West Union, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is West Union Safe?
Yes — West Union is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
West Union has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 468.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 468
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
44% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 115
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
52% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
West Union 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
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
West Union Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
West Union Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific West Union zip codes.
West Union Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in West Union, IA?
West Union, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 468 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 115 chance for property crime. West Union has lower crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is West Union, IA safe to live in?
West Union 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 Union is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in West Union?
The estimated violent crime rate in West Union is 213.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 468 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.6 per 100K (49% below average); aggravated assault at 156.6 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 39.7 per 100K (46% below average).
What is the property crime rate in West Union?
The estimated property crime rate in West Union is 871.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 115 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 123.9 per 100K (54% below average); larceny/theft at 605.7 per 100K (57% below average); vehicle theft at 141.5 per 100K (56% below average).
How does West Union crime compare to the national average?
West Union's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (42% below average), while larceny/theft is 57% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, West Union has lower crime than 91% of them.
Is West Union safe to visit?
West Union is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 52% 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 Union crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. West Union's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in West Union?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in West Union, with an estimated rate of 605.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 57% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (871 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (214 per 100K) in West Union, which is consistent with national trends.