Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · Metro Area

731,120Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 6 counties (2 central, 4 outlying), part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $85,890
Median home value: $267,400
Land area: 3,613 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Polk County, IA	Central	503,175	$83,576	$262,100
Dallas County, IA	Central	107,968	$102,379	$355,600
Warren County, IA	Outlying	54,409	$94,588	$269,600
Jasper County, IA	Outlying	37,954	$71,311	$186,300
Madison County, IA	Outlying	16,926	$90,855	$245,100
Guthrie County, IA	Outlying	10,688	$77,711	$180,100

Largest cities and towns

77 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Des Moines, IA	City	212,421	$65,932
Ankeny, IA	City	72,615	$108,198
West Des Moines, IA	City	71,083	$86,594
Urbandale, IA	City	46,595	$112,795
Waukee, IA	City	29,236	$101,029
Johnston, IA	City	24,384	$106,551
Altoona, IA	City	21,495	$86,114
Clive, IA	City	19,012	$132,121
Grimes, IA	City	16,366	$120,037
Indianola, IA	City	16,044	$75,453
Newton, IA	City	15,700	$57,771
Norwalk, IA	City	14,183	$102,722
Pleasant Hill, IA	City	11,136	$90,508
Bondurant, IA	City	8,560	$135,674
Perry, IA	City	7,985	$68,910
Adel, IA	City	6,430	$95,250
Polk City, IA	City	6,037	$164,389
Winterset, IA	City	5,416	$67,708
Windsor Heights, IA	City	5,143	$91,707
Carlisle, IA	City	4,255	$109,191
Saylorville, IA	CDP	3,366	$117,821
Mitchellville, IA	City	2,579	$81,172
Colfax, IA	City	2,210	$79,318
Dallas Center, IA	City	2,161	$95,854
Monroe, IA	City	2,120	$80,375

Also in the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area

Ames, IA · metro · 127,134 Pella, IA · micro · 33,642 Oskaloosa, IA · micro · 22,021

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Unemployment

College Educated

39.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$85,890

Mean Household Income

$112,632

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.9%

Female

50.1%

Population Split

Male49.9%

Female50.1%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German26.0%

Irish13.8%

English12.1%

Mexican5.8%

Italian3.1%

African2.4%

Scottish1.9%

French1.5%

Polish1.2%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.8%Foreign Born

91.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized47.1%

Non-Citizen52.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later42.0%

Before 201058.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

314,368

Median Rent

$1,150/mo

Median Home Value

$267,400

Median Year Built

1985

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

177,663

College Enrollment

15.6%

High School

22.7%

College Educated

39.7%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.0 min

Drive Alone Rate

72.7%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

16.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.5%

18-34 Years

22.9%

35-64 Years

38.1%

65+ Years

14.5%

Population Composition

Under 1824.5%

18-3422.9%

35-6438.1%

65+14.5%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.9%

Single Parent

6.6%

Living Alone

30.2%

Avg Size

2.44

Household Types

Married Couples47.9%

Single Parent6.6%

Living Alone30.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$46,354

SNAP Usage

8.7%

Health Insurance

95.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k10.6%

$25k - $50k16.7%

$50k - $100k30.1%

$100k+42.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.1%

Retail Trade

11.0%

Education & Health Care

21.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

10.9%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

91.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

91.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

166.0

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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