Welcome to crime data report for Des Moines, Iowa, an area with a population of 514,654 residents. In this data exploration, we will delve into the crime statistics of Des Moines, Iowa shedding light on its safety and security. The closest law enforcement agency from Des Moines is Polk County Sheriff's Office (IA0770000) approximately around 1.29 miles away from the center of Des Moines.
This analysis uses the latest crime data submitted by Polk County Sheriff's Office to the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
In this report we cover a lot of depth of crime in Des Moines. It's broken down as follows:
Total Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
A comprehensive overview of the overall crime landscape, covering a range of different criminal activities within a specific region.
Chart of Total Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The crime rate in Des Moines demonstrated a decreasing trend, reaching its peak in 2012 (1726.34) and then reaching its lowest level in 2021 (165.78). In Iowa, the crime rate displayed a decline in, peaking in 2012 (2759.73) and bottoming out in 2021 (1815.41). In United States, the crime rate exhibited a declining trend, reaching its highest point in 2013 (3519.17) and then hitting its lowest point in 2021 (1689.67).
Des Moines outperformed the state average in total crime rate, showing a -58.13% difference (950.67 vs 2270.75). A -67.36% lower total crime rate compared to the national average (950.67 vs 2912.43) highlights positive community efforts.
Violent Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Insights into intense and forceful criminal acts, including assault, robbery, homicide, and rape, shedding light on the most serious offenses.
Chart of Violent Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The crime rate in Des Moines displayed a downward trajectory in trend, reaching its peak in 2020 (217.48) and subsequently hitting a trough in 2013 (138.01). The trend in Iowa exhibited an upward pattern, with the lowest point occurring in 2018 (256.6) and the peak reached in 2020 (304.21). The crime rate in United States displayed a downward trajectory in trend, reaching its peak in 2016 (446.76) and subsequently hitting a trough in 2021 (281.24).
Des Moines boasted a -33.0% lower violent crime rate than the state average (188.84 vs 281.84). With a -53.48% lower violent crime rate than the national average (188.84 vs 405.94), Des Moines demonstrated commendable local safety.
Assault Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Focusing on instances of physical confrontation, assault crimes highlight cases of intentional harm and physical aggression.
Chart of Assault Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
In Des Moines followed an upward trend, with the lowest point observed in 2013 (118.6) and the highest point recorded in 2020 (190.3). In Iowa, the crime rate displayed an increase, bottoming out in 2018 (191.29) and peaking in 2020(230.26). The trend in United States followed a decreasing pattern, with the peak occurring in 2020 (284.72) and the lowest point observed in 2021 (202.59).
The assault crime was -30.78% less prevalent in Des Moines compared to the state average (144.26 vs 208.42). A -44.75% lower assault crime rate compared to the national average (144.26 vs 261.13) highlights positive community efforts.
Robbery Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Delving into theft and extortion involving direct force or threat, robbery crimes capture incidents of heightened criminal activity.
Chart of Robbery Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The trend in Des Moines followed a decreasing pattern, with the peak occurring in 2015 (23.27) and the lowest point observed in 2013 (6.47). The trend in Iowa followed a decreasing pattern, with the peak occurring in 2017 (39.82) and the lowest point observed in 2021 (22.87). The trend in United States exhibited a declining pattern, with the peak occurring in 2013 (124.15) and the bottom point reached in 2021 (41.86).
The robbery crime was -47.41% less prevalent in Des Moines compared to the state average (16.76 vs 31.88). The robbery crime was -83.1% less prevalent in Des Moines compared to the national average (16.76 vs 99.17).
Homicide Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
An exploration of the gravest crime - intentional killings or unlawful deaths - homicide data provides crucial insights into these tragic events.
Chart of Homicide Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The crime rate in Des Moines demonstrated a decreasing trend, reaching its peak in 2017 (7.75) and then reaching its lowest level in 2012 (0.0). In Iowa, the trend exhibited an increasing pattern, reaching its lowest point in 2013 (1.43) and then peaking in 2020 (3.61). In United States, there was a noticeable increase in trend, with the lowest recorded in 2014 (4.94) and the highest observed in 2020 (6.61).
The state average was surpassed by Des Moines in terms of homicide crime rate, showing a 10.42% difference (2.54 vs 2.3). The rate of homicide crime was -53.09% lower than the national average (2.54 vs 5.42).
Rape Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Addressing non-consensual and deeply violating sexual offenses, rape crime statistics offer a glimpse into a distressing but vital aspect of criminal behavior.
Chart of Rape Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
In Des Moines, the crime rate displayed a decline in, peaking in 2017 (46.5) and bottoming out in 2020 (1.81). In Iowa, the trend exhibited an increasing pattern, reaching its lowest point in 2013 (36.42) and then peaking in 2021 (111.54). In United States, the trend exhibited an increasing pattern, reaching its lowest point in 2015 (42.64) and then peaking in 2019 (81.18).
A -68.15% lower rape crime rate in Des Moines compared to the state average (23.16 vs 72.72) highlights positive community efforts. The rate of rape crime was -63.0% lower than the national average (23.16 vs 62.61).
Property Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Encompassing various crimes against property, such as theft, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson, this data highlights incidents of possession-related offenses.
Chart of Property Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
In Des Moines, there was a notable decrease in trend, with the highest recorded in 2012 (1726.34) and the lowest observed in 2015 (1271.2). The crime rate in Iowa displayed a downward trajectory in trend, reaching its peak in 2012 (2475.53) and subsequently hitting a trough in 2021 (1527.98). In United States, there was a notable decrease in trend, with the highest recorded in 2013 (3094.35) and the lowest observed in 2021 (1408.44).
The incidence of property crime in Des Moines was -27.58% below the state average (1440.44 vs 1988.9). Des Moines boasted a -42.53% lower property crime rate than the national average (1440.44 vs 2506.49).
Larceny Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Unveiling instances of theft without the use of force, larceny crime information brings attention to the unlawful acquisition of personal belongings.
Chart of Larceny Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
In Des Moines, the crime rate exhibited a declining trend, reaching its highest point in 2012 (1052.37) and then hitting its lowest point in 2017 (687.76). In Iowa, there was a notable decrease in trend, with the highest recorded in 2012 (1725.22) and the lowest observed in 2021 (1070.38). In United States, there was a notable decrease in trend, with the highest recorded in 2013 (2151.47) and the lowest observed in 2021 (999.47).
In Des Moines, the rate of larceny crime was -39.79% lower than the state average (833.32 vs 1384.13). The incidence of larceny crime was -53.14% below the national average (833.32 vs 1778.41).
Burglary Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Exploring unauthorized entries into structures with criminal intent, burglary crime data reveals the challenges posed by break-ins and property violations.
Chart of Burglary Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The trend in Des Moines exhibited a declining pattern, with the peak occurring in 2012 (532.9) and the bottom point reached in 2021 (329.88). In Iowa, the crime rate exhibited a declining trend, reaching its highest point in 2012 (608.15) and then hitting its lowest point in 2021 (265.2). The trend in United States exhibited a declining pattern, with the peak occurring in 2012 (717.66) and the bottom point reached in 2021 (214.24).
With a -7.36% lower burglary crime rate than the state average (411.14 vs 443.83), Des Moines demonstrated commendable safety. The rate of burglary crime was -14.83% lower than the national average (411.14 vs 482.75).
Motor Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
A look into crimes tied to motor vehicles, such as theft and unauthorized use, offering insights into the illicit utilization of automobiles.
Chart of Motor Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
In Des Moines, the trend exhibited an increasing pattern, reaching its lowest point in 2012 (141.06) and then peaking in 2019 (254.53). In Iowa, the crime rate displayed an increase, bottoming out in 2014 (136.58) and peaking in 2020(197.82). The trend in United States exhibited a declining pattern, with the peak occurring in 2016 (268.84) and the bottom point reached in 2021 (194.73).
In Des Moines, the motor crime rate was 21.76% higher than the state average (195.98 vs 160.95). A -20.12% lower motor crime rate compared to the national average (195.98 vs 245.33) highlights positive community efforts.
Arson Crime in Des Moines, Iowa
Examining the intentional act of setting fire to property, arson crime statistics shed light on a destructive and dangerous form of criminal behavior.
Chart of Arson Crime in Des Moines, Iowa from 2012 to 2022
The trend in Des Moines exhibited a declining pattern, with the peak occurring in 2020 (16.31) and the bottom point reached in 2014 (4.25). The crime rate in Iowa demonstrated a decreasing trend, reaching its peak in 2012 (20.06) and then reaching its lowest level in 2021 (10.96). In United States, the crime rate displayed a decline in, peaking in 2012 (17.95) and bottoming out in 2021 (9.17).
With a -31.59% lower arson crime rate than the state average (9.27 vs 13.55), Des Moines demonstrated commendable safety. The arson crime was -35.31% less problematic compared to the national average (9.27 vs 14.33).
