Elkhart, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Elkhart Safe?
Yes — Elkhart is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Elkhart has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 486.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 486
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 191
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
71% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Elkhart 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
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
15 | -85% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Elkhart Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Elkhart Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Elkhart zip codes.
Elkhart Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Elkhart, IA?
Elkhart, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 486 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 191 chance for property crime. Elkhart has lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Elkhart, IA safe to live in?
Elkhart 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 Elkhart is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Elkhart?
The estimated violent crime rate in Elkhart is 205.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 486 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (47% below average); aggravated assault at 133.7 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 47.1 per 100K (36% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Elkhart?
The estimated property crime rate in Elkhart is 524.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 71% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 191 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 147.7 per 100K (45% below average); larceny/theft at 217.0 per 100K (85% below average); vehicle theft at 160.1 per 100K (50% below average).
How does Elkhart crime compare to the national average?
Elkhart's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (34% below average), while larceny/theft is 85% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Elkhart has lower crime than 95% of them.
Is Elkhart safe to visit?
Elkhart is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 71% 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 Elkhart crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Elkhart's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Elkhart?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Elkhart, with an estimated rate of 217.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 85% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (525 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (206 per 100K) in Elkhart, which is consistent with national trends.