Des Moines County, IA

County

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2019 Population

39,386

0.54% 1-year decline

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

42.9

0.704% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

16.1%

4.69% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$51,267

2.58% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$108,500

4.73% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

19,045

0.22% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Des Moines County, IA had a population of 39.4k people with a median age of 42.9 and a median household income of $51,267. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Des Moines County, IA declined from 39,600 to 39,386, a −0.54% decrease and its median household income grew from $49,977 to $51,267, a 2.58% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Des Moines County, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.67%), White (Hispanic) (2.81%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.8%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.767%). 0% of the households in Des Moines County, IA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99% of the residents in Des Moines County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Des Moines County, IA are Southeastern Community College (558 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Des Moines County, IA was $108,500, and the homeownership rate was 70.3%. Most people in Des Moines County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Des Moines County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Des Moines County, IA borders Henderson County, IL, Mercer County, IL, Henry County, IA, Lee County, IA, and Louisa County, IA.

About the photo: View of downtown Burlington, IA

Photo by David Wilson

United States Iowa Burlington, IA-IL

Diversity

Des Moines County, IA is home to a population of 39.4k people, from which 99% are citizens. As of 2019, 1.74% of Des Moines County, IA residents were born outside of the country (686 people).

In 2019, there were 15.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (34.4k people) in Des Moines County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.24k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.11k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Des Moines County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
34.4k ± 12
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.24k ± 273
White (Hispanic)
1.11k ± 97

3.21%

Hispanic Population

1.27k people

3.21% of the people in Des Moines County, IA are hispanic (1.27k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Des Moines County, IA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.74%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

686 people

1.81%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

715 people

As of 2019, 1.74% of Des Moines County, IA residents (686 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Des Moines County, IA was 1.81%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Des Moines County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 9.6

In 2019, the median age of all people in Des Moines County, IA was 42.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Des Moines County, IA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Des Moines County, IA residents was 43.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
42,002 ± 4,998 people
India
10,599 ± 2,523 people
China
9,583 ± 2,400 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,002 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,599 and China with 9,583.

Citizenship

99%

2019 Citizenship

98.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99% of Des Moines County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Des Moines County, IA was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Des Moines County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,233 ± 179
Gulf War (1990s)
361 ± 93
Gulf War (2001-)
312 ± 86

Des Moines County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.42 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Iowa. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Iowa, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Iowa across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Des Moines County, IA is $51,267. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Des Moines County, IA was Census Tract 12 with a value of $75,156, followed by Census Tract 7 and Census Tract 10, with respective values of $63,369 and $62,880.

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,610. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.442, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Des Moines County, IA employs 19k people. The largest industries in Des Moines County, IA are Manufacturing (4,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,501 people), and Retail Trade (2,433 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($100,250), Public Administration ($58,665), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($55,139).

Wages

Median Household Income

$51,267

2019 value

± $1,559

2.58%

1 Year Growth

± 4.78%

Households in Des Moines County, IA have a median annual income of $51,267, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $49,977 in 2018, which represents a 2.58% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Des Moines County, IA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

$62,795

Average Male Salary in Iowa

± $1,739

$46,610

Average Female Salary in Iowa

± $1,263

In 2019, full-time male employees in Iowa made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Iowa

Asian
$49,650 ± $7,144
White
$48,053 ± $1,042
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$41,188 ± $22,357

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Iowa workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.03 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Iowa.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Des Moines County, IA is from Iowa.

0.442

2019 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.443

2018 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2019, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.442 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.107% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 12
Census Tract 7
Census Tract 10

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Des Moines County, IA was Census Tract 12 with a value of $75,156, followed by Census Tract 7 and Census Tract 10, with respective values of $63,369 and $62,880.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Des Moines County, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Des Moines County, IA (6.21k out of 38.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 6 - 11.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
4,510 ± 439
Black
1,265 ± 264
Hispanic
410 ± 161

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Des Moines County, IA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

19k

2019 Value

± 791

−0.22%

1 Year decline

± 5.95%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Des Moines County, IA declined at a rate of −0.22%, from 19.1k employees to 19k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Des Moines County, IA, are Production Occupations (2,273 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,203 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,834 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Des Moines County, IA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Des Moines County, IA, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (2,273 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,203 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,834 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Des Moines County, IA has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.11 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.61 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.35 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Des Moines County, IA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($96,400), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($70,714), and Management Occupations ($62,778).

Industries

Employment by Industries

19k

2019 Value

± 791

−0.22%

1 Year decline

± 5.95%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Des Moines County, IA declined at a rate of −0.22%, from 19.1k employees to 19k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Des Moines County, IA, are Manufacturing (4,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,501 people), and Retail Trade (2,433 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Des Moines County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Des Moines County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Des Moines County, IA, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (4,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,501 people), and Retail Trade (2,433 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Des Moines County, IA has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.19 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.26 times), and Retail Trade (1.14 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Des Moines County, IA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($100,250), Public Administration ($58,665), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($55,139).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Machinery
$20.9B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Meat/seafood
$18.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Machinery with $20.9B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Meat/seafood ($18.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$262B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

97.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $262B. This is expected to increase 97.9% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$23.7B
Minnesota
$16.5B
Texas
$11.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $23.7B, followed by Minnesota with $16.5B and Texas and $11.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Des Moines County, IA went to Donald J. Trump with 53.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.38%). The most partisan county was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (53.3%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.38%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Des Moines County, IA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Iowa.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Des Moines County, IA

53.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Iowa

Lyon County, IA
83.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Sioux County, IA
82.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Osceola County, IA
81% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Iowa was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Iowa colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Des Moines County, IA awarded 558 degrees. The student population of Des Moines County, IA is skewed towards women, with 890 male students and 1,370 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Des Moines County, IA are White (249 and 45.7%), followed by Unknown (230 and 42.2%), Black or African American (23 and 4.22%), and Hispanic or Latino (19 and 3.49%).

The largest universities in Des Moines County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Southeastern Community College (558 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Des Moines County, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (216 and 38.7%), Registered Nursing (64 and 11.5%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (62 and 11.1%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
216 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
64 degree-majorss awarded
General Agricultural Production Operations
14 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Des Moines County, IA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 216 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Des Moines County, IA according to their major.

Universities

Southeastern Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

558 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Des Moines County, IA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southeastern Community College with 558 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

235

Degrees Awarded to Men

323

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 235 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Des Moines County, IA, which is 0.728 times less than the 323 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Des Moines County, IA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
249 degrees awarded
Unknown
230 degrees awarded
Black or African American
23 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Des Moines County, IA was White students. These 249 degrees mean that there were 1.08 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 230 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Des Moines County, IA was $108,500 in 2019, which is 0.451 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $103,600 to $108,500, a 4.73% increase. The homeownership rate in Des Moines County, IA is 70.3%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Des Moines County, IA have an average commute time of 16.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Des Moines County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$108,500

2019 Median

± $6,507

$103,600

2018 Median

± $6,152

In 2019, the median property value in Des Moines County, IA grew to to $108,500 from the previous year's value of $103,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Des Moines County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Des Moines County, IA the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$51,267

Median Household Income

± $1,559

16.9k

Number of Households

± 748

In 2019, the median household income of the 16.9k households in Des Moines County, IA grew to $51,267 from the previous year's value of $49,977.

The following chart displays the households in Des Moines County, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Des Moines County, IA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Des Moines County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

70.3%

2019 Homeownership

72.5%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 70.3% of the housing units in Des Moines County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Des Moines County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

16.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Des Moines County, IA have a shorter commute time (16.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.14% of the workforce in Des Moines County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Des Moines County, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (83.1%)
Carpooled (7.7%)
Walked (3.17%)

In 2019, 83.1% of workers in Des Moines County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.7%) and those who walked to work (3.17%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Des Moines County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Des Moines County, IA have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

95.1% of the population of Des Moines County, IA has health coverage, with 46.1% on employee plans, 20% on Medicaid, 15.3% on Medicare, 12.1% on non-group plans, and 1.51% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Iowa was $8,200 in 2014. This is a 5.05% increase from the previous year ($7,806).

Primary care physicians in Des Moines County, IA see 1505 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.08% increase from the previous year (1460 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1392 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 487 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.3%). Additionally, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,505 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Des Moines County, IA

Primary care physicians in Des Moines County, IA see an average of 1,505 patients per year. This represents a 3.08% increase from the previous year (1,460 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Des Moines County, IA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

$8,200

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Iowa

$4,076

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,702

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,317

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Iowa (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.05%, from $7,806 to $8,200.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.91%

Uninsured

46.1%

Employer Coverage

20%

Medicaid

15.3%

Medicare

12.1%

Non-Group

1.51%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Des Moines County, IA declined by 6.52% from 5.26% to 4.91%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Des Moines County, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.