Van Meter, 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 Van Meter Safe?
Yes — Van Meter is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Van Meter has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 517.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 517
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 181
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
70% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Van Meter 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Van Meter Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Van Meter Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Van Meter zip codes.
Van Meter Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Van Meter, IA?
Van Meter, 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 517 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 181 chance for property crime. Van Meter has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Van Meter, IA safe to live in?
Van Meter 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 Van Meter is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Van Meter?
The estimated violent crime rate in Van Meter is 193.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 517 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 109.8 per 100K (59% below average); robbery at 56.9 per 100K (23% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Van Meter?
The estimated property crime rate in Van Meter is 553.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 181 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 166.5 per 100K (38% below average); larceny/theft at 316.8 per 100K (77% below average); vehicle theft at 70.1 per 100K (78% below average).
How does Van Meter crime compare to the national average?
Van Meter's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (23% below average), while vehicle theft is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Van Meter has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Van Meter safe to visit?
Van Meter is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 70% 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 Van Meter crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Van Meter's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Van Meter?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Van Meter, with an estimated rate of 316.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 77% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (553 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (194 per 100K) in Van Meter, which is consistent with national trends.