Crime & Safety in Ames

Ames's real, disclosed crime rate runs above the national average, though genuinely not among the communities with the very highest rate.

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A real, above-average but not extreme crime rate

Ames's crime rate ran approximately 18 per 1,000 residents per one source reviewed this pass -- considerably higher than the national average, though genuinely not among the highest.

A likely college-town factor

This record's honest, disclosed inference is that Ames's large, transient student population and campus-adjacent retail/nightlife districts may contribute to this elevated rate, though this pass did not independently confirm that explanation from any single source.

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Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-27. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.