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CITY

Des Moines

Washington · 33,032 residents (2025 est.) · 6.414 sq mi
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The short version

Des Moines is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $92,483. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $597,000. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 93%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,823
+12%since 2000
from 29,267 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,117 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 4,563 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.0
+3%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:33,032 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K20K25K30K34K1990201020202024Des Moines
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$92,483
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,971 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,717
+81%since 2000
from $24,127 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
59.1%
+21.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.1%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.406
−2%since 2010
from 0.414 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance12%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical11.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Information9.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$597,000
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $170,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,799
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
39.4% rent
Vacancy rate
4.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
67.0%
+25.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.5
+86%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Des Moines on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.7%(20,986)
Black7.1%(2,069)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(1,936)
Asian8.2%(2,399)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.3%(14,435)
2024
White, non-Hispanic44%(14,446)
Black12.7%(4,164)
Hispanic / Latino19.8%(6,504)
Asian12%(3,934)
Other11.5%(3,775)
Diversity Score90.4%(29,678)
Diversity Score
90
+83%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.4%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.8 min
+69%since 2000
from 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.3%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.6%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.7%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 64.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−21.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
51.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
26.0%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2012
from 12.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.2%
−72.8 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2017
from 88.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
64.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2016
from 69.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
14.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 14.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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DES MOINES VS
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DES MOINES VS
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DES MOINES VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Des Moines, Washington?

Des Moines, Washington has about 32,823 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Des Moines, Washington earns about $92,483 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Des Moines, Washington expensive?

In Des Moines, Washington, the median home is worth about $597,000, and the typical rent is about $1,799 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines, Washington?

About 33.4% of adults age 25 and over in Des Moines, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Des Moines, Washington?

About 12.1% of people in Des Moines, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Des Moines, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Des Moines, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,540 residents, a change of about 90 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 →