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West Des Moines, IA


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West Des Moines, Iowa

Introduction to West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk county, is located 5 miles W of Des Moines, Iowa (center to center) and is 117 miles E of Omaha, Nebraska. The people of the city are in the Des Moines metropolitan area. West Des Moines has a population of 46,403.

West Des Moines History

West Des Moines was originally inhabited by the Sac and Fox Indians. In its early years, the city served as a trading and shipping junction. On October 9, 1893, it was incorporated as the city of Valley Junction. It was home to the switching facilities of Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It was renamed to West Des Moines on January 1, 1938. During the 1990s and 2000s, the city expanded into Dallas County. It also annexed land in Warren County in 2005.

West Des Moines and nearby Attractions

  • Historic Valley Junction
  • Blank Park Zoo
  • Historic Jordon House
  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Des Moines Botanical Center
  • Walnut Woods State Park

Things To Do In West Des Moines

West Des Moines is home to many parks and open spaces including the Nineteenth Street Park, Ashawa Park, Fairmeadows Park, Meadow View Park, and Florer Park. The Ponderosa Public Golf Course, Glen Oaks Country Club, and Des Moines Golf and Country Club are the ideal destinations for golf lovers. One can enjoy shopping at the Valley West Mall and Westown Shopping Center. The Des Moines Botanical Center and Blank Park Zoo are also close by.

West Des Moines Transportation

Des Moines International Airport is nearby.

West Des Moines Higher Education

Drake University, Iowa State University, and Des Moines Community College are some of the nearest universities and colleges.

High Points

West Des Moines strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Iowa):

CategoryTrophy
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyWest Des Moines Well-Paid Single Women
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyWest Des Moines Median Family Income
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyWest Des Moines Well-Paid Single Men
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 1%trophyWest Des Moines College Educated Adults
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 3%trophyWest Des Moines Public Transportation Use
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)		Top 4%trophyWest Des Moines People in Middle Class or Better
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 5%trophyWest Des Moines Racial Diversity
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 17%West Des Moines Short Commute Times
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)		Top 19%West Des Moines Low Rate of Poverty

Comparative Profile of West Des Moines, IA

Comparing West Des Moines to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Iowa (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Well-Paid Single Women910
Well-Paid Single Men910
Children Under 5 Years Old89
Female Share of the Population75
Male Share of the Population46
Age of the Population41
Senior Citizens31
Racial Diversity210

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married52
Average Household Size35

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults1010
People in Middle Class or Better910
People Above Poverty99
Median Family Income810

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times97
Working at Home87
Public Transportation Use610
Walking and Biking to Work36

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built910
Seasonal and Vacation Housing99
People Living Alone86
Affordability of Rents51
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals59
Affordability of Property Taxes41

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime84
Low Property Crime63

Detailed pages on related topics: West Des Moines travel • West Des Moines mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

West Des Moines Hotels & TravelWest Des Moines Hotels & Travel
West Des Moines hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
West Des Moines MortgageWest Des Moines Mortgage
West Des Moines property, mortgage, and real estate.

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