City · Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, city, mostly in Polk County (66.3% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Dallas, Warren and Madison counties, Iowa. West Des Moines had 74,224 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 68,723 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 71,083 (±123). GEOID 1983910.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
74,224
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 68,723 · ACS 2020-2024: 71,083 ±123
Median household income
$86,594
±$2,354 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$309,000
±$10,613 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$1,237
±$30 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is West Des Moines and what county is it in?
West Des Moines is a city mostly in Polk County (66.3% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Dallas, Warren and Madison counties, Iowa. It covers 47.5 square miles of land, 1,447 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Des Moines is in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 45,582 | 66.3% |
| Dallas County | 22,912 | 33.3% |
| Warren County | 225 | 0.3% |
| Madison County | 4 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in West Des Moines, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 74,224 people lived in West Des Moines on July 1, 2025, up 8.0% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 68,723 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 71,083 (±123).
| Measure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 71,083 ±123 | 503,175 | +5,477 |
| Households | 32,233 ±841 | 205,358 | +3,397 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.06 | 2.41 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 34,006 ±812 | 218,486 | +3,040 |
West Des Moines's population since 2000
From 46,403 in 2000 to 74,224 in 2025: up 60.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for West Des Moines as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in West Des Moines?
The median resident of West Des Moines is 36.0 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.5%. 10.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.0 ±1.1 | 36.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±1.2 pts | 24.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.1% ±0.7 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Male | 49.2% ±1.1 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.5% ±1.2 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.4% ±2.2 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±1.0 pts | 7.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.3% ±1.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.9% ±1.5 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.4% ±1.7 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4% ±0.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 9.9% ±1.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8% ±0.9 pts | 5.3% | +1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.3% ±1.0 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 54.9% ±2.4 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.1% ±1.5 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 80.1% ±1.9 pts | 85.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9% ±0.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in West Des Moines earn?
Half of West Des Moines's 32,233 households earn less than $86,594 a year (±$2,354), against $83,576 in Polk County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $93,986 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,392 after inflation. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,594 ±$2,354 | $83,576 | −$7,392 |
| Mean household income | $123,759 ±$5,346 | $109,398 | – |
| Per capita income | $57,275 ±$2,565 | $45,622 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.4% ±1.6 pts | 10.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.0% ±3.7 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.3% ±1.4 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.6% ±0.7 pts | 96.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.4% ±1.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in West Des Moines?
Owners occupy 57.4% of West Des Moines's occupied homes and renters 42.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $309,000 by its owner (±$10,613). The median renter pays $1,237 a month including utilities, and 32.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $309,000 ±$10,613 | $262,100 | +$40,093 |
| Median gross rent | $1,237 ±$30 | $1,149 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.7% ±3.6 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,845 ±$56 | $1,741 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.4% ±2.3 pts | 67.4% | −3.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 42.6% ±2.3 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Housing units | 34,006 ±812 | 218,486 | +3,040 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1% ±2.3 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.6% ±2.2 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.7% ±1.7 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2% ±0.9 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is West Des Moines building?
Builders took permits for 344 new housing units in West Des Moines in 2025 (252 in single-family houses), 4.6 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in West Des Moines work and get to work?
71.0% of West Des Moines's workers drive alone and 19.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.4%.
| Measure | West Des Moines | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.7% ±1.3 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4% ±0.7 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.0% ±2.2 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8% ±1.3 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.1% ±1.8 pts | 15.7% | +14.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.3 min ±0.8 | 20.0 min | +1.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in West Des Moines?
16 census tracts lie mostly in West Des Moines, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $55,500 (Tract 111.11) to $122,333 (Tract 110.25).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 110.27Polk County | 7,051 | $100,917 |
| Tract 110.26Polk County | 5,875 | $96,549 |
| Tract 508.14Dallas County | 5,524 | $108,988 |
| Tract 508.16Dallas County | 5,481 | $95,510 |
| Tract 111.11Polk County | 5,156 | $55,500 |
| Tract 110.21Polk County | 5,098 | $113,915 |
| Tract 110.25Polk County | 4,267 | $122,333 |
| Tract 110.28Polk County | 5,306 | $75,404 |
| Tract 508.15Dallas County | 4,180 | $81,882 |
| Tract 111.12Polk County | 4,107 | $87,404 |
| Tract 111.14Polk County | 3,914 | $57,222 |
| Tract 110.01Polk County | 3,680 | $61,306 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in West Des Moines) · Census block assignment files
How does West Des Moines compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, West Des Moines is the 523rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 7th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
West Des Moines ranks 68th of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 7th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 23rd | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 58th | 279 |
| Median household income | 68th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 7th | 279 |
| Median home value | 24th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 16th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 154th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th | 279 |
| Median age | 222nd | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 269th | 279 |
| Work from home | 16th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 183rd | 279 |
West Des Moines's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare West Des Moines with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for West Des Moines?
4 of the 57 figures for West Des Moines on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for West Des Moines are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in West Des Moines.