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Neighborhood report

West Des Moines, IA

Founded 1893Polk CountyElev. 291 m
Population
69,893
Median home
$286,300
Disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
Public schools
14
Sex offenders
7

Overview

About West Des Moines

With about 69,893 residents, West Des Moines is one of Iowa's notable places. West Des Moines was founded in 1893 and sits in Polk County. The median age is 36.5 and the median household income is $84,925. Homes carry a median value of $286,300, and about 57% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (78.3%). Around 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 18 minutes.

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

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Who lives here

Demographics

Population
69,893
Median age
36.5
Median household income
$84,925
Per-capita income
$55,648
Poverty rate
7.3%
High-school grad or higher
96.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher
54.6%
Unemployment
2.5%
Avg. commute
17.8 min
Work from home
17.3%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White78.3%
Hispanic or Latino6.1%
Black3.6%
Asian7.2%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts54.8%
Sales & office20.5%
Service11.8%
Production, transportation & material moving9%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance3.8%

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

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$286,300
Median gross rent
$1,194/mo
Owner-occupied
57.4%
Median year built
1993
Households
31,825
Avg. household size
2.18

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

Education

Schools

Schools: Below average

West Des Moines has 14 public schools — 9 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high.

Student proficiency · grade 8, 2 schools
Reading37%
Math40%

% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.

Valley High SchoolHighGrades 10–12
Walnut Creek CampusHighGrades 9–12
Stilwell Junior High SchoolMiddleGrades 7–8
Brookview Elementary SchoolElementary
Crossroads Park Elementary SchoolElementary
Fairmeadows Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades -1–6
Hillside Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades -1–6
Jordan Creek Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades -1–6
Maple Grove Elementary SchoolElementary
Western Hills Elementary SchoolElementaryGrades -1–6
Westridge ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–6
Woodland Hills Elementary SchoolElementary
Learning Resource CenterGrades -1–-1
Valley SouthwoodsGrades 9–9

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

Safety

Crime

violent crime54% below national
West Des Moines176
Iowa280
United States386
↑ 11% higher than 2019
2019–2023
property crime14% above national
West Des Moines2,221
Iowa1,487
United States1,952
↑ 9% higher than 2019
2019–2023

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

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around West 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

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

West Des Moines was founded in 1893 and sits in Polk County. Elevation ~291 m.

Map of West Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA
Where West Des Moines is
Des MoinesCedar RapidsDavenportSiouxIowaAnkenyWest Des Moines
Historic places

5 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine HouseJordan HouseI.O.O.F. (International Order of Odd Fellows) Valley Junction Lodge Hall No. 604Valley Auto Co.-Morgan Auto Co. GarageVal-Air Ballroom
Notable people from West Des Moines
Peter HedgesWhitney SharpeTyson SmithConor BoffeliCorwin ClattMatthew HaackJake CamposTeagan KavanMason Mitchell
People searches in West Des Moines
Michael Smith (11)John Smith (10)James Smith (9)David Smith (9)Robert Smith (9)Michael Johnson (9)John Johnson (8)James Johnson (7)Michael Williams (7)William Smith (7)David Johnson (7)Robert Johnson (7)John Williams (7)Michael Brown (6)Michael Jones (6)James Williams (6)David Williams (6)John Brown (6)Robert Williams (6)John Jones (6)William Johnson (6)Mary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Clive (4 mi)Urbandale (6 mi)Waukee (6 mi)Norwalk (6 mi)Des Moines (9 mi)Grimes (9 mi)

Registered sex offenders in West Des Moines, IA (7)

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

Luis Gerardo Martinez Jaquez, 24
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50266
AKA Luis Jaquez, Luis Gerardo Martinez
Joshua David Johnson, 36
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50265
AKA X Jj, Josh David Johnson
Kevin James Brown, 52
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50265
AKA Kevin Brown
Carlos Arturo Latorre-Flores, 53
West Des Moines · Dallas County · 50266
AKA Carlos Arturo Flores, Carlos Arturo Latorre
Christian Anderson Jones, 26
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50266
AKA Christian Jones, Thomas Jones
Michael Eugene Carter, 51
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50265
AKA Michael E Carter, Micheal Eugene Carter
Michael Douglas King, 55
West Des Moines · Polk County · 50265
AKA C J King, Charlie King

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

West Des Moines — frequently asked

What is the population of West Des Moines, Iowa?
West Des Moines has a population of about 69,893, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in West Des Moines?
The median home value in West Des Moines is $286,300, and the median gross rent is $1,194/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is West Des Moines safe? What is the crime rate?
West Des Moines Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 176 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does West 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 West Des Moines?
West Des Moines has 14 public schools (9 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in West Des Moines?
Public registry data lists 7 registered sex offenders in or near West Des Moines. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
Look up a person in West Des Moines →