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NEIGHBORHOOD

Watrous South

Iowa · Des Moines · 6,540 residents · 1.681 sq mi
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The short version

Watrous South has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,443. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $203,245. 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
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%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: 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%
Owner cost-burdened
28.0%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.0%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watrous South on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2024
White, non-Hispanic73.9%(4,831)
Black10.6%(694)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(622)
Asian2.7%(177)
Other3.3%(216)
Diversity Score54%(3,533)
2024
White, non-Hispanic73.9%(4,831)
Black10.6%(694)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(622)
Asian2.7%(177)
Other3.3%(216)
Diversity Score54%(3,533)
Diversity Score
54
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.9%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.8%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.1%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.8%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.5%
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
4.1%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.4%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.1%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.6%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
Female
50.0%
Foreign born
10.7%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.5%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.4%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.8%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.6%
US average: 13.6%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Des Moines

BeaverdaleDrakeHighland ParkIndianola HillsLower BeaverMerle HaySouthwestern HillsWaveland ParkNeighborhoods in Des Moines
Drill deeper

Places similar to Watrous South

Central Oak Park
Pop 6,573
Elyria Swansea
Pop 6,479
Rancho San Antonio
Pop 7,083
Coliseum Industrial
Pop 6,471
Places similar to Watrous South
Head to head

Compare Watrous South side by side

WATROUS SOUTH VS
Central Oak Park
Income$64,135−2%
Home value$448,750+121%
Population6,573+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATROUS SOUTH VS
Elyria Swansea
Income$62,457−5%
Home value$404,152+99%
Population6,479−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATROUS SOUTH VS
Rancho San Antonio
Income$63,798−3%
Home value$759,516+274%
Population7,083+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATROUS SOUTH VS
Coliseum Industrial
Income$61,248−6%
Home value$508,789+150%
Population6,471−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa?

Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa has about 6,540 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa?

The typical household in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa earns about $65,443 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa expensive?

In Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa, the median home is worth about $203,245, and the typical rent is about $1,102 a month.

How educated are people in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 15.9% of adults age 25 and over in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watrous South, Des Moines, Iowa?

About 16.7% of people in Watrous South, 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 →