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CITY · 2020 ACS

Des Moines

Iowa · 214,133 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 $54,843. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $141,300. At a median age of 34.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
214,133
+8%since 2000
from 198,682 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,429 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 2,254 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.8
+3%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
191K198K205K211K218K1990201020202024Des Moines
2024212K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,843
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,408 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,064
+49%since 2000
from $19,467 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.4%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services12.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration11.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$141,300
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$881
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $532 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.4%
−6.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
41.6% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+24%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic61%(130,599)
Black11.5%(24,538)
Hispanic / Latino15.6%(33,480)
Asian6.7%(14,348)
Other3.9%(8,349)
Diversity Score71.7%(153,447)
Diversity Score
72
+78%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 83.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.1 min
+81%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 71.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.5%
−28.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
12.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−82.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Des Moines

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

Places similar to Des Moines

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Pop 213,862
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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+65%
Home value$295,100+109%
Population11,239−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Norwalk
Income$102,722+87%
Home value$303,100+115%
Population15,004−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Altoona
Income$86,114+57%
Home value$274,600+94%
Population22,796−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
West Des Moines
Income$86,594+58%
Home value$309,000+119%
Population74,224−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Des Moines, Iowa?

Des Moines, Iowa has about 214,133 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Des Moines, Iowa earns about $54,843 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 $141,300, and the typical rent is about $881 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines, Iowa?

About 27.9% 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 16.0% 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 20,946 residents, a change of about 11 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 →