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
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%
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.
