Chariton, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chariton Safe?
Yes — Chariton is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Chariton has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 589.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 589
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
55% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 98
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
44% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chariton 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chariton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chariton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chariton zip codes.
Chariton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chariton, IA?
Chariton, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 589 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 98 chance for property crime. Chariton has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chariton, IA safe to live in?
Chariton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chariton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chariton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chariton is 169.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 589 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 128.2 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 23.8 per 100K (68% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chariton?
The estimated property crime rate in Chariton is 1,017.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 98 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 118.6 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 732.5 per 100K (48% below average); vehicle theft at 166.6 per 100K (48% below average).
How does Chariton crime compare to the national average?
Chariton's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (48% below average), while robbery is 68% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chariton has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Chariton safe to visit?
Chariton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 44% 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 Chariton crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Chariton's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Chariton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chariton, with an estimated rate of 732.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 48% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,018 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (170 per 100K) in Chariton, which is consistent with national trends.