare to the national average?
Spencer's total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 11,501 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Spencer?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Spencer include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Spencer safe to visit?
Like any city, Spencer has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 72/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.