Elma, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Elma Safe?
Yes — Elma is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Elma has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 510.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 510
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 233
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
77% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Elma 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
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
12 | -88% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Elma Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Elma Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Elma zip codes.
Elma Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Elma, IA?
Elma, 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 510 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 233 chance for property crime. Elma has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Elma, IA safe to live in?
Elma 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 Elma is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Elma?
The estimated violent crime rate in Elma is 196.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 510 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 142.3 per 100K (47% below average); robbery at 32.4 per 100K (56% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Elma?
The estimated property crime rate in Elma is 429.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 77% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 233 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 119.2 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 172.8 per 100K (88% below average); vehicle theft at 137.5 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Elma crime compare to the national average?
Elma's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (43% below average), while larceny/theft is 88% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Elma has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Elma safe to visit?
Elma is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 77% 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 Elma crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Elma's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Elma?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Elma, with an estimated rate of 172.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 88% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (430 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (196 per 100K) in Elma, which is consistent with national trends.