Nichols, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Nichols Safe?
Yes — Nichols is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Nichols has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 395.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 395
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 115
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
52% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Nichols 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
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Nichols Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Nichols Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Nichols zip codes.
Nichols Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Nichols, IA?
Nichols, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 395 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 115 chance for property crime. Nichols has lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Nichols, IA safe to live in?
Nichols 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 Nichols is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Nichols?
The estimated violent crime rate in Nichols is 252.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 395 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (41% below average); aggravated assault at 185.4 per 100K (31% below average); robbery at 37.1 per 100K (50% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Nichols?
The estimated property crime rate in Nichols is 871.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 115 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 186.5 per 100K (31% below average); larceny/theft at 509.8 per 100K (64% below average); vehicle theft at 174.7 per 100K (45% below average).
How does Nichols crime compare to the national average?
Nichols's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (18% below average), while larceny/theft is 64% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Nichols has lower crime than 83% of them.
Is Nichols safe to visit?
Nichols is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 52% 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 Nichols crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Nichols's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Nichols?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Nichols, with an estimated rate of 509.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 64% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (871 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (253 per 100K) in Nichols, which is consistent with national trends.