Des Moines, IA

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Population

214,778

0.902% growth

Median Age

33.9


Median Household Income

$49,999

3.97% growth

Poverty Rate

18.1%


Number of Employees

110,574

2.49% growth

Median Property Value

$123,300

2.92% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Des Moines, IA had a population of 215k people with a median age of 33.9 and a median household income of $49,999. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Des Moines, IA grew from 212,859 to 214,778, a 0.902% increase and its median household income grew from $48,088 to $49,999, a 3.97% increase.

The population of Des Moines, IA is 66.5% White Alone, 13.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.7% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Des Moines, IA speak a non-English language, and 92.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Des Moines, IA are Drake University (1,554 degrees awarded in 2017), Grand View University (646 degrees), and Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (443 degrees).

The median property value in Des Moines, IA is $123,300, and the homeownership rate is 60%. Most people in Des Moines, IA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 18.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Des Moines, IA is 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

United StatesIowaPolk County, IAWarren County, IADes Moines-West Des Moines, IAWest Des Moines & Urbandale Cities PUMA, IAWarren, Jasper, Marion, Dallas (West) & Madison Counties PUMA, IAAnkeny & Altoona Cities PUMA, IADes Moines City PUMA, IA

Economy

The economy of Des Moines, IA employs 111k people. The largest industries in Des Moines, IA are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,455 people), Retail Trade (13,385 people), and Finance & Insurance (12,316 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($75,179), Utilities ($68,214), and Public Administration ($56,310).

Median household income in Des Moines, IA is $49,999. Males in Des Moines, IA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,006. The income inequality in Des Moines, IA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.443, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$49,999

2017 value

± $1,156

3.97%

1 Year Growth

± 3.19%

Households in Des Moines, IA have a median annual income of $49,999, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $48,088 in 2016, which represents a 3.97% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Des Moines, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$58,922

Average Male Salary

± $1,635

$44,006

Average Female Salary

± $1,197

In 2017, full-time male employees in Iowa made 1.34 times more than female employees.

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

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $50,374 ± $7,648

  2. White

    $44,731 ± $967

  3. Black

    $32,234 ± $4,518

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Iowa workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

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

0.443

2017 Wage GINI

0.445

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.563% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 30.02

  2. Census Tract 31

  3. Census Tract 107.06

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 30.02 with a value of $115,750, followed by Census Tract 31 and Census Tract 107.06, with respective values of $97,500 and $78,542.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

18.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Des Moines, IA (38k out of 210k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    23,393 ± 1,043

  2. Black

    7,816 ± 663

  3. Hispanic

    7,188 ± 617

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

111k

2017 Value

± 2,228

2.49%

1 Year growth

± 2.79%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 2.49%, from 108k employees to 111k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Des Moines, IA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,138 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,022 people), and Production Occupations (8,522 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Des Moines, IA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Des Moines, IA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,138 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,022 people), and Production Occupations (8,522 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Des Moines, IA has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (1.33 times higher than expected), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.32 times), and Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Des Moines, IA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($73,311), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($65,186), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($64,073).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

111k

2017 Value

± 2,228

2.49%

1 Year growth

± 2.79%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 2.49%, from 108k employees to 111k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Des Moines, IA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,455 people), Retail Trade (13,385 people), and Finance & Insurance (12,316 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Des Moines, IA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,455 people), Retail Trade (13,385 people), and Finance & Insurance (12,316 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Des Moines, IA has an unusually high number of Finance & Insurance (2.38 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.29 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.13 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Des Moines, IA, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($75,179), Utilities ($68,214), and Public Administration ($56,310).

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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

  1. Cereal grains

    $24.8B

  2. Machinery

    $20.9B

  3. Other ag prods.

    $18.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Cereal grains with $24.8B, followed by Machinery ($20.9B) and Other ag prods. ($18.7B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa state.

$265B

2020 Value

$363B

Projected 2045 Value

36.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $265B. This is expected to increase 36.7% to $363B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. Illinois

    $28.9B

  2. Minnesota

    $17.7B

  3. Nebraska

    $12.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $28.9B, followed by Minnesota with $17.7B and Nebraska and $12.5B.

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

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Health

91.8% of the population of Des Moines, IA has health coverage, with 47.1% on employee plans, 24.3% on Medicaid, 8.47% on Medicare, 10.9% on non-group plans, and 1.01% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Des Moines, IA see 1363 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.04% increase from the previous year (1349 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1561 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 756 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Appanoose County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (13.3%). Additionally, Union County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,363 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Iowa see an average of 1,363 patients per year. This represents a 1.04% increase from the previous year (1,349 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Iowa in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

8.19%

Uninsured

47.1%

Employer Coverage

24.3%

Medicaid

8.47%

Medicare

10.9%

Non-Group

1.01%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Des Moines, IA declined by 8.96% from 8.99% to 8.19%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Appanoose County

    13.3% prevalence

  2. Crawford County

    12.6% prevalence

  3. Harrison County

    12.1% prevalence

Appanoose County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Iowa, at 13.3%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Iowa by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Des Moines, IA is home to a population of 215k people, from which 92.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 12.3% of Des Moines, IA residents were born outside of the country (26.5k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Des Moines, IA is composed of 143k White Alone residents (66.5%), 28.1k Hispanic or Latino residents (13.1%), 22.9k Black or African American Alone residents (10.7%), 12.7k Asian Alone residents (5.92%), 6.95k Two or More Races residents (3.24%), 609 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.284%), 487 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.227%), and 150 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0698%).

Age

Age by Nativity

33

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

39

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Des Moines, IA was 33.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 33, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Des Moines, IA are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Des Moines, IA residents was 34.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

12.3%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

26.5k people

11.9%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

25.2k people

As of 2017, 12.3% of Des Moines, IA residents (26.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Des Moines, IA was 11.9%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    41,844 ± 4,988 people

  2. China

    10,526 ± 2,515 people

  3. India

    10,455 ± 2,506 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,844 Iowa residents, followed by China with 10,526 and India with 10,455.

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Citizenship

92.4%

2017 Citizenship

92.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 92.4% of Des Moines, IA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Des Moines, IA was 92.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    143k ± 1.41k

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    28.1k ± 1.73k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    22.9k ± 1.02k

In 2017, there were 5.09 times more White Alone residents (143k people) in Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.1k Hispanic or Latino and 22.9k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Des Moines, IA as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    3,353 ± 289

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    1,939 ± 317

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,017 ± 167

Des Moines, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.73 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Des Moines, IA awarded 2,982 degrees. The student population of Des Moines, IA is skewed towards women, with 3,657 male students and 5,494 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Des Moines, IA are White (2,393 and 83.4%), followed by Asian (133 and 4.63%), Black or African American (110 and 3.83%), and Hispanic or Latino (91 and 3.17%).

The largest universities in Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Drake University (1,554 and 52.1%), Grand View University (646 and 21.7%), and Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (443 and 14.9%).

The most popular majors in Des Moines, IA are Registered Nursing (213 and 7.14%), Osteopathic Medicine (210 and 7.04%), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (111 and 3.72%).

The median tuition costs in Des Moines, IA are $25,836 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Marketing & Marketing Management

    111 degrees awarded

  2. General Finance

    80 degrees awarded

  3. Registered Nursing

    180 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Des Moines, IA was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 111 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Drake University

    1,554 degrees awarded

  2. Grand View University

    646 degrees awarded

  3. Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center

    443 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$25,836

Median Private

In 2017, the Des Moines, IA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Drake University with 1,554 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,171

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,811

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1,171 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Des Moines, IA, which is 0.647 times less than the 1,811 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Des Moines, IA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    2,393 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    133 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    110 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Des Moines, IA were to White students. These 2,393 degrees mean that there were 18 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 133 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Des Moines, IA was $123,300 in 2017, which is 0.537 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $119,800 to $123,300, a 2.92% increase. The homeownership rate in Des Moines, IA is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Des Moines, IA have an average commute time of 18.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Des Moines, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$123,300

2017 Median

± $1,591

$119,800

2016 Median

± $1,362

In 2017, the median property value in Des Moines, IA grew to to $123,300 from the previous year's value of $119,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Des Moines, 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, IA the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

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

$49,999

Median Household Income

± $1,156

83.9k

Number of Households

± 1,814

In 2017, the median household income of the 83.9k households in Des Moines, IA grew to $49,999 from the previous year's value of $48,088.

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.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Des Moines, IA 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.

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Rent vs Own

60%

2017 Homeownership

60.2%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 60% of the housing units in Des Moines, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 60.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Des Moines, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

18.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Des Moines, IA have a shorter commute time (18.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 0.99% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    80.6%

  2. Carpooled

    9.84%

  3. Worked At Home

    3.07%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Des Moines, IA was Drove Alone (80.6%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.84%) and those who Worked At Home (3.07%).

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.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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