Is Cedar Rapids or Spencer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spencer is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 72/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 1,043 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 65% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spencer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 11.8x 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
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Spencer, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Spencer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 1,043.4 | +1,907.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 52.2 | +210.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 26.1 | -15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 17.4 | +12.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 8.7 | +210.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 991.2 | +1,697.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 95.6 | +178.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 895.6 | +1,307.4 |
| 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 Spencer safer?
Spencer is safer with a total crime rate of 1,043 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Spencer has 52.2. Spencer 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 Spencer, IA
Spencer, Iowa, a town of around 11,000 residents in Clay County, is known for its annual Clay County Fair, one of the largest in the nation. Situated along the Little Sioux River, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture and commerce in northwest Iowa. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 11,501, Spencer has a total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 residents.