Is Council Bluffs or Evanston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Council Bluffs is safer than Evanston (Safety Score 21/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 2,884 for Evanston — 0% lower. Council Bluffs has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Evanston has a 100% lower rate.
Council Bluffs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Evanston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA
Evanston, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Council Bluffs | Evanston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 2,883.6 | -10.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 141.6 | +279.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 0.0 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 72.3 | 31.0 | +41.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.7 | 55.3 | +15.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.6 | 55.3 | +219.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 2,742.1 | -289.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 486.6 | 451.6 | +35.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,634.8 | 2,054.5 | -419.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 330.8 | 235.9 | +94.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs or Evanston safer?
Council Bluffs is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 2,884 for Evanston — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100K while Evanston has 141.6. Evanston has lower violent crime.
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, was a pivotal starting point for the Mormon Trail. This city of over 62,000 residents in Pottawattamie County has a rich railway history. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 62,269, Council Bluffs has a total crime rate of 2,873.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Evanston, IL
Evanston, a Chicago suburb on Lake Michigan, is home to Northwestern University, a prestigious private institution. Its diverse population reflects a mix of students, families, and long-time residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 74,178, Evanston has a total crime rate of 2,883.6 per 100,000 residents.