Highland Park is a neighborhood of 8,919 people in Des Moines. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. Median home value sits at $145,612. There are 5,699 people per square mile. The median age is 34.6, younger than the US median of 38.9. The average commute runs 18 minutes. These figures are approximated by combining the 2 census tracts that make up Highland Park; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
71% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
8,919
Population density
5,699 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
34.6
US average: 38.9
Land area
1.57 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$54,129
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$28,551
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.4%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.4%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.418
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services11.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade10.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration8.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Information8.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$145,612
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,045
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.6%
29.4% rent
Vacancy rate
8.2%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.51 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
24.3%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.5%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.3%(4,490)
Black10.6%(945)
Hispanic / Latino18.4%(1,645)
Asian11%(980)
Other9.6%(859)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.3%(4,490)
Black10.6%(945)
Hispanic / Latino18.4%(1,645)
Asian11%(980)
Other9.6%(859)
Diversity Score
85
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
