Dubuque, Iowa, has earned national recognition as one of America’s safest mid-sized cities, ranking #15 on SmartAsset.com’s 2026 list of the 75 safest mid-sized cities in the U.S.

The financial technology firm analyzed more than 300 cities using four key metrics: violent crime rate, property crime rate, motor vehicle fatality rate, and disaster risk.

Strong Regional Standing

Among four Iowa cities on the list, Dubuque ranked second, ahead of West Des Moines (#45) and Iowa City (#50). It also placed fifth among Upper Midwest communities in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin — outperforming cities such as Rochester, Minnesota, and Naperville, Illinois.

Positive Local Trends

Dubuque saw encouraging safety improvements in 2025, with property crimes dropping to their lowest level in at least 13 years. The Dubuque Police Department also maintains strong performance, with crime clearance rates that significantly exceed national averages for both violent crimes and property crimes. Detailed statistics are available in the department’s 2025 Annual Report at cityofdubuque.org/police.

The rankings additionally highlighted Dubuque’s “relatively low” disaster risk, based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index.

More information on the methodology and full rankings can be found at:

SmartAsset.com/data-studies/americas-safest-midsize-cities-2026-study

This recognition reinforces Dubuque’s reputation as a secure and desirable community in the Midwest.