Spencer, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Spencer Safe?
Yes — Spencer is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Spencer has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 605.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 605
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 80
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
31% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Spencer 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
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Spencer Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Spencer Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Spencer zip codes.
Spencer Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Spencer, IA?
Spencer, 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 605 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 80 chance for property crime. Spencer has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Spencer, IA safe to live in?
Spencer 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 Spencer is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Spencer?
The estimated violent crime rate in Spencer is 165.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 605 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (35% below average); aggravated assault at 114.1 per 100K (57% below average); robbery at 31.1 per 100K (58% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Spencer?
The estimated property crime rate in Spencer is 1,255.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 31% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 80 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 138.5 per 100K (49% below average); larceny/theft at 922.4 per 100K (34% below average); vehicle theft at 194.4 per 100K (39% below average).
How does Spencer crime compare to the national average?
Spencer's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (34% below average), while robbery is 58% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Spencer has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Spencer safe to visit?
Spencer is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 31% 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 Spencer crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Spencer's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Spencer?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Spencer, with an estimated rate of 922.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 34% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,255 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (165 per 100K) in Spencer, which is consistent with national trends.