Des Moines, IA

Census Place

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2020 Population

215,408

0.106% 1-year decline

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

0.585% 1-year decrease

2020 Poverty Rate

16%

0.328% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$54,843

2.46% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$141,300

6.08% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

111,282

0.984% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Des Moines, IA had a population of 215k people with a median age of 34 and a median household income of $54,843. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Des Moines, IA declined from 215,636 to 215,408, a −0.106% decrease and its median household income grew from $53,525 to $54,843, a 2.46% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Des Moines, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (64.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (11%), White (Hispanic) (8.68%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.45%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.53%).

None of the households in Des Moines, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92% of the residents in Des Moines, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Des Moines, IA are Drake University (1,467 degrees awarded in 2020), Grand View University (590 degrees), and Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (454 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Des Moines, IA was $141,300, and the homeownership rate was 59.6%.

Most people in Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Des Moines, IA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Looking Northwest at the city from just south of the Capitol Building. In front of you is the Scott Street Dam and abandoned train bridge crossing the Des Moines River.

Photo by Jason Mrachina

Population & Diversity

Des Moines, IA is home to a population of 215k people, from which 92% are citizens. As of 2020, 12.9% of Des Moines, IA residents were born outside of the country (27.8k people).

In 2020, there were 5.85 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (139k people) in Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 23.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 18.7k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92%

2020 Citizenship

91.9%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 92% of Des Moines, IA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Des Moines, IA was 91.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Des Moines, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
139k ± 2.02k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
23.8k ± 1.53k
White (Hispanic)
18.7k ± 1.29k

14%

Hispanic Population

30.1k people

14% of the people in Des Moines, IA are hispanic (30.1k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,266 ± 4,955 people
India
10,872 ± 2,556 people
China
9,649 ± 2,408 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,266 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,872 and China with 9,649.

Foreign-Born Population

12.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

27.8k people

12.5%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

26.9k people

As of 2020, 12.9% of Des Moines, IA residents (27.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Des Moines, IA was 12.5%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,115 ± 271
Gulf War (2001-)
2,025 ± 292
Gulf War (1990s)
1,176 ± 192

Des Moines, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.54 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Des Moines, IA employs 111k people. The largest industries in Des Moines, IA are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,551 people), Finance & Insurance (12,766 people), and Retail Trade (12,385 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($63,333), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($61,442), and Public Administration ($60,742).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,102. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.438, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

111k

2020 Value

± 2,559

−0.984%

1 Year decline

± 3.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Des Moines, IA declined at a rate of −0.984%, from 112k employees to 111k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Des Moines, IA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,728 people), Sales & Related Occupations (10,719 people), and Management Occupations (9,002 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Des Moines, IA.

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

111k

2020 Value

± 2,559

−0.984%

1 Year decline

± 3.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Des Moines, IA declined at a rate of −0.984%, from 112k employees to 111k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Des Moines, IA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,551 people), Finance & Insurance (12,766 people), and Retail Trade (12,385 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Des Moines, IA, though some of these residents may live in Des Moines, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,978

Median earning men ± $848

$32,320

Median earning women ± $760

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($66,360), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($54,375), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,541).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($66,384), Public Administration ($53,071), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,481).

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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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

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.

Senators Elections

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 Elections

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, IA awarded 2,824 degrees. The student population of Des Moines, IA in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 3,542 male students and 5,549 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Des Moines, IA are White (2,233 and 81.1%), followed by Asian (141 and 5.12%), Hispanic or Latino (117 and 4.25%), and Black or African American (110 and 4%).

The largest universities in Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Drake University (1,467 and 51.9%), Grand View University (590 and 20.9%), and Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (454 and 16.1%).

The most popular majors in Des Moines, IA are Registered Nursing (268 and 9.49%), General Educational Leadership & Administration (137 and 4.85%), and Pharmacy (96 and 3.4%).

The median tuition cost in Des Moines, IA for private four year colleges is $29,076.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Des Moines, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 9,091 (39% men and 61% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 9,091 students enrolled in Des Moines, IA, 39% men and 61% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,768 records, of which 62.4% were women and 37.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
66 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
237 degree-majors awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
83 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Des Moines, IA was General Psychology with 66 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Drake University
1,467 degrees awarded
Grand View University
590 degrees awarded
Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center
454 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Drake University with 1,467 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 1,046 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Des Moines, IA, which is 0.588 times less than the 1,778 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,233 degrees mean that there were 15.8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 141 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($29,076) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($447) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2020, 0.541% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.593% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (734k), Some college (566k), and Bachelors Degree (451k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Des Moines, IA was $141,300 in 2020, which is 0.615 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $133,200 to $141,300, a 6.08% increase. The homeownership rate in Des Moines, IA is 59.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Des Moines, IA have an average commute time of 19.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Des Moines, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Des Moines, IA is $54,843. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 30.02 with a value of $122,125, followed by Census Tract 204 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $86,396 and $82,279.

Housing

Property

$141,300

Median Property Value 2020

±$2,075

$51,035

Median Property Taxes

±$1,497

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Des Moines, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Des Moines, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.6%

Homeownership

2020

61.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 59.6% of the housing units in Des Moines, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 60.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Des Moines, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 30.02
Census Tract 204
Census Tract 31

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 30.02 with a value of $122,125, followed by Census Tract 204 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $86,396 and $82,279.

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

Household Income

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

$54,843

Median Household Income

± $1,544

85.7k

Number of Households

± 2,216

In 2020, the median household income of the 85.7k households in Des Moines, IA grew to $54,843 from the previous year's value of $53,525.

The following chart displays the households in Des Moines, 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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.442

2019 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2020, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.438 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.914% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (78.6%)
Carpooled (9.68%)
Worked At Home (5.47%)

In 2020, 78.6% of workers in Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.68%) and those who worked at home (5.47%).

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.

Commute Time

19.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Des Moines, IA have a shorter commute time (19.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.01% of the workforce in Des Moines, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Des Moines, 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, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Des Moines, IA (33.8k out of 211k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

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.

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.

Health

93.6% of the population of Des Moines, IA has health coverage, with 47.4% on employee plans, 25.6% on Medicaid, 8.78% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 1.09% 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 Polk County, IA see 1026 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.58% increase from the previous year (1010 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1354 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 372 patients per year.

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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Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Polk County, IA.

1,026 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, IA

Primary care physicians in Polk County, IA see an average of 1,026 patients per year. This represents a 1.58% increase from the previous year (1,010 patients).

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

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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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.6% under 18 years, 26.1% between 18 and 34 years, 36.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.36%

Uninsured

47.4%

Employer Coverage

25.6%

Medicaid

8.78%

Medicare

10.7%

Non-Group

1.09%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Des Moines, IA declined by 8.15% from 6.93% to 6.36%.

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