Sheldon, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sheldon Safe?
Yes — Sheldon is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Sheldon has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 417.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 417
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 68
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
20% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sheldon 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
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sheldon Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sheldon Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sheldon zip codes.
Sheldon Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sheldon, IA?
Sheldon, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 417 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 68 chance for property crime. Sheldon has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sheldon, IA safe to live in?
Sheldon 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 Sheldon is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sheldon?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sheldon is 239.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 417 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (37% below average); aggravated assault at 166.5 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 47.4 per 100K (36% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Sheldon?
The estimated property crime rate in Sheldon is 1,474.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 109.8 per 100K (59% below average); larceny/theft at 1,091.6 per 100K (22% below average); vehicle theft at 272.6 per 100K (15% below average).
How does Sheldon crime compare to the national average?
Sheldon's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (15% below average), while burglary is 59% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sheldon has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Sheldon safe to visit?
Sheldon is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 20% 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 Sheldon crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Sheldon's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Sheldon?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sheldon, with an estimated rate of 1,091.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 22% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,474 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (240 per 100K) in Sheldon, which is consistent with national trends.