Is Austin or Fort Dodge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Fort Dodge (Safety Score 11/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,257 for Fort Dodge — 13% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 40.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Fort Dodge, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Fort Dodge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,256.8 | -547.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,061.1 | -593.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.1 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 151.0 | -83.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 53.1 | +32.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 853.0 | -545.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,195.7 | +46.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 416.3 | +28.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,465.1 | -267.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 314.3 | +284.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Fort Dodge safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,257 for Fort Dodge — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Fort Dodge has 1,061.1. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Dodge, a city in Webster County, Iowa, sits on the Des Moines River. Historically a gypsum mining hub, it boasts a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 24,502, Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 residents.