Des Moines, IA — Crime Rate & Safety
Population 214K · 2023 FBI UCR Data
Des Moines, IA has a violent crime rate of 208.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% below the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate is 1,405 per 100,000, 23% below the national average. Over the past 5 years, crime in Des Moines has decreased by 12.0%.Des Moines receives a Safety Context Score of B (79/100) based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Reading this data in context: Des Moines's violent crime rate of 208.2 per 100,000 residents is 43% below the national average. Over the past 5 years, the overall crime rate has decreased (-12.0%). Crime data reflects reported incidents and does not capture the full picture of neighborhood safety. All crime statistics are compiled from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which aggregates data reported by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Crime Rate Breakdown (per 100K residents)
All rates per 100,000 residents. National average shown for comparison.
5-Year Crime Rate Trend
Per-capita rates per 100,000 residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines has a Safety Context Score of B (79/100). The violent crime rate is 208.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 363.8. Over the past 5 years, overall crime has decreased (-12.0%).
Des Moines's violent crime rate is 208.2 per 100,000 residents and property crime rate is 1,405 per 100,000. These are per-capita rates based on FBI UCR data, which provide a more accurate comparison than raw crime counts.
Des Moines's 5-year crime trend shows a -12.0% change. Crime rates have been decreasing, which is a positive sign. Always look at long-term trends rather than single-year changes.
Des Moines's violent crime rate of 208.2 per 100K is below the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate of 1,405 per 100K is below the national average of 1,832.
Based on 2023 FBI data, Des Moines earns a Safety Context Score of B (79/100). With below-average crime rates, Des Moines compares favorably to most US cities. The 5-year trend is improving, which is an important factor for anyone considering relocation. Crime statistics represent city-wide averages and vary significantly by neighborhood.
The most common crime type in Des Moines is larceny-theft at 955.1 per 100,000 residents. Overall, property crime (1,405/100K) is significantly more common than violent crime (208.2/100K), which is typical for most US cities. Motor vehicle theft is 154.5/100K below the national average of 318.3.
Explore More
All crime rates are per 100,000 residents. Safety Context Scores are calculated using per-capita violent crime (40%), per-capita property crime (30%), and 5-year trend direction (30%), all compared to national averages.