Johnston, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Johnston Safe?
Johnston has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 443.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 443
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 77
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% lower than national average
Johnston 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
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Johnston Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Johnston Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Johnston zip codes.
Johnston Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Johnston, IA?
Johnston, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 443 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 77 chance for property crime. Johnston has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Johnston, IA safe to live in?
Johnston 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 Johnston is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Johnston?
The estimated violent crime rate in Johnston is 225.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 443 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (20% below average); aggravated assault at 149.3 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 46.6 per 100K (37% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Johnston?
The estimated property crime rate in Johnston is 1,297.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 77 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 140.1 per 100K (48% below average); larceny/theft at 849.5 per 100K (39% below average); vehicle theft at 307.5 per 100K (4% below average).
How does Johnston crime compare to the national average?
Johnston's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (4% below average), while burglary is 48% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Johnston has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Johnston safe to visit?
Johnston is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% 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 Johnston crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Johnston's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Johnston?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Johnston, with an estimated rate of 849.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 39% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,297 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (226 per 100K) in Johnston, which is consistent with national trends.