Petersons Neighborhood, Des Moines
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Crime Rate & Statistics
Very safe neighborhood — well below-average crime rates
Summary: Petersons, Des Moines Crime Rate (2026)
Petersons in Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average.
Data source: FBI UCR & local law enforcement data. Last updated: May 5, 2026.
Safety at a Glance
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in Des Moines
Is Petersons Safe?
Yes — this neighborhood is very safe. Petersons in Des Moines, IA has a safety grade of A. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average of 100.
Compared to the Des Moines average (crime index 128), Petersons is 42% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, murder is the most elevated concern (index: 163, 63% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 55).
Petersons 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
|
163 | +63% | High | |
|
Assault
|
106 | +6% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
120 | +20% | Moderate | |
How Petersons Compares
Crime index by category: Petersons vs Des Moines average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Petersons Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
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Petersons Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Petersons, Des Moines?
Petersons in Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average. Compared to the Des Moines average, crime in Petersons is 42% higher.
Is Petersons a safe neighborhood in Des Moines?
Petersons is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Des Moines, earning a crime grade of A. The highest concern is Murder (index: 163), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 55).
How does Petersons compare to the rest of Des Moines?
Petersons's overall crime index is 170, compared to the Des Moines average of 128. This means crime in Petersons is 42% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 105, and for property crime it is 113. 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 Petersons?
The most prevalent crime type in Petersons is Murder, with a crime index of 163 (63% 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 Petersons?
Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Oak Park, Prospect Park, Highland Park and Mondamin Presidential. These areas are close to Petersons and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.
What are the demographics of Petersons?
Petersons has a population of approximately 120. The median household income is $53,611. The median home value is $145,224. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Petersons crime compare to the national average?
Petersons's overall crime rate is 70% above the national average (index 170 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 May 2026.