Is Des Moines, IA Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Des Moines, Iowa reported 528.09 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.30 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 298.53 per 100,000 above that reference, with 1,122 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Des Moines, Iowa reported 438.19 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.27 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 245.19 per 100,000 above that reference, with 931 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Des Moines, Iowa reported 388.30 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.06 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 200.15 per 100,000 above that reference, with 825 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Des Moines, Iowa reported 2,003.63 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.81 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 896.66 per 100,000 above that reference, with 4,257 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Des Moines, Iowa reported 64.95 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.35 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 16.71 per 100,000 above that reference, with 138 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Des Moines, IA has an adjusted safety score of 26.25 out of 100. It ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Iowa. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as stable.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the Iowa workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 138 | 64.95 | 48.24 |
1.35× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 1122 | 528.09 | 229.56 |
2.3× national |
| Burglary | 825 | 388.3 | 188.15 |
2.06× national |
| Larceny-theft | 4257 | 2003.63 | 1106.97 |
1.81× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 931 | 438.19 | 193.0 |
2.27× national |
Comparing Des Moines to somewhere else? Take the file with you.
What drives Des Moines's safety score?
Des Moines ranks in the middle half of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Iowa, ahead of approximately 33% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 212,464 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Personal Safety at 35.53, while Property Security is lowest at 8.74. The 26.79-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Aggravated Assault is highest relative to its national reference at 528.09 per 100,000 (2.3× the national rate). Robbery is lowest on the same relative basis at 64.95 per 100,000 (1.35× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Des Moines, Iowa recorded 4,257 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 58.5% of the 7,273 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 138 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Des Moines, Iowa recorded 1,122 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 15.4% of the 7,273 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 138 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Des Moines, Iowa recorded 931 motor vehicle theft offenses in 2025, 12.8% of the 7,273 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 138 robbery reports (1.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Des Moines, Iowa uses a reporting population of 212,464 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Des Moines, Iowa has an adjusted score of 26.25 points out of 100 versus 49.58 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a difference of 23.33 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Des Moines ranks 2 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Des Moines, Iowa has an adjusted score of 26.25 points out of 100 versus 18.8 in Davenport, Iowa, a difference of 7.45 points above that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Des Moines ranks 2 of 3 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines safe compared to other places in Iowa?
Des Moines is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 26.25 out of 100 and ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Iowa.
What is the crime rate in Des Moines?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Des Moines's safety rating?
Des Moines's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 26.25 out of 100, which ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 3 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Iowa. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as stable, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Des Moines?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Des Moines?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.