registered sex offenders live in West Des Moines — that's 1 in every 716 residents, or 14 per 10,000, 53% below the Iowa state average.
West Des Moines has 14 registered sex offenders per 10,000 residents — 53% below the Iowa state average of 29.7, and below the national average of about 24. Per-capita rates are the fair way to compare cities of different sizes.
Against Iowa cities of similar size, West Des Moines has the 3rd-highest rate per resident:
| # | City | Population | Registered offenders | Per 10,000 residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Council Bluffs | 62,781 | 407 | 64.8 |
| 2 | Waterloo | 67,309 | 396 | 58.8 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | 68,725 | 96 | 14.0 |
| 4 | Ames | 66,432 | 86 | 12.9 |
| 5 | Ankeny | 68,095 | 75 | 11.0 |
Where West Des Moines's 96 registered offenders live, by the ZIP code on their registry record. West Des Moines (50266) tops the list with 52 — 54% of the citywide total.
| # | Area | ZIP code | Registered offenders | Share of city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines | 50266 | 54.2% | |
| 2 | West Des Moines | 50265 | 45.8% |
Counts as of July 2026, compiled from official registry records. Area names reflect the town or neighborhood most commonly listed on registry records for that ZIP.
Iowa classifies registrants by assessed re-offense risk — Level 1 (low, never public), Level 2 (moderate), and Level 3 (high, always public with active police notification).
Citywide numbers can't tell you who lives on your street. The free Predator Map app searches any West Des Moines address and shows every registered offender around it on an interactive map — photos, offenses, and registered addresses from official registry records. You can also search the official Iowa Sex Offender Registry (DPS) directly.
As of July 2026, there are 96 registered sex offenders in West Des Moines, Iowa — about 14 for every 10,000 residents, 53% below the Iowa state average. West Des Moines ranks #9 of the 12 largest Iowa cities by offender count.
West Des Moines, ZIP code 50266, has the most registered sex offenders in West Des Moines with 52 — 54% of the city's total.
Use the free Predator Map app: search any West Des Moines address and every registered offender nearby appears on an interactive map with photos, offense details, and registered addresses from official registry records.
Yes. Predator Map Pro monitors up to 5 addresses daily and sends push and email alerts when a registered offender moves in nearby, a new offender registers, or someone moves away.
Free search for any West Des Moines address — and daily monitoring with instant alerts when something changes.
Search your address freeWant alerts the moment a predator moves in nearby? Get the free app.
Methodology: Statistics are compiled from aggregated official state registry records and refreshed monthly. City figures count the city listed on each registry record. Per-capita rates use 2020 U.S. Census populations. Aggregated counts can exceed what public registry websites display because some classification levels are excluded from public searches. Figures are estimates and change daily as registries update — always verify individual records with the official state registry.