West Des Moines, IA
Census place 1983910 · pop 71,083
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.47 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.52% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
57.4% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
1733 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$309,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
169 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
33.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$86,594 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
93.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
8.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
73/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
15.5% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
3.1% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
10.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+8.3% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,346/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
19.6% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
18 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
54.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
5.7% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
Not measured for West Des Moines: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is West Des Moines, IA a good place to live?
- By the numbers, West Des Moines scores 64/100 — a C (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is uninsured adults and its weakest is income inequality. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is West Des Moines, IA?
- West Des Moines reports 169 violent crimes per 100k and 1733 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is West Des Moines, IA expensive to live in?
- West Des Moines has a median home value of $309,000 and typical rent around $1,346/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in West Des Moines, IA?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.47) — 23/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is West Des Moines, IA best at?
- Its strongest measured area is uninsured adults (5.7%) — 88/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.