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NEIGHBORHOOD

Southwestern Hills

Iowa · Des Moines · 3,097 residents · 4.46 sq mi
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The short version

With 3,097 people, Southwestern Hills is a neighborhood in Des Moines. Households here earn about 96% more than in Des Moines as a whole. 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. At a median age of 45.1, this is an older place than the country as a whole. Owners hold 79% of the housing stock. Median household income runs $129,267, well clear of the $82,259 US median. These figures are approximated by combining the 2 census tracts that make up Southwestern Hills; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.

At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $129,267, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
61% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
79% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
In context

Southwestern Hills compared with Des Moines

MeasureSouthwestern HillsDes MoinesDifference
Median household income$129,267$65,93296% higher
Median home value$362,000$194,70086% higher
Homes that are rented20.8%39.5%−18.7 pts
Bachelor's degree or higher61.1%29.7%+31.4 pts
Poverty rate2.9%15.0%−12.0 pts
Foreign-born residents5.0%14.2%−9.2 pts
Median age45.134.610.5 years older
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,097
Population density
695 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
45.1
US average: 38.9
Land area
4.46 sq mi
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$129,267
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$71,530
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
72.9%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.9%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.382
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services19.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration18%
US avg: 4.8%
Information5.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$362,000
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,176
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
79.2%
20.8% rent
Vacancy rate
3.7%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.18 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
11.4%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.3%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
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-Hispanic81.8%(2,533)
Black3.2%(100)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(347)
Asian0.5%(15)
Other3.3%(102)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.8%(2,533)
Black3.2%(100)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(347)
Asian0.5%(15)
Other3.3%(102)
Diversity Score
40
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
61.1%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.4%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.6%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.3 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.9%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.3%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.7%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.8%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.5%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.8%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.6%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
58.2%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
Female
54.3%
Foreign born
5.0%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.6%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.0%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.3%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.5%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
US average: 13.6%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Des Moines

Drill deeper

Places similar to Southwestern Hills

Catholic University
Pop 3,058
West End
Pop 4,080
Old City
Pop 3,443
Oakland Army Base
Pop 3,713
Places similar to Southwestern Hills
Head to head

Compare Southwestern Hills side by side

SOUTHWESTERN HILLS VS
Catholic University
Income$117,460−9%
Home value$441,100+22%
Population3,058−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHWESTERN HILLS VS
West End
Income$133,538+3%
Home value$770,460+113%
Population4,080+32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHWESTERN HILLS VS
Old City
Income$107,719−17%
Home value$615,530+70%
Population3,443+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHWESTERN HILLS VS
Oakland Army Base
Income$148,231+15%
Home value$761,885+110%
Population3,713+20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa?

Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa has about 3,097 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa?

The typical household in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa earns about $129,267 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa expensive?

In Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa, the median home is worth about $362,000, and the typical rent is about $1,176 a month.

How educated are people in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 61.1% of adults age 25 and over in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Southwestern Hills, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 2.9% of people in Southwestern Hills, 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 →