Council Bluffs, IA Crime Rate & Safety

Council Bluffs, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 480 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 77 chance for property crime. Council Bluffs has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Council Bluffs is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 55 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Deerfield is one of the safest areas, while Bayliss Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Council Bluffs is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Council Bluffs are Deerfield, The Hills of Cedar Creek, Ridge View, Glen Oaks, and Tara Hills. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Council Bluffs include Bayliss Park, Sherwood, Riverside, Gibraltar, and Kanesville / Tinley. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Council Bluffs is 208.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 480 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (45% below average); aggravated assault at 146.5 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 40.4 per 100K (45% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Council Bluffs is 1,291.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 77 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 143.3 per 100K (47% below average); larceny/theft at 944.8 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 203.5 per 100K (36% below average).

Council Bluffs's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (33% below average), while burglary is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Council Bluffs has lower crime than 84% of them.

Council Bluffs is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 30% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Deerfield, The Hills of Cedar Creek, Ridge View.

Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Council Bluffs's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Council Bluffs, with an estimated rate of 944.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,292 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (209 per 100K) in Council Bluffs, which is consistent with national trends.