| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Sioux City/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,955 | n/a (estimate) | 3,453 | 1,618 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.2 | 1.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 79 | n/a | 92.3 | 42.5 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 60 | n/a | 70.1 | 21.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 301 | n/a | 351.7 | 220.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 441 | n/a (estimate) | 515 | 287 | 370 |
| Burglary | 342 | n/a | 399.6 | 218.6 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,893 | n/a | 2,212.0 | 965.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 279 | n/a | 326.0 | 147.4 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 2,514 | n/a (estimate) | 2,938 | 1,332 | 1,954 |
The Sioux City crime rates are 48.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 441 violent crimes in Sioux City (515 per 100,000 people), which is 39.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2514 property crimes (2938 per 100,000 residents) which is 50.3% higher than average.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Sioux City. Based on the results of the surveys (95 responses), 26% of people felt that there was very little crime in Sioux City and felt safe walking alone at night. While 74% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Sioux City is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Sioux City has a total crime rate that is 49% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 8.1 daily crimes (1.21 violent daily crimes and 6.89 daily property crimes) in Sioux City.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Sioux City. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Sioux City has decreased by 1.3%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 7.6%, while property crime has decreased by 0.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Sioux City.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Sioux City, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Sioux City has a population density of 1411.8 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Sioux City crime rates.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Sioux City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.76, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
| Item | Sioux City | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 147 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Iowa /100K | National /100K |
| Iowa | 6,040 | 205 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dakota Dunes, SD | 3,231 | 59 | 272 | 332 |
| Elk Point, SD | 2,102 | 150 | 692 | 842 |
| Sergeant Bluff, IA | 4,901 | 157 | 730 | 887 |
| Dakota City, NE | 2,249 | 124 | 828 | 952 |
| Hinton, IA | 805 | 242 | 1,128 | 1,370 |
| Lawton, IA | 1,055 | 264 | 1,232 | 1,496 |
| Salix, IA | 479 | 327 | 1,523 | 1,851 |
| Sioux City, IA | 82,535 | 515 | 2,938 | 3,453 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kennewick, WA | 82,633 | 477 | 4,657 | 5,134 |
| Melbourne, FL | 82,281 | 348 | 2,106 | 2,454 |
| Chino Hills, CA | 82,800 | 161 | 1,447 | 1,608 |
| Buena Park, CA | 82,228 | 246 | 2,911 | 3,157 |
| Longview, TX | 82,183 | 440 | 2,872 | 3,313 |
| Sioux City, IA | 82,535 | 515 | 2,938 | 3,453 |
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