Overview

Introduction to Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa offers many benefits to its residents, such as low-cost housing, short commute times, and a diverse population. It is the capital of Iowa, and as such it serves as the center of government, business, arts, and culture. Its metro population is 500,000 and it has top-notch schools, public services, and neighborhoods. The city began as a military post in 1834, and today has gained national recognition as center of the insurance industry. The city has climate-controlled skywalk systems that link together parking, hotels, restaurants, and businesses.

Des Moines Culture

Des Moines is a center of Iowa culture and boasts a wide array of museums, arts centers, and performance events. The Des Moines Arts Center has a permanent collection of major 19th, 20th, and 21st century masterpieces in a contemporary building. The Des Moines Arts Center Downtown is an extension of the center and provides exciting new exhibits in an urban-inspired setting. The Gortz Haus Gallery features more than 50 Iowa artists and is housed in a church made of stone. For military enthusiasts, there’s the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, which honors military men and women and displays artifacts from the Civil War to the present. The Des Moines Metro Opera has educational and outreach programs and is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the state.

Des Moines Sports and Leisure

Des Moines features many activities related to sports and leisure. The Iowa Cubs baseball team is in the Pacific Coast league, a AAA league affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. The Des Moines Menace soccer team plays home games in Waukee. The Des Moines Bucanners play in the United States Hockey League at Bucaneer Arena in nearby Urbandale. The Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League play their games at Wells Fargo Arena which is attached to the Iowa Events Center.

Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines is known for Gray’s Lake Park, the premier park in Central Iowa. The past three years have seen many new and exciting features added to the park, and not it’s more popular than ever. The lake has a lighted trail circling it and a pedestrian bridge that offers spectacular views. Boats can be rented and used on the lake. New shoreline improvements, landscaping, and new parking areas have vastly improved the park. The Meredith Trail connects Gray’s Lake to Downtown Des Moines. There is also a boat ramp for both sail boats and electric motorboats. The park has over 300 miles of trails and more on the way, making it a perfect place to get exercise or enjoy nature.

Des Moines at Night

Des Moines has a great deal to offer when the sun goes down. There are comedy clubs like Funny Bone and Starry Night Gourmet Coffee and Cuisine. Dance clubs are very popular, and some of the best include The Big Kahuna, Bugsy’s, Coconut Joe’s, Club Iguana Jakes, and Canopy Lounge. There are sports bars like Borbon St. Bar & Grill and All in the Family Lounge. Karaoke bars are also plentiful, such as Anthony’s Lounge, Ellis Island, and Chi Chi’s South.

Demographics

People

Total Population215,932
Male Share of the Population49.2%
Female Share of the Population50.8%
Senior Citizens11.7%
Employed Population 16+109,026
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married40.4%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher29.9%
Median Earnings25+$35,575
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$26,697
Median Earnings With High School Degree$30,712

Wealth

Median Family Income$62,979
% Above Poverty Level82.8%
% Below Poverty Level17.2%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time19 minutes
% Working from Home3.4%
% Walking and Biking to Work3.1%
% Using Public Transportation2.5%

Housing

People Living Alone33.3%
Median Gross Rent$822
Median House Value$127,200

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)28%
Irish11.5%
English6.6%
Italian3.8%
Norwegian3.1%
African2.8%
Dutch2.7%
Swedish2.4%
French Except Basque1.9%
Scottish1.4%
Danishn1.2%
Polish1%
Czech0.8%
Welsh0.7%
Somali0.6%
Greek0.3%
Liberian0.3%
Russian0.3%
Arab0.3%
Canadian0.3%
Sudanese0.2%
Croatian0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Swiss0.2%
Belgian0.2%
West Indian0.1%
Kenyan0.1%
Nigerian0.1%
Ethiopian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Finnish0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Iraqi0.1%
German0.1%
Hungarian0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
Latvian0.1%
Afghan)0.1%
Serbian0.1%
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Des Moines Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyPolk County, Dallas County
Standard Zip Codes50313, 50320, 50308, 50312, 50316, 50319, 50321, 50307, 50309, 50311, 50314, 50315, 50395, 50310, 50317, 50322, 50323, 50325, 50327, 50324
P.O. Box Zip Codes50301, 50393, 50302, 50303, 50318, 50368, 50304, 50305, 50306, 50333, 50340, 50394
Company Zip Codes50332, 50336, 50360, 50362, 50367, 50392, 50936, 50940, 50329, 50331, 50334, 50339, 50369, 50380, 50980, 50981, 50982, 50328, 50330, 50335, 50359, 50361, 50363, 50364, 50381, 50396, 50947, 50950, 50983, 50391
Phone Area Codes515
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude41.57
Approximate Longitude-93.61

Des Moines Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationDES MOINES AP
Distance5.5 miles
Jan Temp12 to 29 F
Apr Temp40 to 61 F
Jul Temp66 to 86 F
Oct Temp42 to 64 F
Annual Precip34.7 inches
StationWINTERSET 2 NNW
Distance27.3 miles
Jan Temp9 to 29 F
Apr Temp37 to 61 F
Jul Temp64 to 84 F
Oct Temp40 to 64 F
Annual Precip34.3 inches
StationKNOXVILLE
Distance31.5 miles
Jan Temp11 to 29 F
Apr Temp38 to 61 F
Jul Temp65 to 86 F
Oct Temp42 to 64 F
Annual Precip35 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Clive17,195$119,525
Johnston20,767$119,643
Pleasant Hill9,736$96,288
Urbandale42,881$107,659
West Des Moines64,400$99,071
Windsor Heights4,990$91,857

Des Moines Public Libraries

Des Moines Public Library
1000 GRAND AVE
Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 283-4152

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Des Moines Hospitals

Va Central Iowa Healthcare System
(Government - Federal)
3600 30th Street
(515) 699-5999
Iowa Lutheran Hospital
(Non-profit)
700 East University
(515) 263-5612
Mercy Hospital Medical Center
(Non-profit)
1111 6th Ave
(515) 247-3121
Broadlawns Medical Center
(Government - Local)
1801 Hickman Road
(515) 282-2200
Mercy Franklin Center
(Non-profit)
1818 48th Street
(515) 271-6000
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
(Non-profit)
1200 Pleasant Street
(515) 241-6201

Des Moines Public Schools

Des Moines Central Campus High School
1800 Grand Ave
ZIP: 50309
(515) 242-7846
High
Total Enrollment 2
Downtown School
1800 Grand Avenue
ZIP: 50309
(515) 284-5848
Primary
Total Enrollment 267
Gateway Secondary School
1800 Grand Avenue
ZIP: 50309
(515) 242-7846
Scavo Alternative High School
1800 Grand Ave
ZIP: 50309
(515) 242-7589
High
Total Enrollment 359
Walnut Street School
901 Walnut St
ZIP: 50309
(515) 242-8438
Primary
Total Enrollment 283
Hillis Elementary School
2401 56th St
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-8412
Primary
Total Enrollment 534
Hoover High School
4800 Aurora Ave
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-7300
High
Total Enrollment 1021
Meredith Middle School
4827 Madison Ave
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-7250
Middle
Total Enrollment 713
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
111 Porter
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-8424
Primary
Total Enrollment 375
Monroe Elementary School
2250 30th St
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-8425
Primary
Total Enrollment 536
Samuelson Elementary School
3929 Bel-aire Rd
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-8441
Primary
Total Enrollment 527
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
4000 Lower Beaver Rd
ZIP: 50310
(515) 242-8213
Primary
Total Enrollment 232
Perkins Elementary School
4301 College
ZIP: 50311
(515) 242-8430
Primary
Total Enrollment 464
Windsor Elementary
5912 University Avenue
ZIP: 50311
(515) 242-8440
Primary
Total Enrollment 360
Callanan Middle School
3010 Center Street
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8101
Middle
Total Enrollment 572
Greenwood Elementary School
316 37th Street
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8410
Primary
Total Enrollment 385
Hanawalt Elementary
225 56th Street
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8411
Primary
Total Enrollment 373
Hubbell Elementary
800 42nd St
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8414
Primary
Total Enrollment 430
Merrill Middle School
5301 Grand Ave
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8448
Middle
Total Enrollment 718
Roosevelt High School
4419 Center St
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-7272
High
Total Enrollment 1827
Ruby Van Meter School
710 28th St
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8220
Other
Total Enrollment 158
Smouse Opportunity School
2820 Center St
ZIP: 50312
(515) 242-8210
Primary
Total Enrollment 109
Cornell Elementary School
5817 Ne 3rd St
ZIP: 50313
(515) 244-8173
Primary
Total Enrollment 504
Findley Elementary School
3025 Oxford Street
ZIP: 50313
(515) 242-8407
Primary
Total Enrollment 342
Harding Middle School
203 E Euclid Ave
ZIP: 50313
(515) 242-8445
Middle
Total Enrollment 767
North High School
501 Holcomb Ave
ZIP: 50313
(515) 242-7200
High
Total Enrollment 1198
Oak Park
3928 6th Avenue
ZIP: 50313
(515) 242-8428
Primary
Total Enrollment 406
Saydel High School
5601 Ne 7th St
ZIP: 50313
(515) 262-9325
High
Total Enrollment 460
Woodside Middle School
5810 Ne 14th St
ZIP: 50313
(515) 265-3451
Middle
Total Enrollment 389
Edmunds Fine Arts Academy
950 15th Street
ZIP: 50314
(515) 243-1174
Primary
Total Enrollment 435
Jessie Franklin Taylor
1801 16th Street
ZIP: 50314
(515) 242-8424
Primary
Total Enrollment 207
King Elementary School
1849 Forest Ave
ZIP: 50314
(515) 242-8417
Primary
Total Enrollment 376
Moulton Elementary School
1541 8th Street
ZIP: 50314
(515) 242-8427
Primary
Total Enrollment 473
Howe Elementary
2900 Indianola
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8413
Primary
Total Enrollment 298
Jackson Elementary School
3825 Indianola Ave
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8415
Primary
Total Enrollment 435
Lincoln High School
2600 Sw 9th St
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-7500
High
Total Enrollment 2171
Lovejoy Elementary School
801 E Kenyon Ave
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8419
Primary
Total Enrollment 380
Mckinley Elementary School
1610 Se 6th Street
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8423
Primary
Total Enrollment 359
Morris Elementary School
1401 Geil Avenue
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8421
Primary
Total Enrollment 595
Orchard Place School
5412 Sw 9th Street
ZIP: 50315
(515) 287-9700
Other
Total Enrollment 95
Park Ave Elementary School
3141 Sw 9th St
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8429
Primary
Total Enrollment 424
South Union Elementary School
4201 South Union
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8409
Primary
Total Enrollment 520
Studebaker Elementary School
300 E County Line Rd
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8436
Primary
Total Enrollment 452
Weeks Middle School
901 East Park Avenue
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8449
Middle
Total Enrollment 670
Wright Elementary School
5001 Sw 14th St
ZIP: 50315
(515) 242-8442
Primary
Total Enrollment 289
Capitol View Elementary School
320 E. 16th
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-8402
Primary
Total Enrollment 597
Carver Elementary
705 E University Ave
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-8418
Primary
Total Enrollment 577
Cattell Elementary School
3101 E 12th St
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-8403
Primary
Total Enrollment 396
East High School
815 E 13th St
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-7788
High
Total Enrollment 2291
Hiatt Middle School
1430 E. University Ave
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-7774
Middle
Total Enrollment 551
Madison Elementary School
806 E Hoffman St
ZIP: 50316
(515) 242-8420
Primary
Total Enrollment 346
Brubaker Elementary School
2900 E 42nd Street
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8405
Primary
Total Enrollment 704
Delaware Elementary School
4401 E 46th St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 262-3197
Primary
Total Enrollment 481
Garton Elementary
2820 E 24th St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8408
Primary
Total Enrollment 624
Goodrell Middle School
3300 E. 29th Street
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8444
Middle
Total Enrollment 633
Hoyt Middle School
2700 E 42nd St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8446
Middle
Total Enrollment 488
Mckee Elementary School
2115 E 39th St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 323-8628
Primary
Total Enrollment 208
Phillips Elementary
1701 Lay St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8431
Primary
Total Enrollment 387
Stowe Elementary School
1411 E 33rd St
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8435
Primary
Total Enrollment 365
Willard Elementary School
2941 Dean Avenue
ZIP: 50317
(515) 242-8439
Primary
Total Enrollment 429
Mccombs Middle School
201 Sw County Line Rd
ZIP: 50320
(515) 242-8447
Middle
Total Enrollment 662
River Woods Elementary School
2929 Se 22nd St
ZIP: 50320
(515) 242-8433
Primary
Total Enrollment 545
Brody Middle School
2501 Park Ave
ZIP: 50321
(515) 242-8443
Middle
Total Enrollment 736
Jefferson Elementary School
2425 Watrous Ave
ZIP: 50321
(515) 242-8416
Primary
Total Enrollment 425
Clive Elementary
1600 73rd Street
ZIP: 50324
(515) 633-5800
Primary
Total Enrollment 543
Cowles Elementary School
6401 College Ave
ZIP: 50324
(515) 242-7818
Primary
Total Enrollment 399
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
4801 E Oakwood Dr
ZIP: 50327
(515) 242-8432
Primary
Total Enrollment 309

Des Moines Private Schools

Mt Olive Lutheran School
5625 Franklin Ave
ZIP: 50310
Elementary
Total Enrollment 83
St Theresa School
5810 Carpenter Ave
ZIP: 50311
Elementary
Total Enrollment 265
St Augustin Catholic School
4320 Grand Ave
ZIP: 50312
Elementary
Total Enrollment 258
The Academy
100 45th St
ZIP: 50312
Elementary
Total Enrollment 138
Christ The King School
701 Wall Ave
ZIP: 50315
Elementary
Total Enrollment 207
St Anthony Elementary School
16 Columbus Ave
ZIP: 50315
Elementary
Total Enrollment 277
Holy Family School
1265 E 9th St
ZIP: 50316
Elementary
Total Enrollment 221
Fairmount Education
3720 E 29th St
ZIP: 50317
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 39
Grandview Park Baptist School
1701 E 33rd St
ZIP: 50317
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 282
St Joseph Elementary School
2107 E 33rd St
ZIP: 50317
Elementary
Total Enrollment 218
Des Moines Adventist School
2317 Watrous Ave
ZIP: 50321
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 22
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
4665 72nd St
ZIP: 50322
Elementary
Total Enrollment 12
New Horizon Academy
6201 Franklin Ave
ZIP: 50322
Elementary
Total Enrollment 23
Sources :
Additional Details
Des Moines Colleges
Des Moines colleges and trade schools.
Des Moines Careers
Des Moines career and employment information.
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Historic Des Moines

photo

Steel viaduct over Des Moines River (C. & N.W. Ry. i.e. Chicago & North Western Railway) ca. 1900

Select a photo to view (Source):

Steel viaduct over Des Moines River (C. & N.W. Ry. i.e. Chicago & North Western Railway) ca. 1900

Up the Des Moines Valley (From C. & N. W. Ry. viaduct) c1901.

Bridge over the Des Moines River. c1899.

Additional Resources
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