West Des Moines, Iowa Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of West Des Moines, Iowa is 69,893 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 7th-largest city in Iowa. The median household income is $84,925, the median home value is $286,300, and the median age is 36.5.
The population has grown 29.5% since 2010 (56,864 → 73,664).
69,893
Population
1472
People / sq mi
$84,925
Median Income
$286,300
Median Home Value
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West Des Moines covers 47.5 sq mi of land at 1472 people per square mile.
About West Des Moines, IA
Educational attainment is the headline number in West Des Moines: 54.6% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 69,893 residents, West Des Moines is a city in Iowa. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Iowa in the country, at #7 by population.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $84,925 — above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 5.6%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $286,300, with typical rent around $1,194.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 54.6% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 17.3%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 18 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in West Des Moines usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
West Des Moines city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of West Des Moines city had a population of 56,864 in 2010 and 73,664 in 2024, a 29.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 73,664 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.87%.
73,664
Population (2024)
56,864
Population (2010)
73,664
Peak (2024)
1.87%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 56,864 |
| 2011 | 57,562 |
| 2012 | 58,154 |
| 2013 | 59,733 |
| 2014 | 61,827 |
| 2015 | 63,489 |
| 2016 | 64,595 |
| 2017 | 65,556 |
| 2018 | 66,605 |
| 2019 | 67,899 |
| 2020 | 68,920 |
| 2021 | 69,913 |
| 2022 | 70,751 |
| 2023 | 72,518 |
| 2024 | 73,664 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.4% |
| Black or African American | 3.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$84,925
Median Household Income
$55,648
Per Capita Income
5.6%
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$286,300
Median Home Value
$1,194
Median Rent
57.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.3%
High School+
54.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
71.9%
Public Transit
17.3%
Work From Home
17.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
25.5%
Foreign Born
86.4%
Non-English at Home
5.6%
Veterans
9.9%
With Disability
95.9%
Health Insurance
97.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.8% |
| Information | 19.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.1% |
| Manufacturing | 6.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.4% |
| Retail Trade | 5.0% |
| Construction | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 3.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.6% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
West Des Moines, Iowa has a population of 69,893 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 7th-largest city in Iowa.
The median household income in West Des Moines, Iowa is $84,925, with 5.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in West Des Moines, Iowa is $286,300, with median monthly rent at $1,194 and a homeownership rate of 57.4%.
The median age in West Des Moines, Iowa is 36.5 years. The population is 50.1% male and 49.9% female.
The population has grown 29.5% since 2010 (56,864 → 73,664).
Where to stay in West Des Moines
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.