Park Avenue Heights Neighborhood, Des Moines

Crime Rate & Statistics

A+

One of the safest neighborhoods — significantly below-average crime

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Low

Low 30 / 300 High

Violent Crime 49

51% below national avg

Property Crime 108

8% above national avg

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in Des Moines

Is Park Avenue Heights Safe?

Yes — this neighborhood is extremely safe. Park Avenue Heights in Des Moines, IA has a safety grade of A+. The overall crime index is 30, which is 70% below the national average of 100.

Compared to the Des Moines average (crime index 128), Park Avenue Heights is 98% lower in overall crime. This neighborhood is significantly safer than Des Moines as a whole, making it an attractive option for safety-conscious residents.

Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 159, 59% above average), while murder is the lowest risk (index: 23). Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime here, consistent with broader national patterns.

Highest Risk

Larceny / Theft · Index 159 (59% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Murder · Index 23 (77% below avg)

Park Avenue Heights 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	23	-77%	-102%	Low
Assault	46	-54%	-71%	Low
Robbery	55	-45%	-59%	Low
Rape	70	-30%	N/A	Low
Property Crime
Burglary	94	-6%	-30%	Average
Larceny / Theft	159	+59%	+20%	High
Vehicle Theft	71	-29%	-58%	Low

How Park Avenue Heights Compares

Crime index by category: Park Avenue Heights vs Des Moines average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Park Avenue Heights 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

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Park Avenue Heights Demographics & Context

Population

141

Median Income

$80,533

Home Value

$165,612

Median Age

Pop. Density

5,290/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 13.5%

Graduate Degree 2.1%

Housing

81%

19%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 82%

Black 6.6%

Hispanic 12.8%

Asian 4.9%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Watrous Heights Index: 78

Indianola Hills Index: 154

Magnolia Park Index: 97

South Park Index: 171

B+

Gray's Lake Index: 125

McKinley School / Columbus Park Index: 116

Pioneer Park Index: 175

B-

Fort Des Moines Index: 119

A-

Park Avenue Heights 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 Park Avenue Heights, Des Moines?

Park Avenue Heights in Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 30, which is 70% below the national average. Compared to the Des Moines average, crime in Park Avenue Heights is 98% lower.

Is Park Avenue Heights a safe neighborhood in Des Moines?

Park Avenue Heights is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Des Moines, earning a crime grade of A+. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 159), while Murder is the lowest risk (index: 23).

How does Park Avenue Heights compare to the rest of Des Moines?

Park Avenue Heights's overall crime index is 30, compared to the Des Moines average of 128. This means crime in Park Avenue Heights is 98% lower than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 49, and for property crime it is 108. 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 Park Avenue Heights?

The most prevalent crime type in Park Avenue Heights is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 159 (59% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Park Avenue Heights?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Watrous Heights, Indianola Hills, Magnolia Park and South Park. These areas are close to Park Avenue Heights and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Park Avenue Heights?

Park Avenue Heights has a population of approximately 141. The median household income is $80,533. The median home value is $165,612. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Park Avenue Heights crime compare to the national average?

Park Avenue Heights's overall crime rate is 70% below the national average (index 30 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.