Understanding the safety of a community is of utmost importance, whether you are considering relocation, permanent or temporary residence, work, or even just a visit. Here, we will delve deep into the crime data of Des Moines, shedding light on the city’s crime rate and providing valuable insights to assist you in making informed decisions.
Des Moines, like any other city in Washington, experiences various types of criminal activities. In order to gain a better understanding of the city’s crime landscape, it is helpful to categorize the offenses into three main categories: Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, and Other Crimes.
Total number of crimes in Des Moines, WA. This information may differ from what we’ll discuss below¹.
Is Des Moines Safe? Crimes Breakdown
| Violent | Property | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 109 | 1,572 | 46 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.34 | 48.13 | 1.41 |
Based on NIBRS data², there are approximately 19 different types of crimes recorded in Des Moines. These crimes vary in severity, with some considered less serious, such as simple assaults, forgery, and ATM fraud, while others are treated with utmost seriousness, including murder and rape. In our analysis, we have focused on the most significant crimes, particularly those that have a direct impact on people’s safety and lives.
Des Moines’s Violent Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
Des Moines has a lower violent crime rate compared to both Washington and the national average. In Des Moines, the rate of violent crimes is 3.34 incidents per 1000 residents, while in Washington it is 3.54 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 4 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Violent Crime Rates: Des Moines vs. National Average
Examining the violent crime rates in Des Moines compared to the national average enables us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the percentage variance for each specific crime. By conducting this analysis, we can effectively gauge the relative levels of safety and security in Des Moines in relation to the broader national landscape.
Des Moines’s Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 2 | 11 | 57 | 37 | 2 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.06 | 0.34 | 1.75 | 1.13 | 0.06 |
| Population | 32,664 | ||||
United States Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 23,195 | 145,750 | 939,092 | 207,616 | 36,890 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.07 | 0.44 | 2.83 | 0.63 | 0.11 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||
Insights into Violent Crimes in Des Moines
- Des Moines’s murder crime rate is 0.06, which is lower than the national average of 0.07 by 14%.
- On the other hand, the rape crime rate is 0.34, which is lower than the national average of 0.44 by 23%.
- The assault crime rate of the city stands at 1.75, which is lower than the national average of 2.83 by 38%.
- Robbery is a concern in Des Moines, with a crime rate of 1.13, which is higher than the national average of 0.63 by 79%.
- The city’s kidnapping crime rate is 0.06, which is lower than the national average of 0.11 by 45%.
Des Moines’s Property Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
Des Moines has a higher property crime rate compared to both Washington and the national average. In Des Moines, the rate of property crimes is 48.11 incidents per 1000 residents, while in Washington it is 42.31 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 20 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Property Crime Rates: Des Moines vs. National Average
Similar to our examination of violent crime rates, analyzing the property crime rates in Des Moines compared to the national average provides us with valuable insights into the percentage variances for each specific property-related offense.
Des Moines’s Property Crime Rate Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 131 | 6 | 332 | 0 | 796 | 268 | 39 |
| Rate per 1000 | 4.01 | 0.18 | 10.16 | 0 | 24.37 | 8.2 | 1.19 |
| Population | 32,664 | ||||||
United States Property Crimes Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 898,487 | 27,917 | 1,307,229 | 12,270 | 4,630,773 | 888,618 | 187,853 |
| Rate per 1000 | 2.72 | 0.08 | 3.94 | 0.04 | 13.95 | 2.68 | 0.87 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||||
Insights into Property Crimes in Des Moines
- Des Moines experiences a burglary crime rate of 4.01, which is higher than the national average of 2.72 by 47%.
- The arson crime rate is 0.18, which is significantly higher than the national average of 0.08 by 125%.
- Vandalism is a significant concern in Des Moines, with a crime rate of 10.16, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.94 by 158%.
- There are no blackmail crimes reported.
- Theft is another area of focus, with a crime rate of 24.37 in Des Moines, which is higher than the national average of 13.95 by 75%.
- On the other hand, motor vehicle theft in the city has a rate of 8.2, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.68 by 206%.
- Des Moines faces a higher rate of identity theft, with a crime rate of 1.19, which is 37% higher than the national average of 0.87.
Des Moines’s Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 20 | 21 | 0 | 5 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.61 | 0.64 | 0 | 0.15 |
| Population | 32,664 | |||
United States Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 1,290,858 | 267,955 | 11,565 | 16,497 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.89 | 0.81 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | |||
Insights into Other Crimes in Des Moines
- Drug offenses are not a significant concern in Des Moines, with a rate of 0.61, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.89 by 84%.
- Weapon law violations are another area of focus. The city’s weapon law violations rate is 0.64, which is lower than the national average of 0.81 by 21%.
Conclusion
When examining the crime rates of Des Moines, it is evident that the city’s violent crime landscape presents certain challenges. Challenges arise from specific crimes that exceed the national average, such as robbery. Similarly, in the realm of property crimes, challenges arise from specific offenses surpassing the national average. These include burglary crimes arson crimes vandalism incidents theft incidents vehicle theft incidents identity theft incidents.
Explore cities like Ephrata, WA, which have a similar violent crime rate to Des Moines. Also, explore places with a similar property crime rate like Kennewick, WA.
¹For this analysis, we will focus on the more significant ones that directly affect people’s safety and well-being, rather than delving into less critical offenses like simple assaults, ATM frauds, and forgery.
²The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) aims to enhance the quality of crime data collected by law enforcement agencies. It accomplishes this by capturing comprehensive details for each crime incident, including information about victims, known offenders, relationships between victims and offenders, arrestees, and the property involved in the crimes.