Des Moines, IA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

Get crime, demographics and other data for any location in Des Moines, IA

D+

78%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

94%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

75%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Des Moines_{/100k people}	Iowa_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	8,504	n/a (estimate)	4,056	1,721	2,281
Murder	9	n/a	4.3	2.5	5.7
Rape	145	n/a	69.2	41.3	38.0
Robbery	190	n/a	90.6	22.3	66.5
Assault	1,138	n/a	542.8	213.9	264.1
Violent crime	1,482	n/a (estimate)	707	280	364
Burglary	946	n/a	451.2	218.6	250.7
Theft	4,762	n/a	2,271.3	1,056.8	1,347.2
Vehicle theft	1,314	n/a	626.7	165.2	318.7
Property crime	7,022	n/a (estimate)	3,349	1,441	1,917

Des Moines crime map

The Des Moines crime map by CrimoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Des Moines as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Des Moines crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Des Moines crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.

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Crime Quick Facts

Des Moines crime rates are 78% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Des Moines are 94% higher than the national average
In Des Moines you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Des Moines is safer than 23% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Des Moines has increased by 68%

Des Moines, IA Crime Quiz

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The best places in Iowa

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Daily Crime In Des Moines (per 100,000 people)

The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Des Moines, Iowa is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Des Moines are 2.36 times more than the Iowa average and 1.78 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Des Moines are 2.53 times more than than Iowa and 1.94 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Des Moines are 2.32 times more than than Iowa and 1.75 times more than the national average.

How Safe is Des Moines (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in Des Moines in comparison to other Iowa communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Des Moines safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Des Moines being safer than 18% of cities in Iowa and 23% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Iowa cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Des Moines. In conclusion, Des Moines ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Des Moines

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Des Moines is 1 in 142

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Des Moines is 1 in 30

The chance of being a victim of crime in Des Moines is 1 in 25

Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Des Moines? In Des Moines, IA you have a 1 in 142 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Des Moines.

Year Over Year Crime In Des Moines (per 100,000 people)

An analysis of year to year crime rates in Des Moines, Iowa (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Des Moines has increased by 65%, the amount of property crime in Des Moines has increased by 68%, and the total amount of crime in Des Moines has increased by 68% year over year.

Des Moines police department

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

Sex offenders in Iowa

State	Total offenders	Iowa_/100K	National_/100K
Iowa	6,040	205	266

There are a total of 6,040 sex offenders in Iowa. This yields a total of 205 sex offenders in Iowa per 100,000 residents which is 23% less than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Mitchellville, IA	2,382	80	80	160
Granger, IA	1,890	39	202	242
Polk City, IA	4,797	64	366	429
Saylorville, IA	2,743	73	377	451
Norwalk, IA	11,467	47	417	465
Cumming, IA	536	113	582	695
Johnston, IA	22,077	102	701	803
Des Moines, IA	215,408	707	3,349	4,056

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Tacoma, WA	215,766	1,243	7,356	8,599
Enterprise, NV	214,591	271	1,636	1,907
Modesto, CA	214,485	647	2,229	2,876
San Bernardino, CA	216,784	1,071	3,223	4,294
Fontana, CA	212,704	281	1,365	1,646
Des Moines, IA	215,408	707	3,349	4,056

Source: The Des Moines, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.