Palo, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Palo Safe?
Yes — Palo is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Palo has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 412.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 412
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
36% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 86
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
37% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Palo 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
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Palo Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Palo Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Palo zip codes.
Palo Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Palo, IA?
Palo, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 412 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 86 chance for property crime. Palo has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Palo, IA safe to live in?
Palo 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 Palo is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Palo?
The estimated violent crime rate in Palo is 242.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 36% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 412 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.3 per 100K (34% below average); aggravated assault at 86.8 per 100K (68% below average); robbery at 108.8 per 100K (47% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Palo?
The estimated property crime rate in Palo is 1,161.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 86 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 191.6 per 100K (29% below average); larceny/theft at 820.0 per 100K (42% below average); vehicle theft at 149.8 per 100K (53% below average).
How does Palo crime compare to the national average?
Palo's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (47% above average), while assault is 68% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Palo has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Palo safe to visit?
Palo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 37% 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 Palo crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Palo's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Palo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Palo, with an estimated rate of 820.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,161 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (243 per 100K) in Palo, which is consistent with national trends.