Oelwein, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Oelwein Safe?
Yes — Oelwein is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Oelwein has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 582.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 582
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
55% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 74
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
26% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Oelwein 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Oelwein Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Oelwein Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Oelwein zip codes.
Oelwein Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Oelwein, IA?
Oelwein, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 582 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 74 chance for property crime. Oelwein has lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Oelwein, IA safe to live in?
Oelwein 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 Oelwein is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Oelwein?
The estimated violent crime rate in Oelwein is 171.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 582 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 130.0 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 26.7 per 100K (64% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Oelwein?
The estimated property crime rate in Oelwein is 1,348.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 74 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 142.6 per 100K (47% below average); larceny/theft at 997.0 per 100K (29% below average); vehicle theft at 209.0 per 100K (34% below average).
How does Oelwein crime compare to the national average?
Oelwein's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (29% below average), while robbery is 64% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Oelwein has lower crime than 95% of them.
Is Oelwein safe to visit?
Oelwein is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 26% 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 Oelwein crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Oelwein's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Oelwein?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Oelwein, with an estimated rate of 997.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 29% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,349 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (172 per 100K) in Oelwein, which is consistent with national trends.