Area Safety Data

2024 reported data

Is West Des Moines, IA safe? Property crime data

A direct, source-backed look at reported selected property offenses for West Des Moines using FBI NIBRS and Census population context.

Selected property offense rate 17.12 per 1,000 residents; not a danger score
Population74,081Census 2024 estimate
Selected offenses1,268NIBRS offense records
TrendRoughly stable2021,2022,2023,2024

Home-security checklist for West Des Moines

Start with package-area camera, then decide if a product is worth opening.

Vehicle theft and larceny patterns often make exterior coverage, driveway visibility, and package-area monitoring worth evaluating. This keeps the next click closer to a real buying decision instead of a random Amazon visit.

  • Match the biggest local category: larceny/theft.
  • Check doors, windows, package drop zones, lighting, Wi-Fi, and rental limits.
  • Only open Amazon after the guide fits the home layout.

Open Package-area camera guide View all guides

Entry alerts Door/window alarm setup Best when doors, windows, garage entries, sheds, or rented spaces are the first weak point. Package camera ยท Recommended Package camera setup Best when porch drops, visitor checks, driveway approaches, or vehicle-adjacent visibility matter. No monthly plan No-subscription starter kit Best when you want local alarms, lighting, locks, and cameras before choosing any recurring plan.

Short answer

West Des Moines reported 17.12 selected property offenses per 1,000 residents in 2024

That rate is #20 by highest rate among 71 validated IA city candidates on this site. The largest selected category here is Larceny/theft. Reported selected property-offense rates are roughly stable across 2021-2024.

Compare Iowa cities

Trend

Roughly stable

Reported selected property-offense rates are roughly stable across 2021-2024.

-3.1%
2021
17.67
2022
17.43
2023
21.82
2024
17.12

Offense mix

Burglary
84
Larceny/theft
1,087
Motor vehicle theft
95
Arson
2

State comparison

Compare this page with other validated Iowa candidates. These are city-candidate comparisons, not official statewide rankings.

Higher-rate candidates

Windsor Heights 45.14 / 1,000 Davenport 35.88 / 1,000 Fort Dodge 33.26 / 1,000 Des Moines 31.36 / 1,000

Lower-rate candidates

Sioux Center 0.80 / 1,000 Asbury 0.99 / 1,000 Algona 1.30 / 1,000 Norwalk 1.95 / 1,000

Buyer path

Choose before opening Amazon

Vehicle theft and larceny patterns often make exterior coverage, driveway visibility, and package-area monitoring worth evaluating. The guide pages keep the product buttons and disclosure together after the setup fits your doors, packages, lighting, Wi-Fi, and budget.

Open recommended guide

Buying guide Door and window alarms for renters Compare simple entry alarms for apartments, rented homes, garages, and windows before moving into heavier systems. Buying guide No-subscription home security starter kit Build a basic home-security setup with local alarms, lighting, locks, and cameras without starting with a monthly plan. Buying guide Package theft camera checklist Check porch visibility, driveway angles, storage, Wi-Fi, and evidence needs before buying a camera for package areas. Buying guide Security camera checklist Evaluate exterior visibility, entry coverage, storage needs, and placement before choosing a camera system. Buying guide Smart lock and entry sensor checklist Start with reliable locks, entry sensors, lighting, and backup access before adding convenience features. Buying guide Basic home-security checklist A balanced setup can cover entries, packages, motion, lighting, and alerts without overbuying.

Quick questions

Short answers help visitors and search systems understand the page without turning the data into a fear claim.

Is West Des Moines, IA safe?

This page cannot tell you whether West Des Moines is personally safe for you. It shows 2024 reported selected property-offense data: 17.12 offenses per 1,000 residents, with FBI NIBRS and Census source notes.

What property crime category is largest in West Des Moines?

The largest selected category in this page is Larceny/theft, based on the visible burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson breakdown.

How does West Des Moines compare with other validated IA city candidates?

Among 71 validated IA city candidates, West Des Moines ranks #20 by highest selected property-offense rate. The median candidate rate on this state hub is 10.39 per 1,000 residents.

What should I check before buying home-security gear?

Start with the local pattern, your home layout, entry points, lighting, package areas, and whether a package-area camera checklist fits better than a full monitored system.