| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Des Moines/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 997 | n/a (estimate) | 3,146 | 2,793 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 28.4 | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 33 | n/a | 104.1 | 67.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 51 | n/a | 160.9 | 217.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 94 | n/a (estimate) | 297 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 68 | n/a | 214.6 | 398.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 611 | n/a | 1,927.8 | 1,634.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 224 | n/a | 706.8 | 433.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 903 | n/a (estimate) | 2,849 | 2,467 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Des Moines crime rate is higher than the national average by 48.4%. Specifically, there were 94 violent crimes in Des Moines, equivalent to 297 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 17.4%. Furthermore, Des Moines recorded 903 property crimes, amounting to 2849 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 61.9%.
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 224 vehicle thefts, amounting to 707 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 142.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Des Moines residents. Out of the respondents (37 in total), 49% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Des Moines were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 51% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Des Moines, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Des Moines presents a total crime rate that is 48% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Des Moines experiences an average of 2.73 daily crimes, comprising 0.26 violent incidents and 2.47 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime rates in Des Moines has decreased by 22.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Des Moines is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 13%, while property crime has decreased by 23.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Des Moines.
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 7.5%, while the national average is 15.1%.
In Des Moines, 81.1% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
Des Moines has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 1.37 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
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 | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 42 | 8,169 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Washington /100K | National /100K |
| Washington | 6,688 | 107 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dash Point, WA | 1,045 | 46 | 346 | 392 |
| Black Diamond, WA | 4,811 | 27 | 396 | 423 |
| Shadow Lake, WA | 2,445 | 51 | 387 | 438 |
| Canterwood, WA | 3,134 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Maple Heights-Lake Desire, WA | 3,651 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Lake Holm, WA | 3,461 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Fox Island, WA | 3,695 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Des Moines, WA | 32,691 | 297 | 2,849 | 3,146 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Bangor, ME | 32,703 | 161 | 4,238 | 4,399 |
| Bowling Green, OH | 32,672 | 69 | 958 | 1,027 |
| Juneau, AK | 32,746 | 538 | 2,069 | 2,607 |
| Midlothian, TX | 32,750 | 120 | 959 | 1,078 |
| Wheat Ridge, CO | 32,757 | 481 | 4,466 | 4,947 |
| Des Moines, WA | 32,691 | 297 | 2,849 | 3,146 |
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