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 2025 population of 208,084. It is also the county seat of Polk County. Des Moines is currently declining at a rate of -0.55% annually and its population has decreased by -2.69% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 213,826 in 2020.

The average household income in Des Moines is $83,728 with a poverty rate of 14.88%. The median age in Des Moines is 34.6 years: 34.4 years for males, and 34.9 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Des Moines includes 66.88% White, 12.04% Black or African American, 6.24% Asian, 5.19% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Asian

Other race

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	142,098	66.88%
Black or African American	25,577	12.04%
Two or more races	19,410	9.14%
Asian	13,265	6.24%
Other race	11,025	5.19%
Native American	998	0.47%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	91	0.04%

Des Moines Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Des Moines' average per capita income is $46,385. Household income levels show a median of $63,966. The poverty rate stands at 14.88%.

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	$96,943	$123,849
Families	$80,266	$101,291
Households	$63,966	$83,728
Non Families	$47,411	$59,471

$46,385

Average Income

$63,966

Median Household Income

14.88%

Poverty Rate