Chester, 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 Chester Safe?
Yes — Chester is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Chester has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 508.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 508
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 295
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
81% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chester 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
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
10 | -90% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
27 | -73% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chester zip codes.
Chester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chester, IA?
Chester, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 508 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 295 chance for property crime. Chester has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chester, IA safe to live in?
Chester 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 Chester is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chester is 197.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 508 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (54% below average); aggravated assault at 135.3 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 37.6 per 100K (49% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chester?
The estimated property crime rate in Chester is 339.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 81% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 295 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 114.2 per 100K (58% below average); larceny/theft at 137.9 per 100K (90% below average); vehicle theft at 87.2 per 100K (73% below average).
How does Chester crime compare to the national average?
Chester's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (35% below average), while larceny/theft is 90% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chester has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Chester safe to visit?
Chester is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 81% 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 Chester crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Chester's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Chester?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chester, with an estimated rate of 137.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 90% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (339 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (197 per 100K) in Chester, which is consistent with national trends.