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Crime rate in West Des Moines, Iowa (IA): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map


City-Data.com crime index in West Des Moines, IA compared to other U.S. cities

Crime rate in West Des Moines, IA

The 2022 crime rate in West Des Moines, IA is 146 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.7 times lower than the U.S. average. It was higher than in 63.5% U.S. cities. The 2022 West Des Moines crime rate rose by 8% compared to 2021. In the last 5 years West Des Moines has seen increasing violent crime and increasing property crime.
See how dangerous West Des Moines, IA is compared to the nearest cities:
(Note: Higher means more crime)
West Des Moines:

146.2
Clive:

143.8
Windsor Heights:

184.6
Urbandale:

59.8
Waukee:

85.4
Des Moines:

61.1
Johnston:

66.8
Norwalk:

34.7
Van Meter:

87.6
City-Data.com crime index
Crime rates in West Des Moines by year

Type

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022
Murders
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(1.8)		0
(0.0)		1
(1.7)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(1.5)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		4
(5.9)		1
(1.4)		0
(0.0)		1
(1.4)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		19
(33.7)		23
(40.6)		26
(45.7)		16
(27.5)		17
(28.3)		17
(27.3)		21
(32.3)		24
(36.6)		2
(3.0)		2
(3.0)		24
(35.3)		32
(46.2)		26
(36.9)		16
(22.6)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		6
(10.6)		11
(19.4)		13
(22.8)		8
(13.8)		12
(20.0)		15
(24.1)		16
(24.6)		19
(28.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		13
(19.1)		7
(10.1)		17
(24.1)		20
(28.3)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		50
(88.7)		76
(134.3)		75
(131.8)		71
(122.1)		61
(101.6)		84
(134.7)		92
(141.5)		105
(160.0)		15
(22.7)		0
(0.0)		67
(98.6)		58
(83.8)		63
(89.5)		139
(196.6)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		201
(356.4)		173
(305.6)		226
(397.2)		214
(368.1)		207
(344.6)		136
(218.1)		175
(269.2)		147
(224.0)		11
(16.7)		0
(0.0)		158
(232.4)		136
(196.4)		152
(215.9)		86
(121.6)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		1,564
(2,773)		1,523
(2,690)		1,580
(2,777)		1,580
(2,718)		1,378
(2,294)		1,376
(2,207)		1,228
(1,889)		1,296
(1,975)		104
(157.7)		0
(0.0)		1,142
(1,680)		928
(1,340)		991
(1,407)		1,040
(1,471)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		40
(70.9)		47
(83.0)		35
(61.5)		50
(86.0)		76
(126.5)		66
(105.8)		61
(93.8)		70
(106.7)		4
(6.1)		0
(0.0)		84
(123.6)		119
(171.8)		87
(123.6)		89
(125.9)
Arson
(per 100,000)		9
(16.0)		26
(45.9)		10
(17.6)		6
(10.3)		3
(5.0)		3
(4.8)		2
(3.1)		7
(10.7)		1
(1.5)		0
(0.0)		1
(1.5)		6
(8.7)		5
(7.1)		4
(5.7)
City-Data.com crime index189.4200.8217.1191.9178.3168.0163.4176.214.92.4158.8140.7136.0146.2

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 246.1. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

- means the value is smaller than the state average.
- means the value is about the same as the state average.
- means the value is bigger than the state average.



According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there were 59 registered sex offenders living in West Des Moines, Iowa as of May 15, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in West Des Moines is 1,078 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.



Violent crime rate in 2022
West Des Moines:

137.9
U.S. Average:

219.8

Violent crime rate in 2021
West Des Moines:

93.7
U.S. Average:

224.8

Violent crime rate in 2020
West Des Moines:

96.0
U.S. Average:

228.2

Violent crime rate in 2019
West Des Moines:

105.9
U.S. Average:

219.9

Violent crime rate in 2018
West Des Moines:

3.0
U.S. Average:

221.2

Violent crime rate in 2017
West Des Moines:

14.4
U.S. Average:

226.2

Violent crime rate in 2016
West Des Moines:

134.1
U.S. Average:

227.3

Violent crime rate in 2015
West Des Moines:

115.4
U.S. Average:

219.3

Violent crime rate in 2014
West Des Moines:

106.6
U.S. Average:

211.1

Violent crime rate in 2013
West Des Moines:

92.4
U.S. Average:

214.2

Violent crime rate in 2012
West Des Moines:

95.5
U.S. Average:

187.4

Violent crime rate in 2011
West Des Moines:

126.5
U.S. Average:

187.1

Violent crime rate in 2010
West Des Moines:

117.5
U.S. Average:

195.7

Violent crime rate in 2009
West Des Moines:

83.3
U.S. Average:

208.9

Violent crime rate in 2008
West Des Moines:

139.0
U.S. Average:

222.5

Violent crime rate in 2007
West Des Moines:

96.5
U.S. Average:

229.1

Violent crime rate in 2006
West Des Moines:

104.4
U.S. Average:

232.6

Violent crime rate in 2005
West Des Moines:

92.8
U.S. Average:

227.0

Property crime rate in 2022
West Des Moines:

116.8
U.S. Average:

166.5

Property crime rate in 2021
West Des Moines:

132.1
U.S. Average:

157.8

Property crime rate in 2020
West Des Moines:

132.1
U.S. Average:

169.6

Property crime rate in 2019
West Des Moines:

149.0
U.S. Average:

179.7

Property crime rate in 2018
West Des Moines:

0.0
U.S. Average:

190.2

Property crime rate in 2017
West Des Moines:

12.1
U.S. Average:

206.4

Property crime rate in 2016
West Des Moines:

159.5
U.S. Average:

216.6

Property crime rate in 2015
West Des Moines:

162.4
U.S. Average:

221.5

Property crime rate in 2014
West Des Moines:

169.8
U.S. Average:

230.8

Property crime rate in 2013
West Des Moines:

202.6
U.S. Average:

250.4

Property crime rate in 2012
West Des Moines:

222.4
U.S. Average:

267.3

Property crime rate in 2011
West Des Moines:

227.5
U.S. Average:

273.5

Property crime rate in 2010
West Des Moines:

208.1
U.S. Average:

276.4

Property crime rate in 2009
West Des Moines:

220.6
U.S. Average:

285.6

Property crime rate in 2008
West Des Moines:

227.4
U.S. Average:

302.2

Property crime rate in 2007
West Des Moines:

201.6
U.S. Average:

309.2

Property crime rate in 2006
West Des Moines:

239.6
U.S. Average:

317.3

Property crime rate in 2005
West Des Moines:

253.2
U.S. Average:

322.3
Murders per 100,000 population
Rapes per 100,000 population
Robberies per 100,000 population
Assaults per 100,000 population
Burglaries per 100,000 population
Thefts per 100,000 population
Auto thefts per 100,000 population
Arson per 100,000 population

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2021, including police officers: 101 (89 officers - 80 male; 9 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.26
Iowa average:

1.76

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2020, including police officers: 102 (89 officers - 80 male; 9 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.29
Iowa average:

1.76

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2019, including police officers: 98 (86 officers - 78 male; 8 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.27
Iowa average:

1.75

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2018, including police officers: 89 (76 officers - 70 male; 6 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.13
Iowa average:

1.74

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2017, including police officers: 82 (69 officers - 64 male; 5 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.05
Iowa average:

1.70

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2016, including police officers: 78 (63 officers - 61 male; 2 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

0.96
Iowa average:

1.69

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2015, including police officers: 83 (65 officers - 62 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.00
Iowa average:

1.69

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2014, including police officers: 77 (63 officers - 60 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.01
Iowa average:

1.70

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2013, including police officers: 80 (66 officers - 63 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.10
Iowa average:

1.71

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2012, including police officers: 77 (62 officers - 60 male; 2 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.07
Iowa average:

1.72

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2011, including police officers: 77 (63 officers - 60 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.11
Iowa average:

1.70

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2010, including police officers: 80 (64 officers - 63 male; 1 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.13
Iowa average:

1.75

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2009, including police officers: 81 (66 officers - 64 male; 2 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.17
Iowa average:

1.77

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2008, including police officers: 78 (65 officers - 62 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.17
Iowa average:

1.74

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2007, including police officers: 78 (63 officers - 59 male; 4 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.15
Iowa average:

1.73

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2006, including police officers: 78 (63 officers - 59 male; 4 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.19
Iowa average:

1.70

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2005, including police officers: 77 (63 officers - 60 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.22
Iowa average:

1.69

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2004, including police officers: 77 (63 officers - 59 male; 4 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.21
Iowa average:

1.68

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2003, including police officers: 76 (61 officers - 55 male; 6 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.22
Iowa average:

1.70

Full-time Law Enforcement Employees in West Des Moines, IA
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Officers
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Civilians

Zip codes: 50265, 50266.

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  1. All Cities
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  5. Crime rate in West Des Moines, Iowa (IA)