Iowa Gazetteer
Also See Des Moines, IA: ZIP Codes & Maps
The City of Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa with a population of 212,421 as of 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Des Moines ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Iowa. See peer rankings below.
The primary coordinate point for Des Moines is located at latitude 41.6005 and longitude -93.6091 in Polk County. The formal boundaries for the City of Des Moines encompass a land area of 88.97 sq. miles and a water area of 1.8 sq. miles. Polk County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).
The City of Des Moines has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.
The City of Des Moines is located within Township of Lee, a minor civil division (MCD) of Polk County.
Source: 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
POPULATION | |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 212,421 (100%) |
| Population Density | 2,410 per sq mi |
| Diversity Index1 | 58 |
INCOME | |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 |
| Per Capita Income | $37,863 |
| Median Home Value | $194,700 |
HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total HU (Housing Units) | 97,604 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 54,506 (55.8%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 35,599 (36.5%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 7,499 (7.7%) |
HOUSEHOLDS | |
| Total Households | 90,105 |
| Average Household Size | 2.30 |
| Family Households | 48,036 (53.3%) |
The table below compares Des Moines to the other 1,026 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Iowa by rank and percentile using 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.
| Variable Description | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | # 1 | 100th |
| Population Density | # 7 | 99th |
| Median Household Income | # 535 | 48th |
| Per Capita Income | # 343 | 67th |
| Diversity Index | # 7 | 99th |
Additional comparisons and rankings can be made with a VERY EASY TO USE Iowa Census Data Comparison Tool.
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