West Des Moines, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County
3.8
/5.0
B+
Good
69,893
Population
1,472/sq mi density
$84,925
Median Income
$55,648 per capita
$286,300
Home Value
$322,185 Zillow
$1,194
Median Rent
25.5% income on rent
51°F
Avg Temperature
169
Violent Crime/100K
1,733 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$84,925 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$286,300 home value, $1,194/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
169 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
54.6% bachelor's degree or higher
West Des Moines experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. The area receives 36.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 928 ft (283 m) |
| Area | 39.5 sq mi (102.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,472/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5499°N, 93.7814°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 67.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
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 | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in |
West Des Moines has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (1.1").