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CITY · 2010 ACS

West Des Moines

Iowa · 56,609 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 $63,978. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $181,900. Poverty is rare here, at 6.1% of residents. Households here earn about 31% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.5
US median: 37.2
More educated
50% 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
56,609
+22%since 2000
from 46,403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,197 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 981 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.5
+2%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
28K40K51K63K75K1990201020202024West Des Moines
202471K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,978
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,139 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,522
+19%since 2000
from $31,405 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
42.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
6.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.438
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services23.7%
US avg: 7%
Public administration21.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Information10.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$181,900
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$800
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $674 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
49.1%
−13.0 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
37.8% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 30.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.8
+12%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic85%(48,098)
Black3.2%(1,839)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(2,930)
Asian4.8%(2,695)
Other1.1%(615)
Diversity Score32.6%(18,450)
Diversity Score
33
+78%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 48.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
95.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 96.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
14.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+60%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
86.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 86.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
9.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
46.1%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
49.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
9.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.1%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Head to head

Compare West Des Moines to nearby cities

WEST DES MOINES VS
Clive
Income$132,121+107%
Home value$401,100+121%
Population19,861−73%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
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Income$101,029+58%
Home value$350,500+93%
Population34,890−53%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
Urbandale
Income$112,795+76%
Home value$335,500+84%
Population48,570−35%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
Norwalk
Income$102,722+61%
Home value$303,100+67%
Population15,004−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Des Moines, Iowa?

West Des Moines, Iowa has about 56,609 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Des Moines, Iowa earns about $63,978 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 $181,900, and the typical rent is about $800 a month.

How educated are people in West Des Moines, Iowa?

About 49.5% 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 6.1% 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 24,914 residents, a change of about 79 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 →