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CITY · 2020 ACS

Des Moines

Washington · 32,888 residents · 6.414 sq mi
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The short version

Des Moines has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $70,268. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $379,300.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,888
+12%since 2000
from 29,267 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,128 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 4,563 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.6
+7%since 2000
from 37.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K20K25K30K34K1990201020202024Des Moines
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,268
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,971 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,329
+55%since 2000
from $24,127 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
46.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Finance & insurance11.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical11.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$379,300
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $170,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,390
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
40.6% rent
Afford Score
5.4
+55%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic47.1%(15,506)
Black12%(3,940)
Hispanic / Latino17.7%(5,822)
Asian12.6%(4,139)
Other10.7%(3,510)
Diversity Score88.2%(28,995)
Diversity Score
88
+79%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.2 min
+65%since 2000
from 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.1%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 64.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.0%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
21.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.3%
−71.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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 32,888 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Des Moines, Washington earns about $70,268 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 $379,300, and the typical rent is about $1,390 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines, Washington?

About 28.9% 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 7.5% 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 15,605 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

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