West Des Moines, IA

Census Place

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2023 Population

69,893

1.67% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2023 Median Age

36.5

0.829% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

7.28%

3.36% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$84,925

3.13% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$286,300

7.35% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

40,715

1.22% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, West Des Moines, IA had a population of 69.9k people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $84,925. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of West Des Moines, IA grew from 68,744 to 69,893, a 1.67% increase and its median household income grew from $82,345 to $84,925, a 3.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Des Moines, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (78.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (7.25%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.55%), and White (Hispanic) (2.11%).

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.

93.7% of the residents in West Des Moines, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA are Aveda Institute-Des Moines (128 degrees awarded in 2022).

In 2023, the median property value in West Des Moines, IA was $286,300, and the homeownership rate was 57.4%.

Most people in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.8 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 States Iowa Dallas County, IA Madison County, IA Polk County, IA Warren County, IA Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Des Moines City PUMA, IA Jasper, Marion, Warren Counties PUMA, IA Polk County (West) PUMA, IA Dallas, Madison Counties PUMA, IA

Population & Diversity

West Des Moines, IA is home to a population of 69.9k people, from which 93.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 11.1% of West Des Moines, IA residents were born outside of the country (7.75k people).

In 2023, there were 10.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.7k people) in West Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.07k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.08k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.7%

2023 Citizenship

94.4%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 93.7% of West Des Moines, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in West Des Moines, IA was 94.4%, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Des Moines, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
54.7k ± 1.55k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
5.07k ± 1.07k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.08k ± 756

6.08%

Hispanic Population

4.25k people

6.08% of the people in West Des Moines, IA are hispanic (4.25k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in West 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
42,604 ± 5,034 people
India
12,351 ± 2,723 people
Vietnam
7,795 ± 2,165 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,604 Iowa residents, followed by India with 12,351 and Vietnam with 7,795.

Foreign-Born Population

11.1%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

7.75k people

10.6%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

7.3k people

As of 2023, 11.1% of West Des Moines, IA residents (7.75k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Des Moines, IA was 10.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,057 ± 304
Vietnam
689 ± 186
Gulf War (1990s)
460 ± 198

West Des Moines, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.53 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of West Des Moines, IA employs 40.7k people. The largest industries in West Des Moines, IA are Finance & Insurance (7,149 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,871 people), and Retail Trade (4,539 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($104,277), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($101,771), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($86,375).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $54,745. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.442, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

40.7k

2023 Value

± 1,866

1.22%

1 Year growth

± 6.36%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 1.22%, from 40.2k employees to 40.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Des Moines, IA, are Business & Financial Operations Occupations (4,736 people), Management Occupations (4,670 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,424 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Des Moines, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

40.7k

2023 Value

± 1,866

1.22%

1 Year growth

± 6.36%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 1.22%, from 40.2k employees to 40.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Des Moines, IA, are Finance & Insurance (7,149 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,871 people), and Retail Trade (4,539 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$65,341

Median earning men ± $3,549

$45,919

Median earning women ± $2,522

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($99,625), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($87,150), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($85,053).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Wholesale Trade ($93,125), Public Administration ($78,443), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($68,837).

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.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for West Des Moines, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
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.

Senator 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 Representative 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 2022, universities in West Des Moines, IA awarded 128 degrees. The student population of West Des Moines, IA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 1 male students and 179 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Des Moines, IA are White (98 and 76.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (12 and 9.38%), Black or African American (6 and 4.69%), and Asian (5 and 3.91%).

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Aveda Institute-Des Moines (128 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Des Moines, IA are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (63 and 49.2%), General Cosmetology (61 and 47.7%), and Massage Therapy (4 and 3.13%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2022 there were 180 students enrolled in West Des Moines, IA, 0.556% men and 99.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 140 records, of which 100% were women and 0% men.

Completions

Concentrations

General Cosmetology

Most Common

61 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in West Des Moines, IA was General Cosmetology with 61 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in West Des Moines, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Aveda Institute-Des Moines

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

128 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Aveda Institute-Des Moines with 128 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2022, 2 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Des Moines, IA, which is 0.0159 times less than the 126 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 98 degrees mean that there were 8.17 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 12 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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 0.66% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.685% 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 2022 were High School or Equivalent (751k), Some college (564k), and Bachelors Degree (469k).

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 West Des Moines, IA was $286,300 in 2023, which is 0.944 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $266,700 to $286,300, a 7.35% increase. The homeownership rate in West Des Moines, IA is 57.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in West Des Moines, IA have an average commute time of 17.8 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.

Median household income in West Des Moines, IA is $84,925. In 2023, the place with the highest median household income in West Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 110.25 with a value of $121,154, followed by Census Tract 110.21 and Census Tract 110.27, with respective values of $112,045 and $99,684.

Housing

Property

$286,300

Median Property Value 2023

±$7,658

$18,252

Median Property Taxes

±$984

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.

Rent vs Own

57.4%

Homeownership

2023

67.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 57.4% of the housing units in West Des Moines, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in West 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 110.25
Census Tract 110.21
Census Tract 110.27

In 2023, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 110.25 with a value of $121,154, followed by Census Tract 110.21 and Census Tract 110.27, with respective values of $112,045 and $99,684.

The following map shows all of the places in West 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.

$84,925

Median Household Income

± $2,994

31.8k

Number of Households

± 1,530

In 2023, the median household income of the 31.8k households in West Des Moines, IA grew to $84,925 from the previous year's value of $82,345.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.442

2022 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2022, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.442 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.723% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less 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 2023

Drove Alone (71.9%)
Worked At Home (17.3%)
Carpooled (7.79%)

In 2023, 71.9% of workers in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (17.3%) and those who carpooled to work (7.79%).

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

17.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Des Moines, IA have a shorter commute time (17.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 1.03% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

7.28% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Des Moines, IA (5.06k out of 69.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 25 - 34.

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

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

95.9% of the population of West Des Moines, IA has health coverage, with 62.7% on employee plans, 10.2% on Medicaid, 10.8% on Medicare, 11.2% on non-group plans, and 0.912% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Polk County, IA see 1032 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.683% increase from the previous year (1025 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1294 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 325 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,032 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, IA

Primary care physicians in Polk County, IA see an average of 1,032 patients per year. This represents a 0.683% increase from the previous year (1,025 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 25.9% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

4.06%

Uninsured

62.7%

Employer Coverage

10.2%

Medicaid

10.8%

Medicare

11.2%

Non-Group

0.912%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Des Moines, IA grew by 7.53% from 3.78% to 4.06%.

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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