City Town Info

Des Moines, WA


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Des Moines, Washington

Introduction to Des Moines, Washington

Des Moines, Washington, in King County, is 4 miles W of Kent, Washington (center to center) and 14 miles S of Seattle, Washington. The city is in the Seattle - Bellevue - Everett area. There are 29,267 residents in Des Moines.

Des Moines History

The Duwamish and Muckleshoot Indian tribes used the area, now known as Des Moines, for fishing purposes. Europeans first visited this place on May 26, 1792. John Moore, who visited the area around 1867, was the first known settler of Des Moines. Des Moines City Improvement Company platted the land in 1889. In fact, the city was named after the company. The Brick Highway was constructed in May 1916. Des Moines was incorporated on June 17, 1959.

Des Moines and nearby Attractions

  • Saltwater State Park
  • Des Moines Historical Society Museum
  • Des Moines Beach Park
  • Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
  • Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
  • Renton History Museum

Things To Do In Des Moines

Des Moines Beach Park and Saltwater State Park are worth visiting when you are in the city. You can also visit Normandy Village and Des Moines Historical Society Museum. The Museum of Flight and Enchanted Village and Wild Waves are also close to the city. The City of Des Moines also organizes a number of recreational events and festivals throughout the year.

Des Moines Transportation

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is close to the city.

Des Moines Higher Education

Highline Community College is the local college. Other colleges and universities near Des Moines are Seattle Community College-South Campus, Seattle University, and Renton Technical College.

High Points

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

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 10%Des Moines Public Transportation Use
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 10%Des Moines Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 14%Des Moines Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 15%Des Moines Well-Paid Single Men
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 19%Des Moines Median Family Income

Comparative Profile of Des Moines, WA

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

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


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Senior Citizens87
Well-Paid Single Women89
Age of the Population77
Well-Paid Single Men79
Female Share of the Population68
Racial Diversity610
Children Under 5 Years Old55
Male Share of the Population53

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size55
Portion of People Married44

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People in Middle Class or Better69
People Above Poverty68
Median Family Income69
College Educated Adults58

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use810
Working at Home85
Short Commute Times43
Walking and Biking to Work25

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing86
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals67
Housing Recently Built66
People Living Alone66
Affordability of Rents53
Affordability of Property Taxes42

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime53
Low Property Crime46

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

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Additional Details

Des Moines CollegesDes Moines Colleges
Des Moines colleges and trade schools.
Des Moines MortgageDes Moines Mortgage
Des Moines property, mortgage, and real estate.

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