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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

West Des Moines

Iowa · 46,403 residents · 47.293 sq mi
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The short version

West Des Moines is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $54,139. Population has grown 46% since 1990. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $137,800. Poverty is rare here, at 4.5% of residents. Households here earn about 37% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.0
US median: 35.2
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

46,403
+46%since 1990
from 31,695 in 1990
1990 – 2025
981 / sq mi
+46%since 1990
from 670 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
33.0
−1%since 1990
from 33.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
28K40K51K63K75K1990201020202024West Des Moines
202471K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$54,139
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $41,045 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$31,405
+46%since 1990
from $21,503 in 1990
US average: $21,522
4.5%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 3.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$137,800
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $90,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$674
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $526 in 1990
US average: $602
62.1%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 62.2% in 1990
37.9% rent
2.5
+16%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Des Moines on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(30,635)
Black1.2%(388)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(745)
Asian1.2%(387)
Diversity Score13.4%(4,251)
2000
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(42,283)
Black1.8%(856)
Hispanic / Latino3%(1,404)
Asian2.7%(1,274)
Diversity Score18.3%(8,483)
18
+36%since 1990
from 13 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

48.5%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 41.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
96.3%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 94.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
14.1%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 12.3% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

10.3 min
−34%since 1990
from 15.7 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Des Moines, Iowa?

West Des Moines, Iowa has about 46,403 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in West Des Moines, Iowa earns about $54,139 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 $137,800, and the typical rent is about $674 a month.

How educated are people in West Des Moines, Iowa?

About 48.5% 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 4.5% 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 14,708 residents, a change of about 46 percent over that period.

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

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