Is Des Moines or Fort Dodge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Fort Dodge (Safety Score 10/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100,000 versus 4,257 for Fort Dodge — 10% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 34% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Fort Dodge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 4,256.8 | -425.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 1,061.1 | -356.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 4.1 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 151.0 | -99.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 53.1 | +22.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 853.0 | -280.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 3,195.7 | -69.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 416.3 | +46.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 2,465.1 | -323.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 314.3 | +207.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Fort Dodge safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100K vs 4,257 for Fort Dodge — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Fort Dodge has 1,061.1. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Dodge, a city in Webster County, Iowa, sits on the Des Moines River. Historically a gypsum mining hub, it boasts a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 24,502, Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4,256.8 per 100,000 residents.