Is Cedar Rapids or Fort Dodge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cedar Rapids is safer than Fort Dodge (Safety Score 20/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100,000 versus 4,257 for Fort Dodge — 31% lower. Cedar Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cedar Rapids has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Fort Dodge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 4,256.8 | -1,305.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 1,061.1 | -798.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 4.1 | -3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 151.0 | -139.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 53.1 | -22.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 853.0 | -633.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 3,195.7 | -506.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 416.3 | -142.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 2,465.1 | -262.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 314.3 | -102.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Fort Dodge safer?
Cedar Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100K vs 4,257 for Fort Dodge — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Fort Dodge has 1,061.1. Cedar Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Cedar Rapids, IA
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a city bisected by the Cedar River, boasts a vibrant Czech Village reflecting its immigrant history. It is the second-largest city in Iowa, with a population approaching 140,000. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 135,363, Cedar Rapids has a total crime rate of 2,951.3 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.