With 6,540 people, Watrous South is a neighborhood in Des Moines. Four-year degrees are less common here than nationally, at 16% of adults. Density works out to 3,891 people per square mile. The typical home is worth $203,245. 16.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. The median household earns $65,443, about 20% below the national median. These figures are approximated by combining the 2 census tracts that make up Watrous South; 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 37.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
70% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
6,540
Population density
3,891 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
37.1
US average: 38.9
Land area
1.68 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$65,443
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$33,616
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.7%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.7%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.433
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$203,245
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,102
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.0%
30.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.40 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
28.0%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.0%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
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-Hispanic73.9%(4,831)
Black10.6%(694)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(622)
Asian2.7%(177)
Other3.3%(216)
2024
White, non-Hispanic73.9%(4,831)
Black10.6%(694)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(622)
Asian2.7%(177)
Other3.3%(216)
Diversity Score
54
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
