West Des Moines, IA Local Data & Statistics

State: IA

Total population: 71,083 Household income: $86,594 Rent: $1,237

Overview

Total population

71,083

Rent

$1,237

Year built

1994

Household income

$86,594

Per capita income

$57,275

Poverty rate

8.4%

Unemployment rate

2.4%

Household size

2.2 persons

Rent over 30% of income

41.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Iowa

Total population

71,083

Adults over 25

49,548

Total households

32,233

Household size

2.2 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$86,594

Per capita income

$57,275

Poverty rate

8.4%

Unemployment rate

2.4%

Rent over 30% of income

41.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,237

Year built

1994

Households that rent

42.6%

Households that own

57.4%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

79.4%

Black

Asian

6.4%

Two or more races

6.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

6.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

93.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

80.9%

Commute time to work

18 mins

Work from home

19.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

19.7%

High school graduate or GED

15.5%

Some college or associate degree

9.9%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

54.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of West Des Moines, IA with: Iowa United States

West Des Moines, IA

Total population71,083

Rent$1,237

Year built1994

Household income$86,594

Per capita income$57,275

Poverty rate8.4%

Unemployment rate2.4%

Iowa State

Total population3,210,507

Rent$972

Year built1972

Household income$75,059

Per capita income$40,877

Poverty rate11.1%

Unemployment rate3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityWest Des Moines, IA	StateIowa	CountryUnited States
Total population	71,083	3,210,507	334,922,499
Rent	$1,237	$972	$1,413
Year built	1994	1972	1980
Household income	$86,594	$75,059	$80,734
Per capita income	$57,275	$40,877	$44,673
Poverty rate	8.4%	11.1%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	2.4%	3%	4%

View the complete comparison of West Des Moines, IA, Iowa and United States →

Summary for West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines is located in Iowa.

Rent & Income

In West Des Moines, the typical monthly rent is $1,237 and the typical household income is $86,594. Rent here is higher than Iowa and lower than the U.S., and household income is higher than both Iowa and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 8.4%, which is lower than in both Iowa and national.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 42.6% of households. About 41.6% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 54.9% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is lower than both Iowa and the national rate.

West Des Moines, IA — Rent vs Household Income

West Des Moines, IA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How West Des Moines, IA compares in Iowa (11 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,237	10 / 11	from lower rent	$923 – $1,319
Household income	$86,594	2 / 11	from higher income	$57,480 – $108,198
Poverty rate	8.4%	2 / 11	from lower poverty	4.2% – 26.3%
Unemployment rate	2.4%	4 / 11	from lower unemployment	2% – 4.7%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Iowa with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for West Des Moines, IA

Rent

For typical rent levels, West Des Moines is ranked 10th out of 11 major areas in Iowa. Statewide values span from $923 in Waterloo, IA to $1,319 in Ankeny, IA.

Household income

Looking at household income, West Des Moines places 2nd out of 11 significant areas. Incomes across Iowa range between $57,480 in Waterloo, IA and $108,198 in Ankeny, IA.

Poverty rate

Looking at poverty, West Des Moines ranks 2nd out of 11 large places. Statewide poverty rates range from 4.2% in Ankeny, IA to 26.3% in Iowa City, IA.

Unemployment rate

For unemployment, West Des Moines ranks 4th out of 11 large places. Across Iowa, unemployment ranges from 2% in Ames, IA to 4.7% in Waterloo, IA.

💰 Rent in West Des Moines, IA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,237 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in West Des Moines, IA

Annual Household Income: $86,594

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in West Des Moines, IA

Estimated Rate: 8.4%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in West Des Moines, IA

In West Des Moines, IA, households that rent: 13,742 (42.6%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	13,742	42.6%
Owner-Occupied	18,491	57.4%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in West Des Moines, IA

In West Des Moines, IA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 5,711 (41.6%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	5,711	41.6%
Other renter households	8,031	58.4%
Total renter households	13,742	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in West Des Moines, IA

Less than High School: 9,744 people (19.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 7,682 people (15.5%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,899 people (9.9%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 27,223 people (54.9%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 49,548

📊 Unemployment Rate in West Des Moines, IA

Estimated Rate: 2.4%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Dothan, AL71,118 St. Charles, MO71,048 Wilmington, DE71,124 Blaine, MN71,261 Waukesha, WI70,779 Rogers, AR71,411 Baldwin Park, CA70,720 Johnson City, TN71,455 Camden, NJ71,471 Lake Elsinore, CA71,516

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.