Des Moines Flag

Des Moines

County:
Polk County
County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
88.162
State:
Iowa

Des Moines is a city located in Polk County, Iowa. Des Moines has a 2026 population of 212,759. It is also the county seat of Polk County. Des Moines is currently declining at a rate of -0.08% annually and its population has decreased by -0.47% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 213,769 in 2020.

The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932 with a poverty rate of 14.95%. The median age in Des Moines is 34.6 years: 34.2 years for males, and 34.9 years for females. For every 100 females there are 100.0 males.

212.8K
Total Population
2,413
Density (mi²)
-168 -0.08%
Growth

Des Moines Population

Des Moines Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
2026212,759-168-0.08%
2025212,927-169-0.08%
2024213,0962,0080.95%
2023211,0881380.07%
2022210,950-1,589-0.75%
2021212,539-1,230-0.58%
2020213,769-289-0.14%
2019214,877-1,427-0.66%
2018216,304-753-0.35%
2017217,0574750.22%
2016216,5821,1370.53%
2015215,4459320.43%
2014214,5132,3711.12%
2013212,1421,8150.86%
2012210,3272,3601.13%
2011207,9672,9251.43%
2010205,0421,6090.79%
2000198,6825,4952.84%
1990193,1872,1841.14%
1980191,003-10,401-5.16%
1970201,404-7,578-3.63%
1960208,98231,01717.43%
1950177,96518,14611.35%
1940159,81917,26012.11%
1930142,55916,09112.72%
1920126,46840,10046.43%
191086,36824,22938.99%
190062,13912,04624.05%
189050,09327,685123.55%
188022,40810,37386.19%
187012,0358,070203.53%
18603,96500%

Median Age

Overall: 34.6 years
Female: 34.9 years
Male: 34.2 years

Des Moines Adults

There are 163,192 adults, (27,045 of whom are seniors) in Des Moines.

Sex Ratio

Female: 106,187 (50%)
Male: 106,234 (50%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Des Moines includes 64.12% White, 11.28% Black or African American, 6.64% Asian, 6.35% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White136,20264.12%
Black or African American23,97011.28%
Two or more races23,33310.98%
Asian14,1056.64%
Other race13,4846.35%
Native American1,0890.51%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander2380.11%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Two or more races13,7786.49%
Other race12,6515.96%
White6,6573.13%
Native American8940.42%
Black or African American3960.19%
Asian1740.08%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander230.01%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White129,54560.99%
Black or African American23,57411.1%
Asian13,9316.56%
Two or more races9,5554.5%
Other race8330.39%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander2150.1%
Native American1950.09%

Des Moines Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Des Moines ' average per capita income is $48,002. Household income levels show a median of $65,932. The poverty rate stands at 14.95%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$102,389$128,154
Families$82,321$104,956
Households$65,932$86,645
Non Families$49,165$61,949

$48,002

Average Income

$65,932

Median Household Income

14.95%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)