Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Des Moines, WA has a Safety Score of 17/100 — higher crime than 83% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,145.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,447 of 2,957 US cities and #55 of 87 in Washington.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Des Moines, WA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Des Moines, Washington Safe?
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population.
Des Moines has a safety score of 17/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,145.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Des Moines ranks #55 out of 87 cities in Washington and #2447 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 17th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 83% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Des Moines is motor vehicle theft, at 706.8 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, aggravated assault is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Des Moines's total crime rate decreased by 18%, with violent crime declining 5.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 94 | 296.6 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 1 | 3.2 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 9 | 28.4 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 33 | 104.1 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 51 | 160.9 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 903 | 2,849.1 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 68 | 214.6 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 611 | 1,927.8 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 224 | 706.8 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Des Moines vs Washington Average
How does Des Moines's crime rate compare to the Washington state average?
| Metric | Des Moines | Washington Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 439.5 | -32.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 3,428.6 | -16.9% |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 4.7 | -33.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 3,868.1 | -18.7% |
Des Moines Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Des Moines, Washington.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,694 | 3,145.7 | 296.6 | 2,849.1 |
| 2023 | 32,180 | 3,834.7 | 313.9 | 3,520.8 |
| 2022 | 32,541 | 3,804.4 | 310.4 | 3,494.1 |
| 2021 | 32,664 | 3,970.7 | 358.2 | 3,612.5 |
| 2020 | 32,652 | 3,892.6 | 343.0 | 3,549.6 |
| 2019 | 32,708 | 3,341.7 | 262.9 | 3,078.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines, Washington safe?
Des Moines has a safety score of 17/100, meaning it has less crime than about 17% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,145.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Des Moines is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Des Moines, Washington?
According to FBI data for 2024, Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,849.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Des Moines compare to the national average?
Des Moines's total crime rate of 3,145.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 31,694 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Des Moines?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Des Moines are larceny-theft (611 reported incidents) and motor vehicle theft (224 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 9.6x in the city.
Is Des Moines safe to visit?
Like any city, Des Moines has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 17/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.