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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Des Moines

Iowa · 193,187 residents · 88.162 sq mi
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The short version

Des Moines has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,703. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $49,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.4
US median: 33.0
Average education
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

193,187
−3%vs 2000
vs 198,682 in 2000
1990 – 2025
2,191 / sq mi
−3%vs 2000
vs 2,254 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
32.4
−4%vs 2000
vs 33.8 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
191K198K205K211K218K1990201020202024Des Moines
2024212K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$26,703
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $38,408 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$13,710
−30%vs 2000
vs $19,467 in 2000
US average: $14,340
12.9%
+1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.4% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$49,000
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $79,900 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$408
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $532 in 2000
US average: $450
62.0%
−2.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 64.7% in 2000
38.0% rent
1.8
−12%vs 2000
vs 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Des Moines on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.6%(158,095)
Black8%(15,813)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(13,138)
Asian3.5%(6,885)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.4%(80,200)
1990
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(172,426)
Black7.1%(13,667)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(4,550)
Asian2.3%(4,437)
Other1.4%(2,657)
Diversity Score29.2%(56,418)
29
−28%vs 2000
vs 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

18.9%
−2.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 21.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
81.0%
−2.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 83.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
6.0%
−0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

15.9 min
+51%vs 2000
vs 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Neighborhoods in Des Moines

BeaverdaleDrakeHighland ParkIndianola HillsLower BeaverMerle HaySouthwestern HillsWatrous SouthWaveland ParkNeighborhoods in Des Moines
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Places similar to Des Moines

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Des Moines, Iowa?

Des Moines, Iowa has about 193,187 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Des Moines, Iowa?

The typical household in Des Moines, Iowa earns about $26,703 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Des Moines, Iowa expensive?

In Des Moines, Iowa, the median home is worth about $49,000, and the typical rent is about $408 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines, Iowa?

About 18.9% of adults age 25 and over in Des Moines, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Des Moines, Iowa?

About 12.9% of people in Des Moines, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →