Fort Dodge, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Fort Dodge Safe?
Yes — Fort Dodge is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Fort Dodge has a crime rate that is 41% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 466.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 466
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 68
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
20% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Fort Dodge 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
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Fort Dodge Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Fort Dodge Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Fort Dodge zip codes.
Fort Dodge Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Fort Dodge, IA?
Fort Dodge, IA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 41% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 466 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 68 chance for property crime. Fort Dodge has lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Fort Dodge, IA safe to live in?
Fort Dodge is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Fort Dodge is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Fort Dodge?
The estimated violent crime rate in Fort Dodge is 214.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 466 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (41% below average); aggravated assault at 155.5 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 39.2 per 100K (47% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Fort Dodge?
The estimated property crime rate in Fort Dodge is 1,465.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 165.3 per 100K (39% below average); larceny/theft at 1,066.0 per 100K (24% below average); vehicle theft at 233.7 per 100K (27% below average).
How does Fort Dodge crime compare to the national average?
Fort Dodge's overall crime rate is 41% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (24% below average), while rape is 49% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Fort Dodge has lower crime than 77% of them.
Is Fort Dodge safe to visit?
Fort Dodge is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 20% 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 Fort Dodge crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Fort Dodge's crime rate is 41% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Fort Dodge?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Fort Dodge, with an estimated rate of 1,066.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 24% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,465 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (215 per 100K) in Fort Dodge, which is consistent with national trends.