Newton, IA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Newton, IA

Is Newton, IA safe?

Newton earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it among the safer small cities in Iowa. Data from the most recent 90-day period shows 671 total reported incidents across a population of roughly 15,160 residents — a relatively low volume for a city of this size. The vast majority of those incidents (57%) fall into the broad "other" administrative category, while theft accounts for 13% and assault for 7%. Truly serious violent events — shootings — represent just 1% of all incidents (6 cases in 90 days), and burglary is nearly nonexistent at less than 1% (1 reported case). By any measure, Newton is a safe place to live, work, and visit.

What is the crime rate in Newton, IA?

Over the last 90 days, Newton recorded 671 total incidents. Breaking that down by category: theft is the most tangible concern at 13% (87 incidents), followed by assault at 7% (50 incidents) and vandalism at 2% (12 incidents). Arrests — which reflect law enforcement activity rather than victimization — made up 20% of all logged events (131 incidents), suggesting active policing. Burglary was nearly absent with just 1 reported case (under 1%), and shootings totaled 6 incidents (1%) over the full 90-day window. Compared to Iowa's larger urban centers, Newton's per-capita incident rate is low, consistent with its A-grade safety rating.

What types of crime are most common in Newton?

Theft is the most prevalent traditional crime category, representing 13% of all recent incidents (87 cases in 90 days). Assault follows at 7% (50 cases), though many of these involve minor altercations rather than serious violence. Vandalism is a distant third at 2% (12 cases), with the most recent incident logged on March 10, 2026. Burglary is exceptionally rare — only 1 case was reported in the entire 90-day period. Shootings, while serious, occurred only 6 times (1%) and are not a defining feature of Newton's crime landscape. The dominant category — 57% of all incidents — is an administrative "other" classification covering miscellaneous calls and non-criminal matters, which underscores how low the rate of serious crime actually is.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Newton?

Newton's overall A crime grade reflects a city where safety is distributed broadly rather than concentrated in just one pocket. Neighborhoods near Maytag Park and the areas surrounding the Newton Community School District are frequently cited by residents as family-friendly and low-incident zones. The Westwood area on the city's west side also tends to see fewer reported incidents. With burglary at just 1 reported case city-wide in 90 days and vandalism at only 12 cases total, even the more active parts of Newton compare favorably to comparable Iowa communities. Using the interactive crime map above, you can filter by incident type — such as theft or assault — and zoom into specific blocks to see exactly where activity has been logged.

Is Newton, IA a good place to live?

The data makes a compelling case. Newton's A crime grade is backed by a 90-day incident profile where burglary is nearly zero, shootings total just 6 events, and theft — the most common real concern — accounts for only 13% of all reports. On the economic side, the median household income is $48,417, median home value is $122,177, and median rent sits at just $747/month — making Newton one of Iowa's more affordable cities. The unemployment rate of 4.2% is near the national average, and while the poverty rate of 14% warrants attention, it has not translated into elevated violent crime. For families, retirees, or anyone seeking a safe and affordable small city, Newton's combination of low crime and accessible cost of living is difficult to beat.

How does Newton's crime compare to other Iowa cities?

Newton's A overall crime grade places it in the top tier of Iowa municipalities for safety. With only 1 burglary and 6 shootings recorded over a full 90-day period across a city of 15,160 people, Newton dramatically outperforms many comparably sized Midwest cities. Theft at 13% of incidents and assault at 7% are both within ranges typical of low-crime communities. The high arrest rate (20% of all logged events) relative to the volume of crimes suggests Newton's law enforcement is responsive and active — a positive indicator for sustained safety. Residents looking to benchmark Newton against neighboring communities can use the crime map's comparison tools to see grade-by-grade breakdowns.

How current is the crime data on this map?

The Newton crime map is updated regularly with incident-level data sourced from local law enforcement logs. The most recent incidents in the current dataset are dated March 12, 2026 for the highest-volume categories (other, arrests, theft, and assault). Vandalism data runs through March 10, 2026, and the most recent shooting incident was logged on March 6, 2026. Burglary had one reported case with a date of March 7, 2026. You can use the map's date filters to narrow the view to the last 7, 30, or 90 days, or expand it to see longer-term trends across Newton's neighborhoods.