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D+

Is Des Moines, Washington Safe?

Population 33,032 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Des Moines has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D+ safety grade reflects a violent crime rate below the national average and an overall rate of 254.8 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,758 per 100K.

Des Moines Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDes MoinesWashington AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate236.9318.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2311.12054.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1758.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate458.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

254.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

237/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2311/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Des Moines

Violent crime in Des Moines is below the national average. The rate of 236.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2311.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,758 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Des Moines Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery58
092% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary392
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,758
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft458
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Des Moines Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Des Moines
236.9
State
318.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Des Moines
2311.1
State
2054.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Des Moines Safety

Is Des Moines safe?
Not especially. Des Moines earns a D+ with a crime rate of 254.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Des Moines?
254.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 236.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2311.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Des Moines safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Des Moines's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,758 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Des Moines?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Des Moines generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Des Moines police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Des Moines?
Crime rates have held steady in Des Moines, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Des Moines compare to other cities in Washington?
Below average for the state. Des Moines ranks behind about 84% of Washington cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Des Moines to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Des Moines?
Bad. A D+ grade and 254.8 per-thousand rate put Des Moines below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 237 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Des Moines?
236.9 per 100,000, which is 35% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (58), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Washington 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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