Iowa Lands Eight Cities in America’s Safest Midsize City Rankings; Four in the Top 50

Iowa is earning some serious national recognition for safety after four communities landed in the top 50 of America’s Safest Midsize Cities list for 2026 by SmartAsset. The study examined over 300 cities across the United States with populations between 65,000 and 250,000 to determine which offered residents the strongest combination of public safety and everyday security.

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The study looked specifically at four major factors: violent crime rates, property crime rates, motor vehicle fatality rates, and natural disaster risk. Crime statistics came from the FBI’s most recent “Crime in the United States” report. Traffic fatality data was sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SmartAsset also incorporated FEMA’s National Risk Index to evaluate the chance of a natural disaster and the community's response. Each category was weighted into a composite score that determined the final rankings. You can find the full list of Iowa cities with their scores at the bottom of this article.

Leading the way for Iowa was Ames. The city finished 4th overall in the nation, and highest among all Iowa cities. Ames earned its high marks with low violent crime rates, low traffic fatality numbers, and relatively low disaster risk. Home to the ISU Cyclones, the city continues to attract families, students, and professionals looking for a community that balances opportunity with quality of life.

In my neck of the woods, Dubuque also earned some much-deserved national attention. The city ranked 15th on the list and boasts several colleges. City officials highlighted the ranking after property crime in Dubuque fell to the lowest level in at least 13 years during 2025. The Dubuque Police Department also reported crime clearance rates that outperform national averages for both crimes against persons and property crimes. However, of the top 4 Iowa communities, Dubuque did correspond with the highest number for violent crimes. The study also recognized Dubuque for having a relatively low natural disaster risk, despite the city's proximity to the Mississippi river and the seasonal risk of flooding.

Further down the rankings, West Des Moines claimed the 45th spot. The growing suburban community continues to build a reputation for strong neighborhoods, steady economic growth, and comparatively low violent crime rates. Its mix of business growth and family-friendly living helped it stand out.

Iowa’s presence in the top 50 wraps up with Iowa City in that 50th spot. The city is known nationally for the University of Iowa and its strong ties to healthcare and the education sector. Iowa City performed well despite higher property crime numbers than the other ranked Iowa communities. However, the city’s moderate traffic fatality rate and disaster risk helped secure its spot in the top 50.

Several other Iowa cities made it into the top 300 Nationally according to the study. While no city is risk-free, these listed midsized cities still offer residents a stronger sense of everyday security than others. They include:

• Cedar Rapids at 106
• Des Moines at 196
• Davenport at 204
• Sioux City at 212

These rankings are a pretty strong reminder of what many Iowans already know. Our state continues to offer a mix of safety, stability, and everyday quality of life that's hard to find elsewhere. Whether it’s a college town like Ames or Iowa City, a river city like Dubuque, or a fast-growing suburb like West Des Moines, Iowa deserves to be on this list. Our strong neighborhoods, engaged residents, and continued investment in public safety clearly make a difference for families. For a state that often flies under the radar, landing eight cities in this study is something Iowa, like it's residents, can feel good about.