COMPARING TWO PLACES
Benton vs West Des Moines
PLACE A
Benton, Pennsylvania
VS
PLACE B
West Des Moines, Iowa
Benton is 99% smaller than West Des Moines. West Des Moines earns more, with a median household income $52,094 higher. West Des Moines has grown faster since 2000 (21% vs 0%).
BENTONWEST DES MOINESDIFFERENCE
Total population81974,224−99% vs West Des Moines
Population density1,3721,569−198
Population growth-0.1%21.4%−21.5 pts
Median age55.936.0+19.9
Male40.8%49.2%−8.4 pts
Female59.2%50.8%+8.4 pts
Foreign-born2.9%10.9%−8.0 pts
White, non-Hispanic92.6%77.4%+15.2 pts
Black0.0%5.0%−5.0 pts
Hispanic / Latino1.4%6.5%−5.0 pts
Asian0.0%6.3%−6.3 pts
Other6.0%4.8%+1.2 pts
Median household income$34,500$86,594−$52,094
Per capita income$28,218$57,275−$29,057
Poverty rate26.2%8.4%+17.8 pts
Income inequality (Gini)0.5010.471+0.0
Bachelor's degree or higher10.3%54.9%−44.6 pts
Graduate degree3.5%19.1%−15.5 pts
Unemployment rate5.5%2.4%+3.1 pts
Labor force participation41.3%72.7%−31.3 pts
Median home value$168,400$309,000−$140,600
Median gross rent$956$1,237−$281
Owner-occupied43.4%57.4%−13.9 pts
Housing vacancy rate21.5%5.2%+16.3 pts
Rent-burdened households56.1%41.6%+14.6 pts
Average commute26.918.3+8.6
Worked from home7.2%19.1%−11.8 pts
Public transit to work0.0%0.6%−0.6 pts
Uninsured6.0%4.8%+1.2 pts
Population, 1990 – 2025