Selma, 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 Selma Safe?
Yes — Selma is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Selma has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 704.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 704
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
63% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 335
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
84% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Selma 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
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
8 | -92% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Selma Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Selma Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Selma zip codes.
Selma Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Selma, IA?
Selma, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 704 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 335 chance for property crime. Selma has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Selma, IA safe to live in?
Selma 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 Selma is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Selma?
The estimated violent crime rate in Selma is 142.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 704 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.0 per 100K (60% below average); aggravated assault at 110.9 per 100K (59% below average); robbery at 16.9 per 100K (77% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Selma?
The estimated property crime rate in Selma is 298.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 84% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 335 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 120.6 per 100K (55% below average); larceny/theft at 110.9 per 100K (92% below average); vehicle theft at 66.9 per 100K (79% below average).
How does Selma crime compare to the national average?
Selma's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (55% below average), while larceny/theft is 92% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Selma has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Selma safe to visit?
Selma is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 84% 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 Selma crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Selma's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Selma?
Burglary is the most common crime in Selma, with an estimated rate of 120.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 55% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (298 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (142 per 100K) in Selma, which is consistent with national trends.