| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Des Moines/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 8,013 | n/a (estimate) | 3,829 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 9 | n/a | 4.3 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 107 | n/a | 51.1 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 157 | n/a | 75.0 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,198 | n/a | 572.5 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,471 | n/a (estimate) | 703 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 968 | n/a | 462.6 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 4,482 | n/a | 2,142.0 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,092 | n/a | 521.9 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 6,542 | n/a (estimate) | 3,126 | 1,297 | 1,760 |
The Des Moines crime rates are 80.7% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 1471 violent crimes in Des Moines (703 per 100,000 people), which is 95.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 6542 property crimes (3126 per 100,000 residents) which is 77.6% higher than average.
Des Moines has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 703 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Des Moines falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 143 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Des Moines ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1092 vehicle thefts, amounting to 522 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Des Moines within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 192.
AreaVibes surveyed 144 local residents in Des Moines to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 51% of people answered that there was very little crime in Des Moines and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 49% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Des Moines a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Des Moines crime rate is 81% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 21.95 crimes per day - 4.03 violent crimes and 17.92 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Des Moines crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Des Moines has decreased by 1.1% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 9.8% and property crime has decreased by 3.3%.
Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Des Moines, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 51 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Des Moines are areas such as Westwood, Woodland Heights and Waterbury, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Capitol East, Laurel Hill and Magnolia Park are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Des Moines crime rate. The poverty level in Des Moines is 16%, while the national average is 15.1%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Des Moines crime rates. The population density in Des Moines is 2510 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Des Moines is $256,147, compared to a national average of $326,622.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 500 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Iowa /100K | National /100K |
| Iowa | 6,040 | 205 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Granger, IA | 1,931 | 34 | 182 | 216 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11,804 | 109 | 180 | 289 |
| Polk City, IA | 4,940 | 31 | 290 | 320 |
| Saylorville, IA | 2,841 | 64 | 340 | 403 |
| Mitchellville, IA | 2,467 | 38 | 376 | 413 |
| Cumming, IA | 550 | 98 | 524 | 622 |
| Carlisle, IA | 4,329 | 114 | 525 | 639 |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 703 | 3,126 | 3,829 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| San Bernardino, CA | 221,910 | 897 | 2,898 | 3,795 |
| Enterprise, NV | 221,693 | 261 | 1,428 | 1,689 |
| Modesto, CA | 222,619 | 656 | 2,415 | 3,070 |
| Tacoma, WA | 223,137 | 1,063 | 5,604 | 6,667 |
| Fontana, CA | 220,412 | 270 | 1,216 | 1,487 |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 703 | 3,126 | 3,829 |
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