Lake City, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lake City Safe?
Yes — Lake City is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lake City has a crime rate that is 53% 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
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 173
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
68% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lake City 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
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lake City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lake City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lake City zip codes.
Lake City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lake City, IA?
Lake City, 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 510 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 173 chance for property crime. Lake City has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lake City, IA safe to live in?
Lake City 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 Lake City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lake City is 196.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% 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 2.5 per 100K (51% below average); aggravated assault at 133.8 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 39.9 per 100K (46% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lake City?
The estimated property crime rate in Lake City is 578.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 173 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 121.4 per 100K (55% below average); larceny/theft at 338.3 per 100K (76% below average); vehicle theft at 118.7 per 100K (63% below average).
How does Lake City crime compare to the national average?
Lake City's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (41% below average), while larceny/theft is 76% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake City has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Lake City safe to visit?
Lake City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 Lake City crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Lake City's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Lake City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake City, with an estimated rate of 338.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 76% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (578 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (196 per 100K) in Lake City, which is consistent with national trends.