Economy & Jobs
Households in Des Moines earn a median $65,932 (1.3× below Polk County median $83,576; 1.1× below Iowa median $75,059), with homes at a median value of $194,700. The surrounding county supports 317,845 jobs (avg $72,557).
- $93,610 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Iowa $84,771).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $65,932 — near the Iowa median ($66,270). Poverty rate 15.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 37% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| County Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $241,940 |
|---|---|
| County Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $22,647,945 |
| County Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $93,610 (vs Iowa $84,771) |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 (at Iowa median) |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.0% — near the U.S. average of ~4%. 13% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| County Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 317,845 |
|---|---|
| County Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $23,061,957,325 |
| County Employment · Average annual pay | $72,557 |
| All Occupations · Employment | 1,544,760 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% (vs Iowa 2.6%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
Sources: FDIC Institutions/Branches · Refreshed 2026-04-12
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
Sources: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | DES MOINES DOWNTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12