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
Population Overview
Total Population
69,893
Census 2023
Population Density
1,472
per square mile
Land Area
39.5
square miles (102.3 km²)
Median Age
36.5 yrs
6% below US avg (38.9 yrs)
Gender Distribution
50.1%
Male
49.9%
Female
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.4% US: 61.6% |
| Black | 3.6% US: 12.4% |
| Hispanic | 6.1% US: 18.7% |
| Asian | 7.3% US: 5.9% |
| Other | 2.6% |
City vs. U.S. Average
White
80.4%
Black
3.6%
Hispanic
6.1%
Asian
7.3%
Thin line = U.S. average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 86.4% US: 78.5% |
| Spanish | 13.6% US: 13.4% |
City vs. U.S. Average
English Only
86.4%
Spanish
13.6%
Thin line = U.S. average
Social Characteristics
Foreign Born
11.3%
Veterans
5.6%
7% below US avg (6%)
Disability
9.9%
24% below US avg (13%)
Health Insurance Coverage
95.9%
5% above US avg (91.4%)
Uninsured
4.1%
52% below US avg (8.6%)
Income Inequality (Gini)
0.433
US avg: 0.490 (0 = perfect equality, 1 = max inequality)
Complete Demographics Data
Population
| Total Population | 69,893 |
| Population Year | 2023 |
| Population Density | 1,472 / sq mi |
| Land Area | 39.5 sq mi |
| Median Age | 36.5 years |
Gender
| Male | 50.1% |
| Female | 49.9% |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.4% |
| Black or African American | 3.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.1% |
| Asian | 7.3% |
Language
| English Only | 86.4% |
| Spanish | 13.6% |
Social Indicators
| Foreign Born | 11.3% |
| Veterans | 5.6% |
| Disability | 9.9% |
| Health Insurance | 95.9% |
| Uninsured | 4.1% |
| Broadband Access | 92.6% |
| Gini Coefficient | 0.433 |
Classification
| USDA Rural-Urban Code | 2, Metro / 250K-1M |