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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, West Des Moines, IA has a Safety Score of 44/100 — higher crime than 56% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,667 of 2,971 US cities and #22 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Des Moines, Iowa Safe?
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County.
West Des Moines has a safety score of 44/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
West Des Moines ranks #22 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #1667 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 44th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 56% of US cities.
Year over year, West Des Moines's total crime rate decreased by 20.7%, with violent crime declining 5.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
West Des Moines Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 121 | 165.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 16 | 21.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 12.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 96 | 130.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,257 | 1,714.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 84 | 114.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,079 | 1,471.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 94 | 128.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
West Des Moines vs Iowa Average
How does West Des Moines's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | West Des Moines | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 165.0 | 350.8 | -53.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,714.1 | 2,046.4 | -16.2% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,879.1 | 2,397.2 | -21.6% |
West Des Moines Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Des Moines, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 73,334 | 1,879.1 | 165.0 | 1,714.1 |
| 2023 | 71,673 | 2,370.5 | 174.4 | 2,196.1 |
| 2022 | 70,700 | 1,977.4 | 253.2 | 1,724.2 |
| 2021 | 70,413 | 1,735.5 | 139.2 | 1,596.3 |
| 2020 | 69,251 | 1,852.7 | 143.0 | 1,709.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Des Moines, Iowa safe?
West Des Moines has a safety score of 44/100, meaning it has less crime than about 44% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Des Moines is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in West Des Moines, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, West Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 165.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,714.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does West Des Moines compare to the national average?
West Des Moines's total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 73,334 residents.
What types of crime are most common in West Des Moines?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Des Moines include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is West Des Moines safe to visit?
Like any city, West Des Moines has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 44/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.