Is Ottumwa or Urbana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottumwa is safer than Urbana (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100,000 versus 3,036 for Urbana — 1% lower. Ottumwa has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbana has a 67% lower rate.
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Urbana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottumwa, IA
Urbana, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottumwa | Urbana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,013.7 | 3,036.3 | -22.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.1 | 544.5 | -147.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 2.6 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 83.4 | 55.0 | +28.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 81.1 | -53.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 277.9 | 405.7 | -127.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,616.6 | 2,491.9 | +124.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 428.8 | 486.9 | -58.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,945.6 | 1,740.7 | +204.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 242.2 | 264.4 | -22.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottumwa or Urbana safer?
Ottumwa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100K vs 3,036 for Urbana — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottumwa has a violent crime rate of 397.1 per 100K while Urbana has 544.5. Ottumwa has lower violent crime.
About Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Urbana, IL
Urbana, Illinois, home to a significant portion of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a Midwestern city with a rich agricultural history. Located in east-central Illinois, it attracts a diverse student and research-oriented population. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 38,204, Urbana has a total crime rate of 3,036.3 per 100,000 residents.