Storm Lake, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 80% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Storm Lake Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Storm Lake has a crime rate that is 24% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 215.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 215
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
22% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 35
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
55% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Storm Lake 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
|
134 | +34% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
154 | +54% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Storm Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Storm Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Storm Lake zip codes.
Storm Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Storm Lake, IA?
Storm Lake, IA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 215 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 35 chance for property crime. Storm Lake has higher crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Storm Lake, IA safe to live in?
Storm Lake has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Storm Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Storm Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Storm Lake is 465.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 215 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.7 per 100K (34% above average); aggravated assault at 323.7 per 100K (21% above average); robbery at 84.4 per 100K (14% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Storm Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Storm Lake is 2,845.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 35 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 249.4 per 100K (8% below average); larceny/theft at 2,103.7 per 100K (50% above average); vehicle theft at 492.3 per 100K (54% above average).
How does Storm Lake crime compare to the national average?
Storm Lake's overall crime rate is 24% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (54% above average), while burglary is 8% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Storm Lake has higher crime than 80% of them.
Is Storm Lake safe to visit?
Visitors to Storm Lake should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 55% above 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 Storm Lake crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Storm Lake's crime rate is 24% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Storm Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Storm Lake, with an estimated rate of 2,103.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,845 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (465 per 100K) in Storm Lake, which is consistent with national trends.