West Des Moines, IA

Census Place

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2020 Population

66,724

1.7% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

35.7

2.72% 1-year decrease

2018 Poverty Rate

6.73%

8.32% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$74,159

2.89% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$228,300

4.49% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, West Des Moines, IA had a population of 66.7k people with a median age of 35.7 and a median household income of $74,159. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of West Des Moines, IA grew from 65,606 to 66,724, a 1.7% increase and its median household income declined from $76,368 to $74,159, a −2.89% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Des Moines, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (80.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.52%), White (Hispanic) (4.54%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.94%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.97%).

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.

94.2% 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 (132 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2020, the median property value in West Des Moines, IA was $228,300, and the homeownership rate was 59.5%.

Most people in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.3 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 States Iowa Dallas County, IA Madison County, IA Polk County, IA Warren County, IA Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Warren, Jasper, Marion, Dallas (West) & Madison Counties PUMA, IA West Des Moines & Urbandale Cities PUMA, IA

Population & Diversity

West Des Moines, IA is home to a population of 66.7k people, from which 94.2% are citizens. As of 2020, 11.1% of West Des Moines, IA residents were born outside of the country (7.38k people).

In 2020, there were 12.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (53.6k people) in West Des Moines, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.35k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.03k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

94.2%

2020 Citizenship

93.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 94.2% of West Des Moines, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in West Des Moines, IA was 93.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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)
53.6k ± 1.32k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
4.35k ± 849
White (Hispanic)
3.03k ± 840

6.05%

Hispanic Population

4.04k people

6.05% of the people in West Des Moines, IA are hispanic (4.04k people).

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

Foreign-Born Population

11.1%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

7.38k people

12.4%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

8.12k people

As of 2020, 11.1% of West Des Moines, IA residents (7.38k 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 West Des Moines, IA was 12.4%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
832 ± 290
Vietnam
657 ± 191
Gulf War (1990s)
564 ± 224

West Des Moines, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.27 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of West Des Moines, IA employs 37.8k people. The largest industries in West Des Moines, IA are Finance & Insurance (7,362 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,235 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,685 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($131,458), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($93,333), and Utilities ($88,995).

Employment

Occupations

37.8k

2020 Value

± 1,767

0.759%

1 Year growth

± 6.04%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 0.759%, from 37.5k employees to 37.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Des Moines, IA, are Management Occupations (4,686 people), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (4,494 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,027 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 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

37.8k

2020 Value

± 1,767

0.759%

1 Year growth

± 6.04%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in West Des Moines, IA grew at a rate of 0.759%, from 37.5k employees to 37.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Des Moines, IA, are Finance & Insurance (7,362 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (5,235 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (3,685 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

$56,159

Median earning men ± $2,275

$41,259

Median earning women ± $1,804

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($83,125), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($82,250), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($71,886).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($100,217), Construction ($65,870), and Public Administration ($62,118).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% 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
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

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 Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

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.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.16%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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 2021, universities in West Des Moines, IA awarded 132 degrees. The student population of West Des Moines, IA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 8 male students and 318 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Des Moines, IA are White (114 and 86.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (9 and 6.82%), Two or More Races (4 and 3.03%), and Unknown (4 and 3.03%).

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Aveda Institute-Des Moines (132 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Des Moines, IA are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (61 and 46.2%), General Cosmetology (60 and 45.5%), and Massage Therapy (11 and 8.33%).

Completions

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 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 West Des Moines, IA was $228,300 in 2020, which is 0.993 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $218,500 to $228,300, a 4.49% increase. The homeownership rate in West Des Moines, IA is 59.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in West Des Moines, IA have an average commute time of 17.3 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.

Median household income in West Des Moines, IA is $74,159. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in West Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 110.25 with a value of $101,346, followed by Census Tract 110.21 and Census Tract 110.26, with respective values of $94,825 and $83,648.

Property

$228,300

Median Property Value 2020

±$6,764

$17,514

Median Property Taxes

±$954

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

59.5%

Homeownership

2020

66.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 59.5% of the housing units in West Des Moines, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 61.1%.

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 110.26

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Des Moines, IA was Census Tract 110.25 with a value of $101,346, followed by Census Tract 110.21 and Census Tract 110.26, with respective values of $94,825 and $83,648.

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.

$74,159

Median Household Income

± $2,400

29.4k

Number of Households

± 1,510

In 2020, the median household income of the 29.4k households in West Des Moines, IA declined from $74,159 from the previous year's value of $76,368.

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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West 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 (80.8%)
Worked At Home (8.28%)
Carpooled (8.05%)

In 2020, 80.8% of workers in West Des Moines, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.28%) and those who carpooled to work (8.05%).

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

17.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Des Moines, IA have a shorter commute time (17.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 0.853% 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

6.73% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Des Moines, IA (4.31k out of 64.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Males 55 - 64.

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

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

96.4% of the population of West Des Moines, IA has health coverage, with 64.7% on employee plans, 8.31% on Medicaid, 10.1% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 1.1% 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 1025 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0975% decrease from the previous year (1026 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1332 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 349 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,025 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Polk County, IA

Primary care physicians in Polk County, IA see an average of 1,025 patients per year. This represents a 0.0975% decrease from the previous year (1,026 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 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24% under 18 years, 25.5% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

3.57%

Uninsured

64.7%

Employer Coverage

8.31%

Medicaid

10.1%

Medicare

12.2%

Non-Group

1.1%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Des Moines, IA grew by 21.5% from 2.94% to 3.57%.

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.