West Branch, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is West Branch Safe?
Yes — West Branch is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
West Branch has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 449.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 449
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 122
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
55% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
West Branch 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
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
West Branch Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
West Branch Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific West Branch zip codes.
West Branch Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in West Branch, IA?
West Branch, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 449 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 122 chance for property crime. West Branch has lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is West Branch, IA safe to live in?
West Branch 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 West Branch is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in West Branch?
The estimated violent crime rate in West Branch is 222.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 449 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (46% below average); aggravated assault at 144.4 per 100K (46% below average); robbery at 49.4 per 100K (33% below average).
What is the property crime rate in West Branch?
The estimated property crime rate in West Branch is 816.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 122 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 145.3 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 531.3 per 100K (62% below average); vehicle theft at 139.9 per 100K (56% below average).
How does West Branch crime compare to the national average?
West Branch's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (22% below average), while larceny/theft is 62% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, West Branch has lower crime than 96% of them.
Is West Branch safe to visit?
West Branch is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 55% 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 West Branch crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. West Branch's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in West Branch?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in West Branch, with an estimated rate of 531.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 62% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (817 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (223 per 100K) in West Branch, which is consistent with national trends.