Mason City, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Mason City Safe?
Yes — Mason City is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Mason City has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 516.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 516
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 67
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
19% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Mason 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
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Mason City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Mason City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Mason City zip codes.
Mason City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Mason City, IA?
Mason City, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 516 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 67 chance for property crime. Mason City has lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Mason City, IA safe to live in?
Mason 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 Mason City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Mason City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Mason City is 193.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 516 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (43% below average); aggravated assault at 135.3 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 37.7 per 100K (49% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Mason City?
The estimated property crime rate in Mason City is 1,489.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 67 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 163.3 per 100K (39% below average); larceny/theft at 1,106.6 per 100K (21% below average); vehicle theft at 219.5 per 100K (31% below average).
How does Mason City crime compare to the national average?
Mason City's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (21% below average), while assault is 50% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Mason City has lower crime than 93% of them.
Is Mason City safe to visit?
Mason City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 19% 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 Mason City crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Mason City's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Mason City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Mason City, with an estimated rate of 1,106.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,489 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (194 per 100K) in Mason City, which is consistent with national trends.