Chelsea, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chelsea Safe?
Yes — Chelsea is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Chelsea has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 612.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 612
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 362
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
85% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chelsea 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
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
9 | -91% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
14 | -86% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chelsea Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chelsea Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chelsea zip codes.
Chelsea Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chelsea, IA?
Chelsea, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 612 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 362 chance for property crime. Chelsea has lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chelsea, IA safe to live in?
Chelsea 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 Chelsea is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chelsea?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chelsea is 163.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 612 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (55% below average); aggravated assault at 111.8 per 100K (58% below average); robbery at 32.2 per 100K (56% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chelsea?
The estimated property crime rate in Chelsea is 276.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 85% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 362 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 110.5 per 100K (59% below average); larceny/theft at 123.0 per 100K (91% below average); vehicle theft at 43.1 per 100K (86% below average).
How does Chelsea crime compare to the national average?
Chelsea's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (50% below average), while larceny/theft is 91% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chelsea has lower crime than 90% of them.
Is Chelsea safe to visit?
Chelsea is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 85% 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 Chelsea crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Chelsea's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Chelsea?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chelsea, with an estimated rate of 123.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 91% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (277 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (163 per 100K) in Chelsea, which is consistent with national trends.