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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Des Moines

Iowa · 68,723 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 $74,159. Population has grown 48% since 2000. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $228,300.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% 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
68,723
+48%since 2000
from 46,403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,453 / sq mi
+48%since 2000
from 981 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.3
+7%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
28K40K51K63K75K1990201020202024West Des Moines
202471K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,159
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,139 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,768
+46%since 2000
from $31,405 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
49.1%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services21.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration19.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Information9.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade5%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$228,300
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,058
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $674 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
57.5%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
42.5% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+21%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic76.5%(52,552)
Black5.3%(3,662)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(4,568)
Asian7%(4,780)
Other3.2%(2,179)
Diversity Score48.1%(33,046)
Diversity Score
48
+163%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
54.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 48.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 96.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
18.9%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+67%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.8%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
73.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 76.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
55.2%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
11.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−90.1 ptssince 2013
from 93.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare West Des Moines to nearby cities

WEST DES MOINES VS
Clive
Income$132,121+78%
Home value$401,100+76%
Population19,861−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST DES MOINES VS
Waukee
Income$101,029+36%
Home value$350,500+54%
Population34,890−53%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
Urbandale
Income$112,795+52%
Home value$335,500+47%
Population48,570−35%
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WEST DES MOINES VS
Norwalk
Income$102,722+39%
Home value$303,100+33%
Population15,004−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Des Moines, Iowa?

West Des Moines, Iowa has about 68,723 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Des Moines, Iowa earns about $74,159 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 $228,300, and the typical rent is about $1,058 a month.

How educated are people in West Des Moines, Iowa?

About 54.0% 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 6.8% 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 37,028 residents, a change of about 117 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 →