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CITY

West Des Moines

Iowa · 74,224 residents (2025 est.) · 47.293 sq mi
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The short version

West Des Moines has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $86,594. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 53% since 2000. 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $309,000.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
55% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,083
+53%since 2000
from 46,403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,503 / sq mi
+53%since 2000
from 981 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.0
+9%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:74,224 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
28K40K51K63K75K1990201020202024West Des Moines
202471K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,594
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,139 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$57,275
+82%since 2000
from $31,405 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.0%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.4%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.471
+8%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services19.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration17.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$309,000
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,237
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $674 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.4%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
42.6% rent
Vacancy rate
5.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.7%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.6%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+40%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
47
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Des Moines on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(42,283)
Black1.8%(856)
Hispanic / Latino3%(1,404)
Asian2.7%(1,274)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.3%(8,483)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.4%(54,992)
Black5%(3,581)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(4,603)
Asian6.3%(4,504)
Other4.8%(3,403)
Diversity Score48.6%(34,516)
Diversity Score
49
+166%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.9%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 48.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.3%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 96.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
19.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.3 min
+77%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.0%
−15.1 ptssince 2009
from 86.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.1%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.7%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 76.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
54.4%
−16.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
10.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.4%
−42.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2012
from 7.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−88.9 ptssince 2013
from 93.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.4%
+5.6 ptssince 2017
from 87.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 86.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
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WEST DES MOINES VS
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WEST DES MOINES VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Des Moines, Iowa?

West Des Moines, Iowa has about 71,083 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Des Moines, Iowa earns about $86,594 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Des Moines, Iowa expensive?

In West Des Moines, Iowa, the median home is worth about $309,000, and the typical rent is about $1,237 a month.

How educated are people in West Des Moines, Iowa?

About 54.9% of adults age 25 and over in West Des Moines, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Des Moines, Iowa?

About 8.4% of people in West Des Moines, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Des Moines, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, West Des Moines, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 39,388 residents, a change of about 124 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 →