Des Moines Vs Iowa And National Crime Rates
According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Des Moines is 3,829.5 per 100,000 people. That's 80.70% higher than the national rate of 2,119.2 per 100,000 people and 148.67% higher than the Iowa total crime rate of 1,540.0 per 100,000 people.
| Statistic | Count Raw |
Des Moines / 100k People |
Iowa / 100k People |
National / 100k People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crimes Per 100K | 8,013 | 3,829.5 | 1,540.0 | 2,119.2 |
| Murder | 9 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Robbery | 157 | 75.0 | 18.7 | 61.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,198 | 572.5 | 187.2 | 256.0 |
| Violent Crime | 1,471 | 703.0 | 243.3 | 359.0 |
| Burglary | 968 | 462.6 | 199.1 | 229.0 |
| Larceny | 4,482 | 2,142.0 | 962.6 | 1,272.0 |
| Car Theft | 1,092 | 521.9 | 135.1 | 259.0 |
| Property Crime | 6,542 | 3,126.5 | 1,296.8 | 1,760.0 |
Des Moines Crime Compared To Iowa Averages
Each category indexed to the worst per-capita rate in Iowa. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Worried about safety? Compare home security systems in Des Moines Get matched →Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)
Violent Crime Rates In Des Moines
- There were 1,471 violent crimes in Des Moines in the last reporting year.
- The violent crime rate in Des Moines is 703.0 per 100,000 people.
- You have a 1 in 142.2 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Des Moines each year. That compares to a 1 in 411.1 chance statewide.
- That's 95.82% higher than the national rate of 359.0 per 100,000 people.
- And 189.00% higher than the Iowa violent crime rate of 243.3 per 100,000 people.
Property Crime Rates In Des Moines
- There were 6,542 property crimes in Des Moines in the last reporting year.
- The property crime rate in Des Moines is 3,126.5 per 100,000 people.
- You have a 1 in 32.0 chance of being the victim of a property crime in Des Moines each year. That compares to a 1 in 0.0 chance nationally.
- That's 77.64% higher than the national rate of 1,760.0 per 100,000 people.
- And 141.10% higher than the Iowa property crime rate of 1,296.8 per 100,000 people.
Crime In Cities Around Des Moines
| City | Population | Count Raw |
Total Crime / 100k People |
Property Crime / 100k People |
Violent Crime / 100k People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 76,547 | 909 | 1,187.5 | 1,021.6 | 165.9 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 73,335 | 1,378 | 1,879.0 | 1,714.1 | 165.0 |
| Urbandale, IA | 47,119 | 341 | 723.7 | 634.6 | 89.1 |
| Waukee, IA | 34,520 | 270 | 782.2 | 640.2 | 141.9 |
| Johnston, IA | 24,819 | 205 | 826.0 | 749.4 | 76.6 |
| Altoona, IA | 22,422 | 483 | 2,154.1 | 2,011.4 | 142.7 |
| Clive, IA | 19,124 | 263 | 1,375.2 | 1,166.1 | 209.2 |
| Norwalk, IA | 15,588 | 45 | 288.7 | 179.6 | 109.1 |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 10,153 | 232 | 2,285.0 | 2,097.9 | 187.1 |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 5,011 | 242 | 4,829.4 | 4,609.9 | 219.5 |





