6 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Iowa

Iowa may be known as the “Land of the Rolling Prairie,” but beyond those wide open fields and quiet river valleys are towns shaped by the qualities people appreciate most about the Midwest. Life moves at a steady pace, neighbors look out for one another, and everyday routines feel comfortably uncomplicated. Whether you are hoping to retire somewhere peaceful, raise a family in a close-knit community, or just looking for a fresh start, these six Iowa towns fit the bill. Each has earned its reputation for safety through years of consistently low crime and a welcoming culture that makes daily life feel grounded and secure.

Asbury

Asbury sits just outside Dubuque, close enough that many residents treat it as an extension of the city. Daily errands, medical appointments, dining, and entertainment are all within a short drive, giving the community easy access to the amenities of a larger urban center while maintaining its own identity. Its position near the Illinois border also makes cross-state travel simple, whether for work or weekend plans.

For a town its size, Asbury has an impressive network of green spaces. Asbury Park has a large playground, basketball and tennis courts, sand and hard-court volleyball, and ballfields. Cloie Creek Park adds a splash pad, playgrounds, and a professionally-built flow trail for mountain biking. Nature lovers can head to Althaus Wetland & Nature Preserve or Wedgewood Preserve for short walks, birdwatching, and a more secluded feel along the town’s trail system. Just 20 minutes away is the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, a 1,400-acre park on the banks of the Mississippi River featuring wooded terrain, prairie land, limestone bluffs, and riverfront views.

Over recent years, the town’s safety numbers have been noteworthy. It has reported zero homicides in the last five years and has had only two spikes in aggravated assaults over the national and state rates. According to AreaVibes, Asbury’s overall crime rate is about 88 percent lower than the national average, a statistic that reinforces the sense of security here.

Eldridge

Eldridge sits just 10 minutes north of the Quad Cities, giving residents quick access to one of the most established metro areas along the upper Mississippi River. The Quad Cities include Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline in Illinois. Together they form a regional hub for major employers, healthcare networks, higher-education campuses, and a wide range of restaurants, shops, and cultural venues. Living in Eldridge keeps all of that within easy reach while allowing residents to remain outside the busier parts of the region.

Recreation in town leans family-focused and community-driven. The annual Moonlight Chase is a signature event, with quarter-mile and one-mile youth runs followed by a four-mile nighttime race lined with luminaries. This event anchors the Eldridge Summer Festival, a full weekend of children’s activities, food vendors, live music, and a car show. Families also spend time at The Fun Station, a large indoor play space with trampolines and climbing features. The Eldridge Community Center has an indoor roller skating rink and hosts gatherings and events year-round.

Safety trends add to the community’s appeal. Eldridge has reported zero homicides in the past decade, and its aggravated assault and violent crime rates have remained low. According to AreaVibes, the town’s overall crime rate is 64 percent lower than the national average, and the broader Scott County also shows strong numbers, with just two homicides since 2021 and a violent crime rate 45 percent below the national average.

North Liberty

Sitting about eight miles northwest of Iowa City, North Liberty is part of Eastern Iowa’s Creative Corridor, a seven-county area known for its diverse and growing economy. The Creative Corridor emerged from a regional effort to link nearby communities through shared workforce, education, and industry strengths, creating a broader job market and stronger brand identity for Eastern Iowa. For residents and job seekers, this means access to major employers across manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, tech, engineering, and creative services, all within a short drive.

Recreation is another key part of life here. North Liberty maintains an extensive network of bike and walking trails and parks that stay active throughout the year. Centennial Park is a popular gathering spot with open lawns, playgrounds, and an amphitheater-style setup used for concerts, outdoor movies, and seasonal events like the annual Blues & BBQ. Nearby Coralville Lake adds birding, disc golf, beaches, and boating to the list of local outdoor activities. It’s also home to the Devonian Fossil Gorge, an exposed ancient ocean floor filled with 375-million-year-old fossils.

In terms of safety, North Liberty has recorded zero homicides in recent years, and aggravated assault rates have stayed mostly below national levels, with only one spike in the past five years. Overall violent crime levels remain in line with or below state figures. According to AreaVibes, the town’s overall crime rate is 80 percent lower than the national average, and violent crime actually dropped by 50 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Pella

Walking through Pella feels like finding a corner of the Netherlands in the Midwest. Founded by Dutch immigrants in 1847, the town’s center is marked by Old World architecture and the towering Vermeer Windmill, one of North America’s tallest working windmills. The windmill is a highlight of the Pella Historical Village, which preserves a collection of historic buildings that tell a story of the community’s roots.

Just steps away is Franklin Street, where flavor meets tradition at places like The Sanctuary, known for its creative lattes, Ulrich Meat Market, offering smoked meats and Dutch specialties, and Jaarsma Bakery, famous for its Dutch letters. Sunken Gardens Park and Brinkhoff Park brighten the town with colorful flower beds that echo Holland’s tulip fields.

What makes Pella especially appealing is how safe it feels. The town’s aggravated assault rates have stayed well below both state and national levels, with only a few minor spikes in the last five years. It has recorded zero homicides in the past five years and only one in the last decade. That steady track record gives the community an added sense of comfort, making all of its Dutch-inspired charm even easier to enjoy.

Polk City

Polk City stands out for its exceptional safety record. The town has reported zero homicides in the last five years, and its aggravated assault rates remain very low, with only a couple of brief spikes in recent crime-tracking data. Polk City’s overall crime rate is 85 percent lower than the national average, placing it among the communities with the lowest violent crime levels in the country. For anyone prioritizing security without sacrificing convenience, this town more than earns its reputation.

Less than a 30-minute drive from Des Moines, Polk City offers access to the capital’s job market, entertainment, and amenities while maintaining its own steady rhythm. The community borders Saylorville Lake and Big Creek State Park, two of central Iowa’s most visited recreation areas. Residents spend summers kayaking, boating, fishing, and cycling, and the trail network makes it easy to stay active throughout the year. Big Creek’s beach, picnic areas, and wide shoreline paths often shape weekend plans for residents.

For a town of its size, Polk City also has quite the incredible food and drink scene. Arcadia offers farm-to-table dining with a rotating seasonal menu and an extensive craft cocktail list, and Fender’s Brewing, which began in a garage, now pours a rotating lineup of on-site brewed beers.

Waukon

Sitting in the heart of Iowa’s “Driftless Region,” Waukon has access to one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Midwest. The Driftless is a rare pocket of the upper Midwest that was untouched during the last Ice Age, leaving behind deep valleys, forested ridges, limestone outcrops, and some of Iowa’s most striking waterways. One way to experience it firsthand is via the Driftless Area Scenic Byway, a driving route that offers panoramic views, wildlife sightings, and historic sites along the way.

The terrain shapes daily life here, giving residents quick access to Yellow River State Forest, a favorite spot for hiking, trout fishing, horseback riding, and fall colors. The Upper Iowa River, known for its bluffs and wildlife viewing, offers memorable paddling routes, while Waukon City Park provides trails, green space, and a disc-golf course within town.

Waukon also has a small but lively collection of local stops. The Allamakee County Historical Museum, set in a former courthouse, showcases regional history, while shops like Steel Cow Gallery and WW Homestead Dairy, dubbed the “Cheese Curd Capital of Iowa,” add personality and places to wander on slower afternoons.

Crime patterns remain consistently low in Waukon, with one reported homicide in the last ten years and only occasional spikes in aggravated assault reports. Like Polk City, Waukon’s violent crime rate is 85 percent lower than the national average. Its overall crime dropped 26 percent from 2023 to 2024 too. With an unemployment rate of about three percent, well below national figures, the community maintains a strong sense of stability.

Finding a Place to Call Home

Safety may be the thread connecting these towns, but what ultimately sets them apart is the way they turn everyday living into something effortless and enjoyable. They offer routines that feel steady, landscapes that encourage you to slow down, and an environment that fosters genuine connection. Rolling fields, wooded valleys, and waterfront views create calm, scenic surroundings, while quirky mom-and-pop shops, annual community festivals, and familiar faces add character to daily life. For anyone rethinking where they want to put down roots, Iowa proves that you do not need a major metro to find opportunity, purpose, or a sense of home.