Houghton, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Houghton Safe?
Yes — Houghton is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Houghton has a crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 353.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 353
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
26% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 298
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
82% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Houghton 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
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
116 | +16% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
113 | +13% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
6 | -94% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Houghton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Houghton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Houghton zip codes.
Houghton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Houghton, IA?
Houghton, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 55% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 353 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 298 chance for property crime. Houghton has lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Houghton, IA safe to live in?
Houghton 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 Houghton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Houghton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Houghton is 283.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 353 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (43% below average); aggravated assault at 156.7 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 85.8 per 100K (16% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Houghton?
The estimated property crime rate in Houghton is 336.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 82% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 298 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 121.5 per 100K (55% below average); larceny/theft at 88.8 per 100K (94% below average); vehicle theft at 125.7 per 100K (61% below average).
How does Houghton crime compare to the national average?
Houghton's overall crime rate is 55% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (16% above average), while larceny/theft is 94% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Houghton has lower crime than 100% of them.
Is Houghton safe to visit?
Houghton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 82% 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 Houghton crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Houghton's crime rate is 55% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Houghton?
Aggravated assault is the most common crime in Houghton, with an estimated rate of 156.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (336 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (284 per 100K) in Houghton, which is consistent with national trends.