At a Glance
Median Income
$84,925
$55,648 per capita
Home Value
$286,300
Zillow: $316,621
Median Rent
$1,194/mo
25.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
186/100K
2,505/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
54.6%
96.3% high school+
Unemployment
1.8%
5.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
33.7%
10.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
51°F
275 sunny days/yr
How West Des Moines Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows West Des Moines's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is West Des Moines a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.9 / 5.0 — Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
West Des Moines residents earn a median household income of $84,925 , which is 13% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $55,648. The unemployment rate stands at 1.8% (50% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 20,581 business establishments, including 1,227 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in West Des Moines is $286,300 , 2% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $316,621. Median rent is $1,194/month, with 25.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1992.
Safety & Crime
West Des Moines reports 186 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 51% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,505/100K. The murder rate is 0.0/100K.
Education
54.6% of adults in West Des Moines hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(62% above the national average).
96.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
West Des Moines has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C).
Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Data Overview
People
Population69,893
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,472/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans5.6%
Economy
A+
Median Income$84,925
Per Capita$55,648
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$63,823M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
Housing
A+
Home Value$286,300
Rent$1,194
Ownership57.4%
Zillow$316,621
Housing Units33,263
Rent Burden25.5%
Crime
F
Violent186/100K
Property2,505/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault135/100K
Burglary218/100K
Health
Obesity33.7%
Diabetes8.5%
Smoking10.7%
Heart Disease4.6%
Premature Death7,653/100K
Climate
Avg Temp51°F
Sunny Days275/yr
Rain36.6 in/yr
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation928 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+54.6%
High School+96.3%
Graduate+18.4%
School Score5.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute18 min
Broadband92.6%
Internet Speed130 Mbps
EV Stations15
Libraries19
Did You Know?
West Des Moines was founded in 1893.
The median home in West Des Moines was built in 1992.
17.3% work from home.
The nearest airport is Des Moines International (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.433 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
9.2% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 130 Mbps.
There are 1,227 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 33 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.
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