Governors Square Neighborhood, Des Moines
Crime Rate & Statistics
Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average
Safety at a Glance
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in Des Moines
Is Governors Square Safe?
Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. Governors Square in Des Moines, IA has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 191, which is 91% above the national average of 100.
Compared to the Des Moines average (crime index 128), Governors Square is 63% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, rape is the most elevated concern (index: 190, 90% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 131).
Governors Square Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Des Moines city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
187 | +87% | High | |
|
Assault
|
186 | +86% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
163 | +63% | High | |
|
Rape
|
190 | +90% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
171 | +71% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
190 | +90% | High | |
How Governors Square Compares
Crime index by category: Governors Square vs Des Moines average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Governors Square Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Governors Square Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Governors Square, Des Moines?
Governors Square in Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 191, which is 91% above the national average. Compared to the Des Moines average, crime in Governors Square is 63% higher.
Is Governors Square a safe neighborhood in Des Moines?
Governors Square has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Rape (index: 190), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 131).
How does Governors Square compare to the rest of Des Moines?
Governors Square's overall crime index is 191, compared to the Des Moines average of 128. This means crime in Governors Square is 63% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 182, and for property crime it is 164. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Governors Square?
The most prevalent crime type in Governors Square is Rape, with a crime index of 190 (90% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.
What are safer neighborhoods near Governors Square?
Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Capitol East, Capitol Park, McKinley School / Columbus Park and Fairground. These areas are close to Governors Square and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.
What are the demographics of Governors Square?
Governors Square has a population of approximately 10. The median household income is $30,921. The median home value is $129,462. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Governors Square crime compare to the national average?
Governors Square's overall crime rate is 91% above the national average (index 191 vs 100). For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.