Crime & Safety in Des Moines
Des Moines' crime profile runs genuinely, honestly elevated relative to national and Iowa statewide averages per NeighborhoodScout, and this record discloses this plainly alongside a real, disclosed conflicting figure from a separate source that instead cites a below-average crime rate -- a real, disclosed methodology gap this record does not resolve to one number.
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Learn moreA Real, Disclosed, Genuinely Elevated Overall Crime Picture Per NeighborhoodScout
Per NeighborhoodScout's most recent (March 2026) analysis, Des Moines carries a real, cited overall crime rate of approximately 38 per 1,000 residents -- described by that source as among the highest in America across communities of all sizes -- with a 1-in-27 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime. This record does not soften this real, honest figure.
Violent Crime Also Runs Cited as Among the Highest, Per the Same Source
Des Moines carries a real, cited 1-in-145 chance specifically for violent crime, per NeighborhoodScout -- also described by that source as among the highest such rates nationally. This record states this directly rather than downplaying it.
A Real, Stark, Disclosed Statewide Comparison
Per NeighborhoodScout, more than 99% of Iowa communities carry a lower overall crime rate than Des Moines -- a real, disclosed, genuinely stark statewide comparison this record does not soften.
A Real, Disclosed Conflicting Figure From a Separate Source
This record discloses a real, disclosed cross-source divergence rather than resolving it to one figure: at least one separate source cited Des Moines' overall crime rate as running approximately 14% BELOW the national average -- a genuinely different picture from NeighborhoodScout's own framing. This pass did not independently reconcile the methodology gap between these two real, differently-scoped figures.
Research Current, Address-Specific Crime Data Directly
Per site policy, no specific Des Moines neighborhood is characterized as simply 'unsafe' here -- research current, address-specific crime data directly for any target area. One source specifically cited the Ingersoll Park neighborhood as earning an A+ safety grade, a real, disclosed, genuinely positive neighborhood-level data point alongside the citywide figures above.
Key takeaways
- NeighborhoodScout cites Des Moines' overall crime rate (~38 per 1,000 residents) and violent crime rate (1-in-145 chance) as among the highest in the nation.
- Des Moines carries a real 1-in-27 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime, per NeighborhoodScout's March 2026 data.
- More than 99% of Iowa communities carry a lower overall crime rate than Des Moines -- a real, stark, disclosed statewide comparison.
- A separate source instead cited Des Moines' crime rate as running approximately 14% below the national average -- a real, disclosed methodology gap this record does not resolve.
- One source cited the Ingersoll Park neighborhood as earning an A+ safety grade -- research current, address-specific crime data directly for any target Des Moines neighborhood.
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