Waveland Park is a neighborhood of 5,858 people in Des Moines. This is an unusually credentialed place: 50% of adults have a four-year degree. That is roughly 32% ahead of the Des Moines median. Density works out to 3,238 people per square mile. The poverty rate is 4.3%, under the national 12.5%. Owners hold 74% of the housing stock. These figures are approximated by combining the 2 census tracts that make up Waveland Park; 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 41.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
74% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
5,858
Population density
3,238 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
US average: 38.9
Land area
1.81 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$87,070
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$48,844
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.4%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.3%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services17.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration16.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Information5.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$249,921
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,048
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.0%
26.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.24 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
14.7%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.9%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
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-Hispanic82.3%(4,824)
Black6.9%(405)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(309)
Asian1.2%(69)
Other4.3%(251)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.3%(4,824)
Black6.9%(405)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(309)
Asian1.2%(69)
Other4.3%(251)
Diversity Score
39
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
