How many people live in the Des Moines, IA area?
Updated Mar. 4, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024 there were 753,900 people in the Des Moines, IA area. That makes the Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area the 82nd-most populous metro area in the US. It is home to 0.22% of the nation's population.
754K
population of Des Moines, IA area (2024)
0.22%
Des Moines, IA area share of US population (2024)
Between 2010 and 2024, the population of the Des Moines, IA area increased from 609,000 to 753,900—a 23.8% increase. During that same period, the US population grew 9.9%.
About 753,900 people lived in the Des Moines, IA area in 2024.
Population estimates of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area, 2010–2024
What are the age demographics of the Des Moines, IA area?
About 15.1% of the Des Moines, IA area's population in 2024 was aged 65 years or older, lower than the 18% share in the nation overall. Children (under 18) account for 24.1% of the Des Moines, IA area population, above the 21.6% population share of children nationwide.
A lower share of the Des Moines, IA area population is 65 and older than the US overall.
Population share by age group in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of the Des Moines, IA area?
Non-Hispanic white residents make up 77.2% of the Des Moines, IA area population, higher than the national share of 57.5%.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
A higher share of the Des Moines, IA area population is non-Hispanic white than the US overall.
Population share by race and ethnicity in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
