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CITY · 2010 ACS

Des Moines

Iowa · 203,433 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 $44,178. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $117,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
203,433
+2%since 2000
from 198,682 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,307 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 2,254 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.5
−1%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
191K198K205K211K218K1990201020202024Des Moines
2024212K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,178
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,408 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,096
+24%since 2000
from $19,467 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
16.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.442
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services14.3%
US avg: 7%
Public administration12.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade9.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,600
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$673
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $532 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
47.0%
−17.7 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
37.2% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
26.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
+28%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic70.5%(143,413)
Black10%(20,430)
Hispanic / Latino12%(24,334)
Asian4.4%(8,923)
Other2.9%(5,884)
Diversity Score59.2%(120,419)
Diversity Score
59
+47%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 83.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.3 min
+74%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
29.6%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
10.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.1%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Des Moines

BeaverdaleDrakeHighland ParkIndianola HillsLower BeaverMerle HaySouthwestern HillsWatrous SouthWaveland ParkNeighborhoods in Des Moines
Drill deeper

Places similar to Des Moines

Worcester
Pop 213,862
Grand Rapids
Pop 201,183
Fayetteville
Pop 209,120
Sunrise Manor
Pop 200,218
Places similar to Des Moines
Head to head

Compare Des Moines to nearby cities

DES MOINES VS
Pleasant Hill
Income$90,508+105%
Home value$295,100+151%
Population11,239−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Norwalk
Income$102,722+133%
Home value$303,100+158%
Population15,004−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Altoona
Income$86,114+95%
Home value$274,600+134%
Population22,796−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
West Des Moines
Income$86,594+96%
Home value$309,000+163%
Population74,224−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Des Moines, Iowa?

Des Moines, Iowa has about 203,433 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Des Moines, Iowa earns about $44,178 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 $117,600, and the typical rent is about $673 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines, Iowa?

About 23.4% 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 16.3% of people in Des Moines, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Des Moines, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Des Moines, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,246 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →