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Des Moines, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County
3.3
/5.0
B
Good
212,464
Population
2,410/sq mi density
$63,966
Median Income
$36,459 per capita
$183,700
Home Value
$204,843 Zillow
$1,054
Median Rent
28.8% income on rent
53°F
Avg Temperature
290 sunny days/yr
712
Violent Crime/100K
4,091 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$63,966 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$183,700 home value, $1,054/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
712 violent crimes/100K (87% above avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
29.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Des Moines experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 290 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 27.4 inches. The area receives 23.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.3°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Area | 90.7 sq mi (235.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5726°N, 93.6102°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0449 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 10.2 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.4 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Des Moines has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (1.0").