Carter Lake, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 65% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Carter Lake Safe?
Yes — Carter Lake has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Carter Lake has a crime rate that is 32% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 523.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 523
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
50% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 66
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
17% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Carter Lake 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
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
16 | -84% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Carter Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Carter Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Carter Lake zip codes.
Carter Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Carter Lake, IA?
Carter Lake, IA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 523 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 66 chance for property crime. Carter Lake has lower crime than 65% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Carter Lake, IA safe to live in?
Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Carter Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Carter Lake is 191.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 50% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 523 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 155.4 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 11.8 per 100K (84% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Carter Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Carter Lake is 1,525.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 17% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 66 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 189.5 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,065.8 per 100K (24% below average); vehicle theft at 270.1 per 100K (15% below average).
How does Carter Lake crime compare to the national average?
Carter Lake's overall crime rate is 32% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (15% below average), while robbery is 84% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Carter Lake has lower crime than 65% of them.
Is Carter Lake safe to visit?
Carter Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 17% 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 Carter Lake crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Carter Lake's crime rate is 32% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Carter Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Carter Lake, with an estimated rate of 1,065.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 24% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,525 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (191 per 100K) in Carter Lake, which is consistent with national trends.