Des Moines, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Des Moines, Iowa had a total population of 212,421, the 1st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,932, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Des Moines is the 1st largest city in Iowa with a population of 212,421.
Des Moines Quick Facts
How Des Moines Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 212,421 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $65,932 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $183,700 | $194,700 | +6.0% |
How Des Moines Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Des Moines Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Des Moines
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | $187,100 | 33.1% | 10.8% |
| Davenport | 100,913 | $66,200 | $166,400 | 29.9% | 15.2% |
| Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | $173,600 | 22.9% | 15.3% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | 65.8% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
Des Moines is a major urban center located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 212,421. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Des Moines is 34.6 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932. This is 12% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $194,700. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Des Moines is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (11.1% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.3% vs 7.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.6% vs 2.5%).
Education
29.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Des Moines, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines, Iowa has a population of 212,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Des Moines, IA?
The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Des Moines, IA?
The poverty rate in Des Moines is 14.9%. This means approximately 31,077 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines's population is 61.0% White, 11.1% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Des Moines, IA?
The median home value in Des Moines is $194,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Des Moines, Iowa?
29.7% of adults (25+) in Des Moines hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.