Gray's Lake Neighborhood, Des Moines

Last updated: November 10, 2026

Crime Rate & Statistics

Very safe neighborhood — well below-average crime rates

Safer than 75% of neighborhoods in Des Moines

Summary: Gray's Lake, Des Moines Crime Rate (2026)

Gray's Lake, Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 25% above the national average.

Data source: FBI UCR & local law enforcement data. Last updated: November 10, 2026.

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Moderate

Low 125 / 300 High

Violent Crime 117

17% above national avg

Property Crime 121

21% above national avg

City Ranking

75%

safer than other

Des Moines neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Des Moines

Is Gray's Lake Safe?

Mixed — the grade is relative to other neighborhoods, but crime is above the national average. Gray's Lake in Des Moines, IA has a safety grade of A. The overall crime index is 125, which is 25% above the national average of 100. Gray's Lake is safer than 75% of neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Compared to the Des Moines average (crime index 128), Gray's Lake is 3% lower in overall crime. Crime levels here are roughly in line with the city average.

Looking at specific crime types, robbery is the most elevated concern (index: 140, 40% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 100).

Highest Risk

Robbery · Index 140 (40% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Rape · Index 100 (0% below avg)

Gray's Lake Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Des Moines city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Des Moines	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	117	+17%	-8%	Moderate
Assault	112	+12%	-5%	Moderate
Robbery	140	+40%	+26%	Moderate
Rape	100	0%	N/A	Average
Property Crime
Burglary	109	+9%	-15%	Moderate
Larceny / Theft	140	+40%	+1%	Moderate
Vehicle Theft	114	+14%	-15%	Moderate

How Gray's Lake Compares

Crime index by category: Gray's Lake vs Des Moines average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Gray's Lake Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Gray's Lake Demographics & Context

Population

3,560

Median Income

$74,096

Home Value

$235,532

Median Age

Pop. Density

1,896/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 19%

Graduate Degree 11.5%

Housing

79%

21%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 88.3%

Black 4%

Hispanic 7.7%

Asian 1.3%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Indianola Hills Index: 154

Downtown Des Moines Index: 198

Watrous Heights Index: 78

McKinley School / Columbus Park Index: 116

Sherman Hill Index: 193

B-

Greenwood Historic Index: 90

A+

Magnolia Park Index: 97

Watrous South Index: 124

Gray's Lake Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Des Moines Crime Statistics

View all Des Moines neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Gray's Lake, Des Moines?

Gray's Lake in Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime index is 125, which is 25% above the national average. Compared to the Des Moines average, crime in Gray's Lake is 3% lower. Gray's Lake is safer than 75% of neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Is Gray's Lake a safe neighborhood in Des Moines?

Gray's Lake has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of A. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 140), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 100).

How does Gray's Lake compare to the rest of Des Moines?

Gray's Lake's overall crime index is 125, compared to the Des Moines average of 128. This means crime in Gray's Lake is 3% lower than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 117, and for property crime it is 121. 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 Gray's Lake?

The most common crime type in Gray's Lake is Robbery, with a crime index of 140 (40% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more common than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Gray's Lake?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Indianola Hills, Downtown Des Moines, Watrous Heights and McKinley School / Columbus Park. These areas are close to Gray's Lake and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Gray's Lake?

Gray's Lake has a population of approximately 3,560. The median household income is $74,096. The median home value is $235,532. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Gray's Lake crime compare to the national average?

Gray's Lake's overall crime rate is 25% above the national average (index 125 vs 100). Within Des Moines, it is safer than 75% of neighborhoods. 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 November 2026.