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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Storm Lake, IA has a Safety Score of 42/100 — higher crime than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,966.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,727 of 2,957 US cities and #23 of 38 in Iowa.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Storm Lake, IA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Storm Lake, Iowa Safe?
Storm Lake, Iowa, named for a severe storm in the 1850s, is a lakeside community in Buena Vista County. Its population is notably diverse, with a significant immigrant presence, particularly from Southeast Asia and Latin America, contributing to its vibrant culture and economy.
Storm Lake has a safety score of 42/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,966.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Storm Lake ranks #23 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #1727 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 42nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 58% of US cities.
Year over year, Storm Lake's total crime rate increased by 3.1%, with violent crime declining 4.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Storm Lake Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 33 | 287.1 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 4 | 34.8 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 4 | 34.8 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 25 | 217.5 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 193 | 1,679.1 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 32 | 278.4 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 151 | 1,313.7 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 87.0 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Storm Lake vs Iowa Average
How does Storm Lake's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Storm Lake | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.1 | 350.8 | -18.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,679.1 | 2,046.4 | -17.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,966.2 | 2,397.2 | -18.0% |
Storm Lake Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Storm Lake, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11,494 | 1,966.2 | 287.1 | 1,679.1 |
| 2023 | 11,331 | 1,906.3 | 300.1 | 1,606.2 |
| 2022 | 11,274 | 1,711.9 | 363.7 | 1,348.2 |
| 2021 | 10,414 | 1,661.2 | 288.1 | 1,373.2 |
| 2020 | 10,282 | 1,935.4 | 398.8 | 1,536.7 |
| 2019 | 10,430 | 2,013.4 | 393.1 | 1,620.3 |
Storm Lake Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Storm Lake and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Iowa crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Storm Lake, Iowa safe?
Storm Lake has a safety score of 42/100, meaning it has less crime than about 42% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,966.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Storm Lake is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Storm Lake, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Storm Lake has a violent crime rate of 287.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,679.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Storm Lake compare to the national average?
Storm Lake's total crime rate of 1,966.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 11,494 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Storm Lake?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Storm Lake are larceny-theft (151 reported incidents) and burglary (32 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 5.8x in the city.
Is Storm Lake safe to visit?
Like any city, Storm Lake has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 42/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.