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Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is named after the Des Moines River, likely derived from the French Rivière des Moines meaning 'River of the Monks'. The city was incorporated in 1851 as Fort Des Moines and shortened to Des Moines in 1857. Its population was 214,133 at the 2020 census. The six-county Des Moines metropolitan area has an estimated 750,000 residents, the largest metropolitan area located entirely in Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County, with parts south of County Line Road extending into Warren County.

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo: Wikipedia

Population
213,164
U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimate
Median home value
$170,700
Owner-occupied units · ACS estimate
Homeownership rate
60.3%
Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied
Median household income
$62,378
U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimate
Median gross rent
$995/mo
ACS 5-year estimate
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— Community profile

Who lives in Des Moines.

Bachelor's degree or higher
Among adults 25 and older
28.7%
Median age
All residents
34.4 years
Poverty rate
Individuals below poverty line
15.2%
Unemployment rate
Civilian labor force
5.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

— Location

Where is Des Moines?

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

— Education

Schools in Des Moines.

Preschool / Pre-K

  • ChildServe Woodland Center
  • Childtime of Des Moines
  • Child Development Center

Elementary School

  • Jefferson Elementary School
  • Greenwood Elementary School
  • Hubbell Elementary School
  • Perkins Elementary School
  • Edmunds Elementary School
  • King Elementary School
  • Monroe Elementary School
  • Granger Elementary School
  • Jackson Elementary School
  • Howe Elementary School
  • McKinley Elementary School
  • Capitol View Elementary School
  • Logan Elementary School
  • Oak Park Elementary School
  • Findley Elementary School
  • Cattell Elementary School

Middle School

  • Brody Middle School
  • Callanan Junior High School
  • Weeks Junior High School
  • Hiatt Junior High School

High School

  • Theodore Roosevelt High School
  • Lincoln High School
  • North High School

College

  • Mercy College of Health Sciences

University

  • Des Moines University
  • Grand View University

Other

  • Washington School
  • Brooks School
  • Saint Augustin School
  • Des Moines Central Campus
  • Des Moines Central Academy
  • School of Metaphysics
  • Saint John's School
  • Jesse Franklin Taylor Education Center
  • Des Moines Public Schools Bus Garage
  • Park Avenue School
  • Saint Anthony Catholic School
  • Holy Family School
  • All Saints School
  • Phillips Traditional School
View ratings on GreatSchools
— Nearby

What's around Des Moines.

Parks

  • American Enterprise Group Art Park
  • Ashfield Park
  • Ashworth Park
  • Bates Park
  • Beaverdale Park
  • Brody School Park
  • Carpenter Square
  • Center Street Park

Grocery

  • ALDI
  • Cash Saver
  • El Palmino
  • Fareway
  • Gateway Market
  • Hilal Groceries
  • Hy-Vee
  • Jung's Oriental Food Store

Dining

  • 801 Chophouse
  • Akebono
  • Almost Famous Popcorn Company
  • Bernardo's Burritos
  • Black Cat Ice Cream
  • Blaze Pizza
  • Blue Sushi Sake Grill
  • Burger Shop

Data: OpenStreetMap contributors · within 3 km of city center

— Weather

Current conditions.

This Afternoon
87°F
Sunny
ENE 7 mph wind
Tonight
65°F
Clear
E 1 to 6 mph wind
Sunday
89°F
Sunny
E 3 mph wind
Sunday Night
66°F
Clear
SE 3 mph wind

Live forecast · National Weather Service · updated every 3 hours

— Ready to make a move?

Find your home in Des Moines.