Demographics & People
About 212,421 people live in Des Moines, in 90,105 households. Population shrank 0.0% from 212,464 (2022) to 212,421 (2024). Median age 34.6 years. (1.6y younger than Polk County; 4.0y younger than Iowa). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 61% White (non-Hispanic) and 16% Hispanic or Latino. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.52). 53% of households are family-led. County is losing 235 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 47% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 56 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.0% from 212,464 (2022) to 212,421 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~212,378 (extrapolated at -0.0%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 492,401 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 212,464 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 212,421 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 212,421 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 212,322 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 34.6y is 4.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 34.6 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 212,421 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 49,229 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 58,630 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 77,517 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 27,045 |
| Median age | 34.6 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 212,421 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.52 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 52.0% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 66.1% |
| Asian population | 6.6% (vs Iowa 1.9%) |
| Black population | 11.1% (vs Iowa 3.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 16.3% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 61.0% (vs Iowa 81.2%) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (1)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
90,105 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 53% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 48,264 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 48,036 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 53.3% (vs Iowa 57.4%) |
| Total households | 90,105 households (vs Iowa 10,135) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 235 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 465,360 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 465,595 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -235 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12