The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...

-West Des Moines

West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...

 Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), consists of five counties in central Iowa

Iowa

Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...

, United States: Polk

Polk County, Iowa

Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 430,640 in the 2010 census, an increase from 374,601 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa...

, Dallas

Dallas County, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 66,135 in the county, with a population density of . There were 27,260 housing units, of which 25,240 were occupied.-2000 census:...

, Warren, Madison

Madison County, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 were occupied.-2000 census:...

, and Guthrie

Guthrie County, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,954 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,756 housing units, of which 4,544 were occupied.-2000 census:...

. The 2000 census population of these counties was 481,394, and the 2009 estimated population was 562,906.

Two additional counties, Jasper

Jasper County, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 36,842 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,181 housing units, of which 14,806 were occupied.-2000 census:...

 and Marion

Marion County, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,309 in the county, with a population density of . There were 13,914 housing units, of which 12,723 were occupied.-2000 census:...

, are part of the Des Moines-Newton

Newton, Iowa

Newton is a city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,254. It is the home of Maytag Dairy Farms and was formerly home to the Maytag Corporation's corporate headquarters until the Whirlpool Corporation acquired it in 2006...

-Pella

Pella, Iowa

Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...

 Combined Statistical Area

Combined Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...

 (CSA). The area encompasses the separate micropolitan areas

United States micropolitan area

United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...

 of Newton (Jasper County) and Pella (Marion County). The total population of the CSA was 550,659 in the 2000 census and 631,845 based on 2009 estimates.

Geography

The lowest geographical point in the metropolitan area is the Des Moines River

Des Moines River

The Des Moines River is a tributary river of the Mississippi River, approximately long to its farther headwaters, in the upper Midwestern United States...

, where it passes the northeast corner of Warren County, and the southeast 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

United States Office of Management and Budget

The Office of Management and Budget is a Cabinet-level office, and is the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the United States .The current OMB Director is Jacob Lew.-History:...

) began defining metropolitan areas in 1950. Warren County was added in 1973 and Dallas County was added in 1983. 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.

Places with 50,000 to 100,000 inahbitants

• West Des Moines
  West Des Moines, Iowa
  West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...
  
   (Principal city)

Places with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

• Altoona
  Altoona, Iowa
  Altoona is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States and is a part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,583 at the 2010 census; a special census taken in August 2005 counted 13,301 residents....
  
  
• Ankeny
  Ankeny, Iowa
  Ankeny is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 45,562 in the 2010 census, an increase of 68% from the 27,117 population in the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
  
  
• Clive
  Clive, Iowa
  Clive is a city in Dallas and Polk counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census the population is at 15,447. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clive is known for its outstanding Greenbelt Park and trail system running through the entire...
  
  
• Indianola
  Indianola, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 12,998 people, 4,748 households, and 3,261 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,414.7 people per square mile . There were 4,981 housing units at an average density of 542.1 per square mile...
  
  
• Johnston
  Johnston, Iowa
  -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,278 in the city, with a population density of . There were 6,618 housing units, of which 6,369 were occupied....
  
  
• Urbandale
  Urbandale, Iowa
  Urbandale is a city in Polk and Dallas counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 29,072; a special census taken by the city in 2005 counted 35,904 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 38,369 residents lived there in 2008...
  
  
• Waukee
  Waukee, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 5,126 people, 1,927 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 610.9 people per square mile . There were 2,087 housing units at an average density of 248.7 per square mile...
  
  

Places with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

• Adel
  Adel, Iowa
  Adel is a city along the North Raccoon River in Dallas County in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 3,435 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dallas County and the birthplace of 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick....
  
  
• Bondurant
  Bondurant, Iowa
  -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 3,860 in the city, with a population density of . There were 1,422 housing units, of which 1,362 were occupied....
  
  
• Carlisle
  Carlisle, Iowa
  Carlisle is a city in Warren and Polk counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 3,497 at the 2000 census. The city is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area....
  
  
• Coon Rapids
  Coon Rapids, Iowa
  Coon Rapids is a city in Carroll and Guthrie counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,305 at the 2010 census unchanged from the 2000 census. The small portion of Coon Rapids that lies in Guthrie County is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical...
  
   (partial)
• Dallas Center
  Dallas Center, Iowa
  Dallas Center is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, USA. The population was 1,595 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Dallas Center is located at ....
  
  
• De Soto
  De Soto, Iowa
  De Soto is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,009 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:De Soto is located at ....
  
  
• Earlham
  Earlham, Iowa
  Earlham is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,298 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Earlham is located at ....
  
  
• Granger
  Granger, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 583 people, 245 households, and 150 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,136.6 people per square mile . There were 265 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 98.63% White, 0.17%...
  
  
• Grimes
  Grimes, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 5,098 people, 1,887 households, and 1,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 569.4 people per square mile . There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 218.7 per square mile...
  
  
• Guthrie Center
  Guthrie Center, Iowa
  Guthrie Center is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States, along the South Raccoon River. The population was 1,668 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Guthrie County....
  
  
• Mitchellville
  Mitchellville, Iowa
  Mitchellville is a city in Polk and Jasper counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,715 at the 2000 census.The Polk County portion of Mitchellville is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Jasper County portion is part of the Newton...
  
   (partial)

• Norwalk
  Norwalk, Iowa
  Norwalk is a city in Polk and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 6,884 at the 2000 census. The city is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located just south of the Des Moines International Airport.-History:The first log cabin...
  
  
• Panora
  Panora, Iowa
  Panora is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,175 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Perry
  Perry, Iowa
  Perry is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States, along the North Raccoon River. The population was 7,633 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area....
  
  
• Pleasant Hill
  Pleasant Hill, Iowa
  Pleasant Hill is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,070 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. The waterpark White Water University is located in Pleasant Hill, as is part of Festival Park...
  
  
• Polk City
  Polk City, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 2,344 people, 826 households, and 645 families residing in the city. The population density was 862.4 people per square mile . There were 842 housing units at an average density of 309.8 per square mile...
  
  
• Saylorville
  Saylorville, Iowa
  Saylorville is a census-designated place in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,238 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Saydel Community School District is located in this area...
  
   (census-designated place
  Census-designated place
  A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
  
  )
• Stuart
  Stuart, Iowa
  Stuart is a city in Lincoln Township, Adair County, and in Stuart Township, Guthrie County, in the U.S. state of Iowa. That part of the city within Guthrie County is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area...
  
   (partial)
• Van Meter
  Van Meter, Iowa
  Van Meter is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, along the Raccoon River. The population was 866 at the 2000 census and is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area....
  
  
• Windsor Heights
  Windsor Heights, Iowa
  Windsor Heights is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,805 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Windsor Heights incorporated as a city on July 19, 1941...
  
  
• Winterset
  Winterset, Iowa
  Winterset is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County....
  
  
• Woodward
  Woodward, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 1,200 people, 490 households, and 309 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,319.1 people per square mile . There were 528 housing units at an average density of 580.4 per square mile...
  
  

Places with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants

• Ackworth
  Ackworth, Iowa
  Ackworth is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ackworth is located at ....
  
  
• Adair
  Adair, Iowa
  Adair is a city in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 839 at the 2000 census.The Guthrie County portion of Adair is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
  
   (partial)
• Alleman
  Alleman, Iowa
  Alleman is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 439 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Alleman was named for early settler John L. Alleman...
  
  
• Bagley
  Bagley, Iowa
  Bagley is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 303 in the 2010 census, a decline from 354 in 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Bayard
  Bayard, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 536 people, 221 households, and 135 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,124.9 people per square mile . There were 244 housing units at an average density of 512.1 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 99.07% White, 0.19%...
  
  
• Bevington
  Bevington, Iowa
  Bevington is a city in Madison and Warren Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 58 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Bouton
  Bouton, Iowa
  Bouton is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 136 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bouton is located at ....
  
  
• Casey
  Casey, Iowa
  Casey is a city in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 478 at the 2000 census.The Guthrie County portion of Casey is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area...
  
   (partial)
• Cumming
  Cumming, Iowa
  Cumming is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 351 at the 2010 census. It is the hometown of Senator Tom Harkin.A part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area, Cumming is considered one of the smallest incorporated suburbs of the metro area...
  
  
• Dawson
  Dawson, Iowa
  Dawson is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 155 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Dawson is located at ....
  
  
• Dexter
  Dexter, Iowa
  Dexter is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 689 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area...
  
  

• East Peru
  East Peru, Iowa
  East Peru is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 153 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:East Peru is located at ....
  
  
• Elkhart
  Elkhart, Iowa
  Elkhart is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 362 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Elkhart was founded in 1853 by settlers from Elkhart, Indiana...
  
  
• Hartford
  Hartford, Iowa
  Hartford is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 759 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hartford is located at ....
  
  
• Jamaica
  Jamaica, Iowa
  Jamaica is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Jamaica is located at ....
  
  
• Lacona
  Lacona, Iowa
  Lacona is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lacona is located at ....
  
  
• Linden
  Linden, Iowa
  Linden is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 226 at the 2000 census and 199 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Macksburg
  Macksburg, Iowa
  Macksburg is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 142 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. -Geography:Macksburg is located at ....
  
  
• Martensdale
  Martensdale, Iowa
  Martensdale is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 467 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Menlo
  Menlo, Iowa
  Menlo is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 365 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Menlo is located at ....
  
  
• Milo
  Milo, Iowa
  Milo is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 839 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Milo is located at ....
  
  
• Minburn
  Minburn, Iowa
  Minburn is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 391 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Minburn is located at ....
  
  

• New Virginia
  New Virginia, Iowa
  New Virginia is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 469 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:New Virginia is located at ....
  
  
• Patterson
  Patterson, Iowa
  Patterson is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 126 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Redfield
  Redfield, Iowa
  Redfield is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States, along the Middle Raccoon River. The population was 833 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• Runnells
  Runnells, Iowa
  Runnells is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
  
  
• Sandyville
  Sandyville, Iowa
  Sandyville is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 61 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sandyville is located at ....
  
  
• Sheldahl
  Sheldahl, Iowa
  Sheldahl is a city in Polk, and Story counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 336 at the 2000 census.The Boone County portion of Sheldahl is part of the Boone Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Story County portion is part of the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area. Together,...
  
   (partial)
• Spring Hill
  Spring Hill, Iowa
  Spring Hill is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 92 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
  
  
• St. Charles
  St. Charles, Iowa
  St. Charles is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
  
  
• St. Marys
  St. Marys, Iowa
  St. Marys is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 134 at the 2000 census. Pope John Paul II visited the town in 1979.St. Marys is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
  
  
• Truro
  Truro, Iowa
  Truro is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 427 at the 2000 census. Truro is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
  
  
• Union
  Union, Iowa
  Union is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 427 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Union is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Yale
  Yale, Iowa
  As of the census of 2000, there were 287 people, 125 households, and 75 families residing in the city. The population density was 969.8 people per square mile . There were 130 housing units at an average density of 439.3 per square mile...
  
  

Demographics

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

Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.

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.