Charles City, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 81% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Charles City Safe?
Yes — Charles City is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Charles City has a crime rate that is 44% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 454.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 454
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 75
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
27% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Charles City 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
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Charles City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Charles City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Charles City zip codes.
Charles City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Charles City, IA?
Charles City, IA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 454 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 75 chance for property crime. Charles City has lower crime than 81% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Charles City, IA safe to live in?
Charles City 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 Charles City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Charles City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Charles City is 220.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 454 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (39% below average); aggravated assault at 159.3 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 38.9 per 100K (47% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Charles City?
The estimated property crime rate in Charles City is 1,338.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 133.0 per 100K (51% below average); larceny/theft at 986.1 per 100K (30% below average); vehicle theft at 218.9 per 100K (31% below average).
How does Charles City crime compare to the national average?
Charles City's overall crime rate is 44% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (30% below average), while burglary is 51% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Charles City has lower crime than 81% of them.
Is Charles City safe to visit?
Charles City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% 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 Charles City crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Charles City's crime rate is 44% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Charles City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Charles City, with an estimated rate of 986.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 30% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,338 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (220 per 100K) in Charles City, which is consistent with national trends.