Des Moines metropolitan area


The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area, consists of six counties in central Iowa, United States: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, Guthrie, and Jasper. The 2010 census population of these counties was 606,475, and the 2017 estimated population was 682,877.
Two additional counties, Boone and Story, are part of the Des Moines–Ames–West Des Moines Combined Statistical Area. The area encompasses the separate metropolitan area of Ames, and the separate micropolitan area of Boone. The total population of the CSA was 722,323 in the 2010 census and 806,863 based on 2017 estimates.

Geography

The lowest geographical point in the metropolitan area is the Des Moines River, 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 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. Jasper county was added in September 2018.

Communities

Places with more than 200,000 inhabitants

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.
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.