Des Moines, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Des Moines, Iowa is 212,464 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest city in Iowa. The median household income is $63,966, the median home value is $183,700, and the median age is 34.6.

The population has grown 3.9% since 2010 (205,032 → 213,096).

212,464

Population

2410

People / sq mi

$63,966

Median Income

$183,700

Median Home Value

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Des Moines covers 88.2 sq mi of land at 2410 people per square mile.

About Des Moines, IA

Housing cost is the defining feature of Des Moines: the median home is valued at $183,700. Des Moines is a city in Iowa with a population of 212,464. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Iowa in the country, at #1 by population.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $63,966, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 11.1%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $183,700, with typical rent around $1,054.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 29.0% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Around 11.4% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.

Des Moines city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Des Moines city had a population of 205,032 in 2010 and 213,096 in 2024, a 3.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 216,662 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: 0.28%.

Des Moines city population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

213,096

Population (2024)

205,032

Population (2010)

216,662

Peak (2017)

0.28%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	205,032	-	-	estimate
2011	207,924	+2,892	+1.41%	estimate
2012	210,244	+2,320	+1.12%	estimate
2013	212,026	+1,782	+0.85%	estimate
2014	214,350	+2,324	+1.10%	estimate
2015	215,243	+893	+0.42%	estimate
2016	216,308	+1,065	+0.49%	estimate
2017	216,662	+354	+0.16%	estimate
2018	215,994	-668	-0.31%	estimate
2019	214,237	-1,757	-0.81%	estimate
2020	213,769	-468	-0.22%	estimate
2021	212,539	-1,230	-0.58%	estimate
2022	210,950	-1,589	-0.75%	estimate
2023	211,088	+138	+0.07%	estimate
2024	213,096	+2,008	+0.95%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	66.9%
Black or African American	12.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Economy & Income

$63,966

Median Household Income

$36,459

Per Capita Income

11.1%

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$183,700

Median Home Value

$1,054

Median Rent

60.4%

Owner-Occupied

Education

87.3%

High School+

29.0%

Bachelor's+

Commute

1.1%

Drive Alone

72.3%

Public Transit

11.4%

Work From Home

19.6 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

20.6%

Foreign Born

78.4%

Non-English at Home

5.5%

Veterans

14.3%

With Disability

93.3%

Health Insurance

94.5%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management	19.8%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	12.1%
Information	11.5%
Manufacturing	10.8%
Education, Health Care & Social Services	9.2%
Construction	7.8%
Retail Trade	5.4%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services	4.4%
Public Administration	3.2%
Transportation & Warehousing	1.5%
Agriculture & Mining	0.8%

Largest cities in Iowa

Cedar Rapids (136,859)Davenport (101,083)Sioux City (85,651)Iowa City (75,264)Ankeny (70,542)West Des Moines (69,893)Waterloo (66,947)Ames (66,112)Council Bluffs (62,564)Dubuque (59,271)View all Iowa cities →

Largest counties in Iowa

Polk County (497,441)Linn County (229,463)Scott County (174,302)Johnson County (154,881)Black Hawk County (130,693)

Part of Iowa

Iowa demographic profile All Iowa data →

Metro areas in Iowa

Omaha (972,840)Des Moines (720,331)Davenport (381,864)Cedar Rapids (275,960)Iowa City (177,420)Waterloo (168,163)Sioux City (144,007)Ames (125,261)All US metros →

City rankings

US Cities by Population Cities With Highest Median Income Expensive US Cities by Home Value Youngest US Cities by Median Age Racially Diverse US Cities Cities With Highest Rent Educated US Cities Cities With Highest Work From Home Rates Cheapest US Cities by Median Home Value Cities With Lowest Rent All rankings →

Common questions about Des Moines, IA

What is the population of Des Moines city, IA?What is the median household income in Des Moines city, IA?What is the median home value in Des Moines city, IA?What are the demographics of Des Moines city, IA?What is the cost of living in Des Moines city, IA?Is Des Moines city, IA growing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Des Moines, Iowa has a population of 212,464 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest city in Iowa.

The median household income in Des Moines, Iowa is $63,966, with 11.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Des Moines, Iowa is $183,700, with median monthly rent at $1,054 and a homeownership rate of 60.4%.

The median age in Des Moines, Iowa is 34.6 years. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

The population has grown 3.9% since 2010 (205,032 → 213,096).

Where to stay in Des Moines

Visiting or relocating to Des Moines, IA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.

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More from Iowa

Population 136,859

Population 101,083

Population 85,651

Population 75,264

Population 70,542

Full rankings of Iowa cities by population

Iowa demographic profile

Statewide data for Iowa

Iowa demographics 2026 — complete guide

Population, race, income, age, and trends across Iowa

Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.