The FBI released its annual Uniform Crime Reports for 2016 this week, which includes a breakdown of crime rates in Metropolitan Statistical Areas, which include cities and surrounding areas to give a broader perspective of crime in a city.

Overall, the violent crime rate in Iowa continued its steady increase to a rate of 290.6 per 100,000 residents in 2016 since a low point in 2011 at 557.3. That is the highest rate since 2007 when the violent crime rate was 294.7.

The Cedar Rapids area saw its highest violent crime rate since 2007 with 220 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. This area includes Linn, Benton and Jones Counties. That was fueled mostly by a jump in assaults and rapes. The number of murders dropped from 8 in the area in 2015 to 5 in 2016.

The Dubuque area's crime rate rose to 242.8 per 100,000 residents, up from 186.5 last year. That was the biggest single year increase in the KCRG-TV9 viewing area but still well down from just 2010 when the Dubuque area's violent crime rate was 422.8. A rise in assaults was the biggest factor in the increased rate.

The Iowa City area's violent crime rate jumped to 291.6 per 100,000 residents, its highest rate since 2013. Increases in reported rapes and robberies were behind the overall increase. This area includes Johnson and Washington Counties.

Waterloo's rate dropped slightly but remained the highest violent crime rate among cities the FBI tracks in in Iowa at 442.4 violent crimes per 100,000 people. A drop in assaults was largely responsible for the decline in the crime rate. This area includes Black Hawk, Bremer and Grundy Counties.

Cedar Rapids Police say violent crimes are steadily decreasing within city limits. Police say the number are increased for the FBI because the agency broadened its definition of rape. It now includes objects used in vaginal or anal penetration.