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Neighborhood report

Des Moines, IA

Founded 1843Polk CountyElev. 291 m
Population
212,464
Median home
$183,700
Disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
Public schools
65
Sex offenders
16

Overview

About Des Moines

Des Moines is home to roughly 212,464 residents. Des Moines was founded in 1843 and sits in Polk County. The median age is 34.6 and the median household income is $63,966. Homes carry a median value of $183,700, and about 60% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (61.7%). Around 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 20 minutes.

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

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Who lives here

Demographics

Population
212,464
Median age
34.6
Median household income
$63,966
Per-capita income
$36,459
Poverty rate
14.9%
High-school grad or higher
87.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher
29%
Unemployment
5.7%
Avg. commute
19.6 min
Work from home
11.4%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White61.7%
Hispanic or Latino16%
Black11.8%
Asian6.2%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts36.9%
Sales & office20.5%
Service17.4%
Production, transportation & material moving16.1%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance9.1%

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

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$183,700
Median gross rent
$1,054/mo
Owner-occupied
60.4%
Median year built
1960
Households
90,085
Avg. household size
2.3

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Schools: Mixed

Des Moines has 65 public schools — 41 elementary, 11 middle, 7 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 13 schools
Reading50%
Math51%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

East High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Hoover High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Lincoln High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
North High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Roosevelt High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Saydel High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Virtual CampusHighGrades 6–12
Brody Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Callanan Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Goodrell Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Harding Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Hiatt Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Hoyt Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
McCombs Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime85% above national
Des Moines714
Iowa280
United States386
↓ 2% lower than 2019
2019–2023
property crime74% above national
Des Moines3,398
Iowa1,487
United States1,952
↓ 18% lower than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Des Moines Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Des Moines.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Relatively Moderate
Top hazards · Polk County
Strong windVery High
Cold waveRelatively High
DroughtRelatively High
HailRelatively High
Heat waveRelatively High
Ice stormRelatively High

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Des Moines is in Polk County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Des Moines was founded in 1843 and sits in Polk County. Elevation ~291 m.

Map of Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Where Des Moines is
Des MoinesCedar RapidsDavenportSiouxIowaAnkeny
Historic places

153 on the National Register of Historic Places, incl. 1 National Historic Landmark.

Terrace HillCrawford HouseScottish Rite Consistory BuildingFirst Methodist Episcopal ChurchMahnke HouseNorthwestern HotelWest ChesterStevenson, Samuel A. and Margaret, House
Notable people from Des Moines
Stanley B. PrusinerCloris LeachmanCorey TaylorBill BrysonBrandon RouthJoey JordisonIndia SummerJim InhofeShawn Johnson EastShawn Crahan
People searches in Des Moines
Michael Smith (32)John Smith (29)James Smith (28)David Smith (26)Robert Smith (25)Michael Johnson (25)John Johnson (23)James Johnson (22)Michael Williams (21)William Smith (21)David Johnson (20)Robert Johnson (20)John Williams (19)Michael Brown (19)Michael Jones (19)James Williams (18)David Williams (17)John Brown (17)Robert Williams (17)John Jones (17)William Johnson (16)Mary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Pleasant Hill (6 mi)Altoona (8 mi)Norwalk (8 mi)West Des Moines (9 mi)Urbandale (10 mi)Johnston (10 mi)

Registered sex offenders in Des Moines, IA (16)

Public sex-offender registry records for Des Moines, Iowa.

Luis Alonso Flores, 78
Des Moines · Polk County · 50312
Gerald Dujuan Johnson, 58
Des Moines · Polk County · 50321
AKA Chris Anderson, Craig Lamont Grant
Joseph G Gonzalez, 62ABSCONDER
Des Moines · 50309
AKA Joseph George Gonzales, Joe G Gonzalez
Andrew Tomas Martinez, 28
Des Moines · Polk County · 50315
AKA Andrew Thomas Martinez, Kailey Martinez
Terrance Leon Pargo Sr, 47
Des Moines · Polk County · 50315
AKA Andrew Brown, James Carza Miller
Joshua Lee Smith, 33
Des Moines · Polk County · 50309
AKA Joshua Smith, Josh Smith
Joseph Allen Adams, 53
Des Moines · 50317
Matthew Michael Hall, 46
Des Moines · Polk County · 50317
Matthew Dale Jones, 38
Des Moines · Polk County · 50317
AKA Matthew Alexander Jones, Matt Jones
Jose De Jesus Ramirez, 35
Des Moines · Polk County · 50315
AKA X Chuy, Jose Jesus Ramirez
Jesus Rodriguez Sanchez, 40
Des Moines · Polk County · 50317
AKA Jesus Rodriguez, Jesus Sanchez
Veil Jacoby Jackson Douglass, 43
Des Moines · Polk County · 50315
AKA Douglass Coby, Veil J Doublas
Jesus Hernandez-Rincon, 80
Des Moines · Polk County · 50320
AKA Jesus Hernandez Calexatro, Jesus Hernandez Calixtro
Brent Allen Morrison, 53
Des Moines · Polk County · 50310
AKA Brent A Morrison, Brent Morrison
Eric Bernard Simmons, 51
Des Moines · Polk County · 50315
AKA Kevin Caynta Allen, Kevin Allen
Kevin Leroy Harris Jr, 36
Des Moines · Polk County · 50314
AKA Kevin L Harris, Kevin Leroy Harris

Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.

Common questions

Des Moines — frequently asked

What is the population of Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines has a population of about 212,464, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Des Moines?
The median home value in Des Moines is $183,700, and the median gross rent is $1,054/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Des Moines safe? What is the crime rate?
Des Moines Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 714 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — higher than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Des Moines face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Polk County as "Relatively Moderate" overall, with top hazards including strong wind, cold wave, drought.
How many schools are in Des Moines?
Des Moines has 65 public schools (41 elementary, 11 middle, 7 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Des Moines?
Public registry data lists 16 registered sex offenders in or near Des Moines. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
Look up a person in Des Moines →