Burlington, IA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington, IA Crime

What is Burlington's overall crime grade?

Burlington, Iowa earns an overall crime grade of B, which places it in a relatively favorable position compared to many U.S. cities of similar size. A B grade reflects a city that experiences crime but manages it at a level that does not significantly undermine community quality of life. For a city of roughly 24,858 residents, this grade suggests that while property crimes and occasional violent incidents do occur, Burlington's policing efforts and community programs help keep overall crime rates from escalating to more alarming levels. Residents in well-established neighborhoods tend to feel this B-grade reality in their day-to-day experience.

How does Burlington's poverty rate affect its crime levels?

Burlington's poverty rate of 19.1% is a meaningful factor in understanding local crime patterns. Research consistently links economic hardship to elevated rates of property crime in particular. With a median household income of $46,707 and a median home value of just $92,871, Burlington's economic profile reflects a working-class city where financial stress can contribute to opportunistic crimes like theft and burglary. The city's unemployment rate of 5.2% adds another layer of economic pressure. That said, Burlington's B overall crime grade shows that these economic challenges have not translated into runaway crime — community investment and local policing appear to be offsetting factors.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Burlington?

While Burlington's overall crime grade is a B, safety varies by neighborhood. Areas near Crapo Park and the western residential corridors toward West Burlington are generally regarded as among the more stable and lower-incident parts of the city. These neighborhoods tend to benefit from higher rates of homeownership, active civic involvement, and proximity to parks and schools. By contrast, certain blocks in the older downtown core and near high-density rental corridors — where median rent averages $826 per month — can see higher concentrations of property crime and disturbance calls. Checking the Burlington crime map regularly lets you compare incident density across these distinct zones.

What types of crime are most common in Burlington?

Consistent with Burlington's B crime grade and its socioeconomic profile — including a 19.1% poverty rate and median household income of $46,707 — property crimes such as theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins represent the most frequently reported offense categories in the city. Violent incidents, including assaults, occur at lower rates but are not absent, particularly in higher-density areas of the city. Substance-related offenses also appear in incident reports and can serve as a driver of both property and violent crime in localized pockets. The city's relatively low population density of 665 people per square mile means crime tends to cluster in specific corridors rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods.

Is Burlington, Iowa a good place to live given its crime statistics?

Burlington's B overall crime grade makes it a reasonable choice for individuals and families weighing safety alongside affordability. With a median home value of $92,871 and median rent of $826 per month, Burlington offers some of the most accessible housing costs in the Midwest — a significant draw for buyers and renters on modest budgets. The trade-off is a poverty rate of 19.1% and an unemployment rate of 5.2%, both of which exert upward pressure on property crime. Still, a B grade means Burlington outperforms a substantial share of comparable cities. Families who stay engaged with neighborhood watch programs, use the Burlington crime map to monitor trends, and take standard home security precautions will find that day-to-day life in Burlington — particularly in areas like West Burlington and the Crapo Park corridor — can be comfortable and community-oriented.

How does Burlington's crime rate compare to other Iowa cities?

Burlington's B crime grade positions it competitively within Iowa's small-city landscape. While larger Iowa cities like Davenport and Waterloo contend with higher violent crime concentrations, Burlington's more modest population of 24,858 and its lower density of 665 residents per square mile help limit the scale of crime activity. The city's economic indicators — particularly its 19.1% poverty rate — are on the higher end for Iowa, which means Burlington faces more economic-driven crime pressure than wealthier Iowa communities. Nevertheless, the B grade reflects a city that is managing those pressures with meaningful effectiveness. Comparing Burlington's crime map data year over year is the best way to track whether the city is improving, holding steady, or facing new challenges heading into 2026.