West Des Moines, IA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

71,083

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

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 (451 degrees awarded in 2024) and Aveda Institute-Des Moines (155 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 States Iowa Dallas County, IA Madison County, IA Polk County, IA Warren County, IA Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Jasper, Marion, Warren Counties PUMA, IA Polk County (West) PUMA, IA Des Moines City PUMA, IA Dallas, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Des Moines, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
55k ± 1.54k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
4.5k ± 1.07k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
3.58k ± 710

6.48%

Hispanic Population

4.6k people

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.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
44,333 ± 5,134 people
India
11,889 ± 2,672 people
Guatemala
8,189 ± 2,219 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 44,333 Iowa residents, followed by India with 11,889 and Guatemala with 8,189.

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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
940 ± 344
Vietnam
657 ± 186
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in West Des Moines, IA awarded 606 degrees. The student population of West Des Moines, IA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 667 male students and 1,111 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Des Moines, IA are White (411 and 68%), Unknown (68 and 11.3%), Asian (61 and 10.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (33 and 5.46%).

The largest universities in West Des Moines, IA by number of degrees awarded are Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center (451 and 74.4%) and Aveda Institute-Des Moines (155 and 25.6%).

The most popular majors in West Des Moines, IA are Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (211 and 34.8%), Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (85 and 14%), and General Cosmetology (70 and 11.6%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 1,778 students enrolled in West Des Moines, IA, 37.5% men and 62.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,206 records, of which 62.9% were women and 37.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
211 degrees awarded
Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry
53 degrees awarded
Physical Therapy
48 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Professional Doctorate recipients in West Des Moines, IA was Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy with 211 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.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center
451 degrees awarded
Aveda Institute-Des Moines
155 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center with 451 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 210 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Des Moines, IA, which is 0.53 times less than the 396 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 411 degrees mean that there were 6.04 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 68 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.

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.

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.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.435

2024 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2024, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.435 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.29% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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 2024

Drove Alone (71%)
Worked At Home (19.1%)
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.

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.

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

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.