Ottumwa, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Ottumwa Safe?
Ottumwa has a crime rate that is 40% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 402.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 402
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 65
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
16% lower than national average
Ottumwa 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
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Ottumwa Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Ottumwa Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Ottumwa zip codes.
Ottumwa Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Ottumwa, IA?
Ottumwa, IA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 402 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Ottumwa has lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Ottumwa, IA safe to live in?
Ottumwa is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ottumwa is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Ottumwa?
The estimated violent crime rate in Ottumwa is 248.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 402 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 181.6 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 42.9 per 100K (42% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Ottumwa?
The estimated property crime rate in Ottumwa is 1,545.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 188.8 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,123.2 per 100K (20% below average); vehicle theft at 233.8 per 100K (27% below average).
How does Ottumwa crime compare to the national average?
Ottumwa's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (20% below average), while robbery is 42% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ottumwa has lower crime than 75% of them.
Is Ottumwa safe to visit?
Ottumwa is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% 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 Ottumwa crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Ottumwa's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Ottumwa?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ottumwa, with an estimated rate of 1,123.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,546 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (249 per 100K) in Ottumwa, which is consistent with national trends.