Northwood, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Northwood Safe?
Yes — Northwood is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Northwood has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 559.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 559
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 153
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
64% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Northwood 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
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Northwood Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Northwood Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Northwood zip codes.
Northwood Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Northwood, IA?
Northwood, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 559 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 153 chance for property crime. Northwood has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Northwood, IA safe to live in?
Northwood 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 Northwood is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Northwood?
The estimated violent crime rate in Northwood is 178.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 559 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (55% below average); aggravated assault at 136.4 per 100K (49% below average); robbery at 23.6 per 100K (68% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Northwood?
The estimated property crime rate in Northwood is 653.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 153 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 110.3 per 100K (59% below average); larceny/theft at 419.1 per 100K (70% below average); vehicle theft at 123.8 per 100K (61% below average).
How does Northwood crime compare to the national average?
Northwood's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (49% below average), while larceny/theft is 70% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Northwood has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Northwood safe to visit?
Northwood is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 64% 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 Northwood crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Northwood's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Northwood?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Northwood, with an estimated rate of 419.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 70% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (653 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (179 per 100K) in Northwood, which is consistent with national trends.