Des Moines

by The Linguist

Des Moines, Iowa by Population

Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. According to the 2020 census, the population of Des Moines is 214,133 making it the largest city in Iowa.

History

Des Moines was originally inhabited by the Sac and Fox tribes. In 1843, Captain James Allen built a fort on the site where Des Moines is today and named it Fort Des Moines. This was done to help keep peace between Native Americans and European settlers. In 1857, Des Moines was incorporated as a city and became the new state capital of Iowa later that year.

For the first few decades, Des Moines grew slowly. However, with the introduction of railroads and the coal mining industry, Des Moines began to expand more rapidly. Major flooding in the late 19th century and early 20th century led the city to build better drainage systems that allowed for more development.

Today, Des Moines continues to grow and thrive as the largest and most important city in Iowa.

Geography

Des Moines is located at the convergence of the Raccoon River and Des Moines River in central Iowa. It sits in the Des Moines River Valley and has an area of over 90 square miles.

The city lies between the tallgrass and shortgrass prairies of Western Iowa and has a humid continental climate. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold and snowy.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Des Moines had a population of 214,133 making it the largest city in Iowa. The racial makeup of the city is:

  • White: 76.7%
  • Black or African American: 10.2%
  • Asian: 4.6%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 12.7%
  • Two or more races: 4.1%

Over the past few decades, Des Moines has become significantly more racially and ethnically diverse. The Latino population in particular has grown substantially.

The median age in Des Moines is 34 showing a relatively young population. Over 22% of the population is under 18 while around 13% are retirement age 65 and over.

Des Moines has over 90,000 households with an average household size of 2.38 people. The median household income is $59,594 showing a solid middle-class population.

Economy and Major Employers

Des Moines has a strong and diverse economy. As the state capital and largest city in Iowa, government and administrative services are major sources of employment. The insurance industry also has an exceptionally large presence in Des Moines.

Some of the largest employers in Des Moines include:

Other major industries in Des Moines include finance, publishing, manufacturing, technology, retail, healthcare, and higher education. Some major companies headquartered in Des Moines include Principal Financial Group, Meredith Corporation, Kemin Industries, and The Toro Company.

The economy in Des Moines and the surrounding metropolitan area continues to grow thanks to a skilled workforce, low cost of living, and business friendly policies.

Landmarks

Some of the most notable landmarks and points of interest in Des Moines include:

The Des Moines area also boasts a variety of cultural institutions, performing arts venues, historic districts, shopping areas, and award-winning restaurants and pubs.

Sports Teams

Despite not having any major professional sports teams, sports are still a big part of the culture in Des Moines. Some notable teams include:

  • Iowa Cubs – Minor league baseball team, affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
  • Iowa Wolves – NBA G League team, affiliate of the Denver Nuggets
  • Iowa High School Baseball – High school baseball is hugely popular, especially the state tournament held annually at Principal Park

Des Moines also hosts the famous Drake Relays track and field competition every April that regularly attracts Olympic athletes.

Things to Do

Some of the top things to do in Des Moines include:

Facebook

You can also follow Des Moines news and events on the city’s official Facebook page.