West Des Moines: Demographics & People
Census counts 71,083 people in West Des Moines, in 32,233 households. Population grew 1.7% from 69,893 (2022) to 71,083 (2024). Median age 36.0 years. (1.3y younger than Iowa). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 77% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.31). 53% of households are family-led. County is gaining 5,143 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 47% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 57 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.7% from 69,893 (2022) to 71,083 (2024) — about 2.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~72,296 (extrapolated at 0.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 73,932.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 99,678 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 69,893 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 71,083 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 71,083 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 73,932 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.0y is 2.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.0 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 71,083 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 14,955 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 19,508.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 25,897.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 10,723 |
| Population under 18 | 14,955 |
| Median age | 36.0 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 71,083 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.31 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 56,168 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2,484 |
| Asian residents | 5,132 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4,250 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 30.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.6% |
| Asian population | 6.3% (vs Iowa 1.9%) |
| Black population | 5.0% (vs Iowa 3.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.5% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 77.4% (vs Iowa 81.2%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 11% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 43,870 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 18,377 |
| Share born in this state | 61.7% |
| Share born in another state | 38.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 25.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 10.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 7,430 |
| From Europe | 1,011 |
| From Africa | 3,648 |
| From Latin America | 24 |
Households & Family Composition
32,233 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 53% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 16,900 families, 35% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 14,838 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 16,900 |
| Married couples with children | 5,969 |
| Single-parent households | 636 |
| Average household size | 2.18 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 460 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 87 |
| Family households | 16,995 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
| Households that are families | 52.7% (vs Iowa 57.4%) |
| Total households | 32,233 households (vs Iowa 10,135) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 19.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 5,143 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 19.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 119,422 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 114,279 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 5,143 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 3,294 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.8% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 405 residents live in group quarters (0.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 405 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 049 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Dallas |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 7.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 9.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19049 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Dallas County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,598 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19049 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Dallas County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 75.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 69.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 59.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 93,453 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 14 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 31 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 71,083, growing, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 71,083 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Town Summary · County | Dallas County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade