West Des Moines, IA

Census Place

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2024 Population
71,083
US Senator
Chuck Grassley
Republican Party
US Senator
Joni Ernst
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
36
1.37% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
8.4%
15.3% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$86,594
1.97% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$309,000
7.93% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
40,819
0.255% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in West 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.

93.6% of the residents in West Des Moines, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA are Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (465 degrees awarded in 2023) and Aveda Institute-Des Moines (119 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in West Des Moines, IA was $309,000, and the homeownership rate was 57.4%.

Most people in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.3 minutes. The average car ownership in West Des Moines, IA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Raccoon River At Walnut Woods State Park, Iowa
Photo by Christine Warner Hawks
United StatesIowaDallas County, IAMadison County, IAPolk County, IAWarren County, IADes Moines-West Des Moines, IADes Moines City PUMA, IAJasper, Marion, Warren Counties PUMA, IAPolk County (West) PUMA, IADallas, Madison Counties PUMA, IA

Population & Diversity

West Des Moines, IA is home to a population of 71.1k people, from which 93.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.6% of West Des Moines, IA residents were born outside of the country (7.56k people).

In 2024, there were 12.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55k people) in West Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.58k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.6%
2024 Citizenship
93.7%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 93.6% of West Des Moines, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Des Moines, IA was 93.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Des Moines, IA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    55k ± 1.54k
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    4.5k ± 1.07k
  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    3.58k ± 710
6.48%
Hispanic Population
4.6k people

In 2024, there were 12.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55k people) in West Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.58k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

6.48% of the people in West Des Moines, IA are hispanic (4.6k people).

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

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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
    42,808 ± 5,046 people
  2. India
    12,283 ± 2,716 people
  3. China
    7,889 ± 2,178 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,808 Iowa residents, followed by India with 12,283 and China with 7,889.

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Foreign-Born Population

10.6%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
7.56k people
11.1%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
7.75k people

As of 2024, 10.6% of West Des Moines, IA residents (7.56k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Des Moines, IA was 11.1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    940 ± 344
  2. Vietnam
    657 ± 186
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    550 ± 236

West Des Moines, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.43 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Des Moines, IA.

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Economy

The economy of West Des Moines, IA employs 40.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in West Des Moines, IA were Finance & Insurance (7,045 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,313 people), and Retail Trade (4,383 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($107,870), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($104,167), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($87,318).

Employment

Occupations

40.8k
2024 Value
± 1,797
0.255%
1 Year growth
± 6.34%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 0.255%, from 40.7k employees to 40.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Des Moines, IA, are Management Occupations (4,772 people), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (4,617 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,200 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Des Moines, IA.

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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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Industries

Employment by Industries

40.8k
2024 Value
± 1,797
0.255%
1 Year growth
± 6.34%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 0.255%, from 40.7k employees to 40.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Des Moines, IA, are Finance & Insurance (7,045 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,313 people), and Retail Trade (4,383 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Des Moines, IA, though some of these residents may live in West Des Moines, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$66,006
Median earning men ± $2,484
$48,099
Median earning women ± $2,386

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($100,057), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($93,790), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($87,837).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($95,114), Public Administration ($74,444), and Manufacturing ($69,318).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.
Y-Axis
1.48%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.57M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 1.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

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

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

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 Elections

Voting results are not available for West Des Moines, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (42.5%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.789%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.
Chuck Grassley
Senator from Iowa3
Assumed office on January 3, 1981
Joni Ernst
Senator from Iowa2
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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in West Des Moines, IA awarded 584 degrees. The student population of West Des Moines, IA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 702 male students and 998 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Des Moines, IA are White (465 and 79.6%), Asian (50 and 8.56%), Hispanic or Latino (23 and 3.94%), and Black or African American (20 and 3.42%).

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (465 and 79.6%) and Aveda Institute-Des Moines (119 and 20.4%).

The most popular majors in West Des Moines, IA are Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (202 and 34.6%), General Cosmetology (65 and 11.1%), and Physician Assistant (58 and 9.93%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 1,700 students enrolled in West Des Moines, IA, 41.3% men and 58.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,137 records, of which 57.7% were women and 42.3% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
    202 degrees awarded
  2. Physical Therapy
    52 degrees awarded
  3. Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry
    50 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Professional Doctorate recipients in West Des Moines, IA was Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy with 202 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center
    465 degrees awarded
  2. Aveda Institute-Des Moines
    119 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center with 465 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 210 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Des Moines, IA, which is 0.561 times less than the 374 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 465 degrees mean that there were 9.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 50 degrees awarded.

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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.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in West Des Moines, IA was $309,000 in 2024, which is 0.929 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $286,300 to $309,000, a 7.93% increase. The homeownership rate in West Des Moines, IA is 57.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Des Moines, IA have an average commute time of 18.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Des Moines, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$309,000
Median Property Value 2024
±$10,613
$18,491
Median Property Taxes
±$1,010

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 West Des Moines, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

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Rent vs Own

57.4%
Homeownership
2024
63.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 57.4% of the housing units in West Des Moines, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 57.4%.

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

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$86,594
Median Household Income
± $2,354
32.2k
Number of Households
± 1,512

In 2024, the median household income of the 32.2k households in West Des Moines, IA grew to $86,594 from the previous year's value of $84,925.

The following chart displays the households in West 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 $200k+ range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West Des Moines, IA is from Iowa.
0.441
2023 Wage GINI in Iowa
0.442
2022 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2023, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.304% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (71%)
  2. Worked At Home (19.1%)
  3. Carpooled (6.84%)

In 2024, 71% of workers in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (19.1%) and those who carpooled to work (6.84%).

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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Commute Time

18.3 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Des Moines, IA have a shorter commute time (18.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.18% of the workforce in West Des Moines, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

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

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

8.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Des Moines, IA (5.93k out of 70.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Des Moines, IA is White, followed by Asian and Two Or More.

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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Health

95.2% of the population of West Des Moines, IA has health coverage, with 60.6% on employee plans, 11.5% on Medicaid, 11.3% on Medicare, 11.1% on non-group plans, and 0.809% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Iowa see 1,385 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,385 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1411 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 466 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.7% under 18 years, 27% between 18 and 34 years, 36.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

4.79%
Uninsured
60.6%
Employer Coverage
11.5%
Medicaid
11.3%
Medicare
11.1%
Non-Group
0.809%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Des Moines, IA grew by 18% from 4.06% to 4.79%.

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

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