Greater Des Moines
Metropolitan statistical area
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Map of Greater Des Moines
Map of Counties in the Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan area
Coordinates: 41°34′48″N 93°36′45″W / 41.58°N 93.6125°W / 41.58; -93.6125
CountryUnited States
State(s) Iowa
Largest cityDes Moines
Other cities - West Des Moines
 - Ankeny
 - Urbandale
Area
 • Total3,610 sq mi (9,300 km2)
Highest elevation
N/A ft (N/A m)
Lowest elevation
750 ft (228.6 m)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total740,363
 • Rank82nd in the U.S.
 • Density196.5/sq mi (75.9/km2)

The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is located at the confluence of the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River. Des Moines serves as the capital of the U.S. state of Iowa The metro area consists of six counties in central Iowa: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, Guthrie, and Jasper.[1] The Des Moines–Ames–West Des Moines Combined Statistical Area (CSA) encompasses the separate metropolitan area of Ames (Story County), and the separate micropolitan areas of Pella (Marion County), Boone (Boone County) and Oskaloosa (Mahaska County). The Des Moines area is a fast-growing metro area.[2]

Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area

County Seat 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Area Density
Polk Des Moines 492,401 430,640 +14.34% 592 sq mi (1,530 km2) 832/sq mi (321/km2)
Dallas Adel 99,678 66,135 +50.72% 592 sq mi (1,530 km2) 168/sq mi (65/km2)
Warren Indianola 52,403 46,225 +13.37% 573 sq mi (1,480 km2) 91/sq mi (35/km2)
Jasper Newton 37,813 36,842 +2.64% 733 sq mi (1,900 km2) 52/sq mi (20/km2)
Madison Winterset 16,549 15,679 +5.55% 562 sq mi (1,460 km2) 29/sq mi (11/km2)
Guthrie Guthrie Center 10,623 10,954 −3.02% 593 sq mi (1,540 km2) 18/sq mi (7/km2)
Total 709,466 606,475 +16.98% 3,610 sq mi (9,300 km2) 197/sq mi (76/km2)

Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA Combined Statistical Area

Statistical Area 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Area Density
Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area 709,466 606,475 +16.98% 3,610 sq mi (9,300 km2) 197/sq mi (76/km2)
Ames, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (Story County) 98,537 89,542 +10.05% 574 sq mi (1,490 km2) 172/sq mi (66/km2)
Pella, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Marion County) 33,414 33,309 +0.32% 571 sq mi (1,480 km2) 59/sq mi (23/km2)
Boone, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Boone County) 26,715 26,306 +1.55% 574 sq mi (1,490 km2) 47/sq mi (18/km2)
Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Mahaska County) 22,190 22,381 −0.85% 573 sq mi (1,480 km2) 39/sq mi (15/km2)
Total 890,322 778,013 +14.44% 5,902 sq mi (15,290 km2) 151/sq mi (58/km2)

Geography

The lowest geographical point in the metropolitan area is the Des Moines River, where it passes the northeastern corner of Warren County, and the southeastern corner of Polk County.

Historical definitions

Polk County was originally the only county in the Des Moines metropolitan area when the United States Bureau of the Budget (now the United States Office of Management and Budget) began defining metropolitan areas in 1950. Warren County was added in 1973 and Dallas County was added in 1983.[3] Guthrie and Madison counties were added in 2003 after metropolitan areas were redefined. In 2005 the area was renamed the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area after a special census showed that West Des Moines had topped the 50,000 mark in population.[4] Jasper county was added in September 2018.

Communities by size

Population as of 2020 Census

Principal City

Places with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants

Places with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

Places with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

Places with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants

Unincorporated places

Demographics of metropolitan area

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
190082,684—
1910110,43833.6%
1920154,02939.5%
1930172,83712.2%
1940195,83513.3%
1950226,01015.4%
1960337,16949.2%
1970363,4197.8%
1980392,1417.9%
1990416,3466.2%
2000481,39415.6%
2010569,63318.3%
2020709,46624.5%
2022 (est.)729,0532.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census of 2000, there were 481,394 people, 189,371 households, and 126,177 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 90.24% White, 3.85% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.[citation needed]

The median income for a household in the MSA was $44,667, and the median income for a family was $52,617. Males had a median income of $34,710 versus $25,593 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $21,253.[citation needed]

The census tracts for 2000 are shown in the map from the Iowa Data Center.[6]

Economy

Des Moines is a major center of the US insurance industry and has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. The city was credited as the "number one spot for U.S. insurance companies" in a Business Wire article and named the third-largest "insurance capital" of the world. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, Ruan Transportation, TMC Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, Cognizant, Voya Financial, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, ACE Limited, Marsh, Monsanto, and Corteva have large operations in or near the metropolitan area. In recent years, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Facebook[7][8] have built data-processing and logistical facilities in the Des Moines area.

The Des Moines area is home to 5 Fortune 1000 headquarters – 2021 rankings

DSM
Rank 		Company City Sector Fortune
Rank
1 Principal Financial Group Des Moines Financial 201
2 Casey's General Store Ankeny Convenience 378
3 Meredith Corporation Des Moines Media 681
4 American Equity Insurance West Des Moines Financial 702
5 Renewable Energy Ames Energy 851

Education

Colleges and universities

Sports

Professional and Division I sports teams
Club Sport League Venue City Founded
Iowa Barnstormers American football Indoor Football League Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines 1995 (2008)
Iowa Cubs Baseball International League, Minor League Baseball Principal Park Des Moines 1969
Iowa Wolves Basketball NBA G League Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines 2007
Des Moines Buccaneers Ice hockey United States Hockey League Buccaneer Arena Urbandale 1980
Iowa Wild Ice hockey American Hockey League Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines 2013
Des Moines Menace Soccer USL League Two Drake Stadium Des Moines 1994
Drake Bulldogs Multi NCAA Division I, Missouri Valley Conference Drake Stadium, Knapp Center Des Moines 1881

Transportation

Airports

Relief Airports

Major highways

Interstates

U S Highways

Iowa Highways

Transit

References

  1. ^ Norvell, Kim (September 21, 2018). "Feds add Jasper County to Des Moines metro stats". Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Greater Des Moines is fastest-growing Midwest metro". Business Record. April 19, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Historical Metropolitan Area Definitions". Archived from the original on October 9, 1999. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  4. ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  6. ^ "Census Tract Outline Map for Census 2000" (PDF). Iowa Data Center. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Microsoft behind nearly $700 million data center investment in West Des Moines". Des Moines Register. June 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013.
  8. ^ "Facebook to build data center near Des Moines, Iowa". Reuters. April 23, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
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