Hiawatha, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Hiawatha Safe?
Yes — Hiawatha is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Hiawatha has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 400.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 400
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 73
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
25% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Hiawatha 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
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Hiawatha Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Hiawatha Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Hiawatha zip codes.
Hiawatha Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Hiawatha, IA?
Hiawatha, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 400 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 73 chance for property crime. Hiawatha has lower crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Hiawatha, IA safe to live in?
Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Hiawatha?
The estimated violent crime rate in Hiawatha is 250.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 400 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (32% below average); aggravated assault at 154.7 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 65.4 per 100K (12% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Hiawatha?
The estimated property crime rate in Hiawatha is 1,377.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 73 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 277.5 per 100K (3% above average); larceny/theft at 916.4 per 100K (35% below average); vehicle theft at 183.9 per 100K (42% below average).
How does Hiawatha crime compare to the national average?
Hiawatha's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (3% above average), while assault is 42% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hiawatha has lower crime than 86% of them.
Is Hiawatha safe to visit?
Hiawatha is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 25% 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 Hiawatha crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Hiawatha's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Hiawatha?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hiawatha, with an estimated rate of 916.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 35% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,378 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (250 per 100K) in Hiawatha, which is consistent with national trends.