Violent
Property
Total
Waterloo, IA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 66,385
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waterloo, Iowa Safe?
Waterloo has a safety score of 46/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,920.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waterloo ranks #31 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #2359 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 21st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 79% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Waterloo is burglary, at 586.0 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Waterloo's total crime rate increased by 9.6%, with violent crime declining 17.3%.
Waterloo Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 316 | 476.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 26 | 39.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 23 | 34.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 264 | 397.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,623 | 2,444.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 389 | 586.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,101 | 1,658.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 133 | 200.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waterloo vs Iowa Average
How does Waterloo's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 476.0 | 350.8 | +35.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,444.8 | 2,046.4 | +19.5% |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 2.5 | +80.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,920.8 | 2,397.2 | +21.8% |
Waterloo Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waterloo, Iowa.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 66,385 | 2,920.8 | 476.0 | 2,444.8 |
| 2023 | 66,211 | 2,665.7 | 575.4 | 2,090.3 |
| 2022 | 66,504 | 3,081.0 | 575.9 | 2,505.1 |
| 2021 | 67,174 | 3,161.9 | 538.9 | 2,623.0 |
| 2020 | 67,200 | 3,269.4 | 636.9 | 2,632.4 |
| 2019 | 67,723 | 2,935.5 | 451.8 | 2,483.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterloo, Iowa safe?
Waterloo has a safety score of 46/100. With a total crime rate of 2,920.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waterloo is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Waterloo, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waterloo has a violent crime rate of 476.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,444.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waterloo compare to the national average?
Waterloo's total crime rate of 2,920.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 66,385.
What types of crime are most common in Waterloo?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waterloo include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waterloo safe to visit?
Like any city, Waterloo has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 46/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.