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C-

Is West Des Moines, Iowa Safe?

Population 74,224 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

West Des Moines earns a C- safety grade with 237.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs above the national average, putting the city behind 74% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,506 per 100K.

West Des Moines Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWest Des MoinesIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate426.4332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1945.62075.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate254.0--268.2
Theft Rate1506.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate456.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

237.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

426/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1946/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for West Des Moines

Violent crime in West Des Moines is above the national average. The rate of 426.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1945.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,506 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

West Des Moines Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault254
095% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery106
01.7x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary232
086% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,506
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft456
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How West Des Moines Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Des Moines
426.4
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Des Moines
1945.6
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About West Des Moines Safety

Is West Des Moines safe?
Not especially. West Des Moines earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in West Des Moines?
237.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 426.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1945.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is West Des Moines safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. West Des Moines's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,506 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in West Des Moines?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in West Des Moines generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the West Des Moines police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in West Des Moines?
No. Crime in West Des Moines has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does West Des Moines compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. West Des Moines ranks behind about 66% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is West Des Moines to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in West Des Moines?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.2 per-thousand rate put West Des Moines below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 426 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in West Des Moines?
426.4 per 100,000, which is 17% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (254), robbery (106), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Iowa city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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