Is Cedar Rapids or Norwalk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norwalk is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 98/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 289 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 90% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwalk has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 8.7x 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
Norwalk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Norwalk, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Norwalk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 288.7 | +2,662.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 109.1 | +153.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 25.7 | -14.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 0.0 | +30.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 83.4 | +136.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 179.6 | +2,509.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 0.0 | +274.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 179.6 | +2,023.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 0.0 | +212.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Norwalk safer?
Norwalk is safer with a total crime rate of 289 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Norwalk has 109.1. Norwalk 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 Norwalk, IA
Nestled in Polk County, Norwalk is a growing suburban community south of Des Moines. It's home to the annual Norwalk Music Fest, celebrating local talent. The population is predominantly white, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 15,588, Norwalk has a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents.