County · Iowa
Des Moines County, Iowa
Des Moines County, Iowa. Des Moines County had 38,077 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 11 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 19057.
Des Moines County is one of the 2 counties of the Burlington, IA-IL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
38,077
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 38,910 · ACS 2020-2024: 38,487
Median household income
$62,928
±$3,409 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$136,500
±$6,983 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$904
±$71 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Des Moines County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 38,910 residents in Des Moines County. The Census Bureau estimates 38,077 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 38,487 over 416 square miles of land.
| Measure | Des Moines County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 38,487 | 3,210,507 | −899 |
| Households | 17,178±316 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.20±0.04 | 2.36 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 18,802±32 | 1,437,699 | +199 |
Des Moines County's population since 2000
From 42,351 in 2000 to 38,077 in 2025: down 10.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Des Moines County?
Des Moines County holds 11 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Burlington with 23,336 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Burlington | 23,982 | $59,000 |
|---|---|---|
| West Burlington | 3,197 | $48,542 |
| Mediapolis | 1,688 | $75,543 |
| Danville | 927 | $80,192 |
| BeaverdaleGEOID 1905200 | 880 | $57,357 |
| Middletown | 363 | $56,750 |
| Oak HillsGEOID 1958048 | 186 | $250,000 or more |
| SperryGEOID 1974325 | 124 | $67,050 |
| KingstonGEOID 1941430 | 81 | $73,333 |
| YarmouthGEOID 1987330 | 61 | not published |
| AugustaGEOID 1903700 | 51 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Des Moines County?
The median resident of Des Moines County is 42.3 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.5%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Des Moines County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3±0.7 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 7.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.5%±0.6 pts | 82.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5%±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.5%±1.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.7%±1.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.8%±1.7 pts | 31.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.5%±0.9 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 Des Moines County earn?
Half of Des Moines County's 17,178 households earn less than $62,928 a year (±$3,409), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $63,094 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Des Moines County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,928±$3,409 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,523±$4,053 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,662±$1,579 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.8%±1.8 pts | 11.1% | −3.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.3%±4.4 pts | 12.9% | −8.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.3%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Des Moines County?
Owners occupy 74.6% of Des Moines County's occupied homes and renters 25.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $136,500 by its owner (±$6,983). The median renter pays $904 a month including utilities, and 43.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Des Moines County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $136,500±$6,983 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $904±$71 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.4%±7.0 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,250±$53 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.6%±2.6 pts | 71.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Housing units | 18,802±32 | 1,437,699 | +199 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±2.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.7%±1.9 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5%±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.0%±2.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 Des Moines County building?
Builders took permits for 81 new housing units across Des Moines County in 2025 (19 single-family), 2.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Des Moines County get to work?
82.8% of Des Moines County's workers drive alone and 4.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Des Moines County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.8%±1.4 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.8%±2.1 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.2%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.0 min±1.2 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
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 are Des Moines County's census tracts?
Des Moines County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,337 (Tract 3) to $90,848 (Tract 12).
| Tract 219057000200 | 2,839±423 | $61,813 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 319057000300 | 3,618±406 | $35,337 |
| Tract 419057000400 | 3,464±429 | $40,893 |
| Tract 519057000500 | 4,463±428 | $63,191 |
| Tract 619057000600 | 3,461±425 | $61,062 |
| Tract 719057000700 | 3,209±334 | $78,750 |
| Tract 819057000800 | 3,493±154 | $55,050 |
| Tract 919057000900 | 3,351±381 | $78,807 |
| Tract 1019057001000 | 4,643±353 | $82,232 |
| Tract 1119057001100 | 3,376±356 | $69,688 |
| Tract 1219057001200 | 2,570±306 | $90,848 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Des Moines County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 16th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 72nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 99 |
| Median household income | 85th of 99 |
| Median home value | 76th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th of 99 |
| Median age | 48th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Des Moines County 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' school search.