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NEIGHBORHOOD

Merle Hay

Iowa · Des Moines · 6,708 residents · 1.575 sq mi
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The short version

Merle Hay has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,177. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. Median home value is $200,461. These figures are approximated by combining the 2 census tracts that make up Merle Hay; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
72% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,708
Population density
4,259 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
39.6
US average: 38.9
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,177
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$40,883
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.8%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.4%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.349
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services11.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade10.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration10.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Information9.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,461
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,261
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.0%
28.0% rent
Vacancy rate
4.4%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.3%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.7%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
RELATED:See current rent listings in Merle Hay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2024
White, non-Hispanic72.5%(4,866)
Black8.1%(543)
Hispanic / Latino13.4%(900)
Asian2.6%(172)
Other3.4%(227)
Diversity Score55.9%(3,752)
2024
White, non-Hispanic72.5%(4,866)
Black8.1%(543)
Hispanic / Latino13.4%(900)
Asian2.6%(172)
Other3.4%(227)
Diversity Score55.9%(3,752)
Diversity Score
56
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.8%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.5%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.5%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.3%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.3%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.5%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
74.7%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.1%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
Female
48.8%
Foreign born
9.3%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.7%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.0%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.1%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.1%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.1%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.3%
US average: 13.6%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Des Moines

BeaverdaleDrakeHighland ParkIndianola HillsLower BeaverSouthwestern HillsWatrous SouthWaveland ParkNeighborhoods in Des Moines
Drill deeper

Places similar to Merle Hay

Midtown
Pop 6,125
Canterbury
Pop 6,110
Southcrest
Pop 6,534
Villa Park
Pop 7,192
Places similar to Merle Hay
Head to head

Compare Merle Hay side by side

MERLE HAY VS
Midtown
Income$70,826same
Home value$319,401+59%
Population6,125−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERLE HAY VS
Canterbury
Income$70,263−1%
Home value$214,863+7%
Population6,110−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERLE HAY VS
Southcrest
Income$75,389+6%
Home value$605,342+202%
Population6,534−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERLE HAY VS
Villa Park
Income$68,191−4%
Home value$454,262+127%
Population7,192+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa?

Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa has about 6,708 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa?

The typical household in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa earns about $71,177 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa expensive?

In Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa, the median home is worth about $200,461, and the typical rent is about $1,261 a month.

How educated are people in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 34.8% of adults age 25 and over in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 9.4% of people in Merle Hay, Des Moines, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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Containing area
Des Moines

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →