Ames, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 68% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Ames Safe?
Ames has a crime rate that is 34% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 419.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 419
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 65
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
16% lower than national average
Ames Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Ames Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Ames Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Ames zip codes.
Ames Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Ames, IA?
Ames, IA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 34% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 419 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Ames has lower crime than 68% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Ames, IA safe to live in?
Ames is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ames is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Ames?
The estimated violent crime rate in Ames is 238.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 419 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.5 per 100K (30% below average); aggravated assault at 158.0 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 55.0 per 100K (26% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Ames?
The estimated property crime rate in Ames is 1,534.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 164.4 per 100K (39% below average); larceny/theft at 1,120.0 per 100K (20% below average); vehicle theft at 250.4 per 100K (21% below average).
How does Ames crime compare to the national average?
Ames's overall crime rate is 34% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (20% below average), while assault is 41% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ames has lower crime than 68% of them.
Is Ames safe to visit?
Ames is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Ames crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Ames's crime rate is 34% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Ames?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ames, with an estimated rate of 1,120.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,535 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (239 per 100K) in Ames, which is consistent with national trends.