CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 2000 CENSUS

Des Moines Metro

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 6 counties · 518,607 residents · 3,612.308 sq mi
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The short version

Des Moines has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $45,993. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $98,642.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.1
US median: 35.2
More educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
518,607
+15%since 1990
from 451,141 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
144 / sq mi
+15%since 1990
from 125 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
35.1
+6%since 1990
from 33.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
423K507K591K675K759K1990201020202024Des Moines
2024731K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,993
+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $30,653 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,866
+56%since 1990
from $14,626 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
7.4%
−1.4 ptssince 1990
from 8.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,642
+33%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $56,385 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$548
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $406 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
71.3%
+3.3 ptssince 1990
from 68.0% in 1990
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+17%since 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Des Moines on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic94.5%(426,463)
Black3.3%(14,743)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(7,142)
Asian1.3%(6,069)
Diversity Score16.6%(74,732)
2000
White, non-Hispanic89.1%(462,042)
Black3.6%(18,596)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(19,730)
Asian2%(10,398)
Diversity Score22.3%(115,686)
Diversity Score
22
+35%since 1990
from 17 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.1%
+5.9 ptssince 1990
from 21.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
88.4%
+3.8 ptssince 1990
from 84.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.7%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 6.3% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.2 min
−36%since 1990
from 19.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

Des MoinesCENTRAL212,086West Des MoinesCENTRAL74,224
What's inside

6 component counties

Polk CountyCENTRAL516,546Dallas CountyCENTRAL118,457Warren County57,331Jasper County38,153Madison County17,270Guthrie County10,782
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Des Moines

Colorado Springs
Pop 781,796
Madison
Pop 709,685
Boise City
Pop 864,243
Charleston
Pop 889,263
Places similar to Des Moines
Head to head

Compare Des Moines side by side

DES MOINES VS
Colorado Springs
Income$90,201+96%
Home value$461,611+368%
Population781,796+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Madison
Income$88,936+93%
Home value$373,185+278%
Population709,685−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Boise City
Income$85,629+86%
Home value$469,641+376%
Population864,243+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DES MOINES VS
Charleston
Income$85,207+85%
Home value$404,179+310%
Population889,263+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has about 518,607 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns about $45,993 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA expensive?

In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, the median home is worth about $98,642, and the typical rent is about $548 a month.

How educated are people in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

About 27.1% of adults age 25 and over in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

About 7.4% of people in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA grown since 1990?

Yes, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 67,466 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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