Waterloo, IA Crime Rate & Safety

Waterloo, IA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 18% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 346 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 55 chance for property crime. Waterloo has lower crime than 48% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Waterloo is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 88% of the city's 32 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Cedar Knoll is one of the safest areas, while Franklin Gateway has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Waterloo is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Waterloo are Cedar Knoll, Southdale, Alabar Hills, Liberty Park, and Audubon. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Waterloo include Franklin Gateway, Unity, Good Shepherd, Church Row, and Cedar River. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Waterloo is 289.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 346 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (21% below average); aggravated assault at 208.0 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 53.1 per 100K (28% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Waterloo is 1,810.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 55 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 222.7 per 100K (17% below average); larceny/theft at 1,306.9 per 100K (7% below average); vehicle theft at 281.3 per 100K (12% below average).

Waterloo's overall crime rate is 18% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (7% below average), while robbery is 28% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waterloo has lower crime than 48% of them.

Waterloo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Cedar Knoll, Southdale, Alabar Hills.

Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Waterloo's crime rate is 18% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waterloo, with an estimated rate of 1,306.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 7% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,811 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (289 per 100K) in Waterloo, which is consistent with national trends.