Petersons Neighborhood, Des Moines

Last updated: November 10, 2026

Crime Rate & Statistics

Very safe neighborhood — well below-average crime rates

Summary: Petersons, Des Moines Crime Rate (2026)

Petersons, Des Moines, IA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 70% above the national average.

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

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 170 / 300 High

Violent Crime 105

5% above national avg

Property Crime 113

13% above national avg

Check a specific address

in Des Moines

Is Petersons Safe?

Mixed — the grade is relative to other neighborhoods, but crime is above the national average. 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).

Highest Risk

Murder · Index 163 (63% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Rape · Index 55 (45% below avg)

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	vs Des Moines	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	163	+63%	+38%	High
Assault	106	+6%	-11%	Moderate
Robbery	94	-6%	-20%	Average
Rape	55	-45%	N/A	Low
Property Crime
Burglary	85	-15%	-39%	Average
Larceny / Theft	135	+35%	-4%	Moderate
Vehicle Theft	120	+20%	-9%	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.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Petersons Demographics & Context

Population

120

Median Income

$53,611

Home Value

$145,224

Median Age

Pop. Density

7,690/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 9.1%

Graduate Degree 3%

Housing

79%

21%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 82.1%

Black 7.8%

Hispanic 8.3%

Asian 2.6%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Oak Park Index: 139

Prospect Park Index: 156

B-

Chautauqua Park Index: 169

C-

Highland Park Index: 111

A-

Mondamin Presidential Index: 153

B-

King Irving Index: 156

C+

River Bend Index: 163

Lower Beaver Index: 84

Petersons 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 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 has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of A. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. 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 common crime type in Petersons is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 135 (35% above the national average). Homicide is the most elevated type versus the national average (index 163), not the most frequent crime. Overall, property crime is more common 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 November 2026.