Des Moines, IA Demographics

A map of Des Moines's Population by Race

Des Moines, Iowa has an estimated population of 212,421, a less than 1% change from the 214,133 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.0% White, 16.3% Hispanic, 11.1% Black, 6.6% Asian, 4.5% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Des Moines, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Des Moines is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Des Moines, that probability was 58.4% in 2020 and 58.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Des Moines is ranked the most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Des Moines was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Des Moines's White Population

129,545 residents of Des Moines, or 61.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Des Moines is significantly lower than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Des Moines ranks 1015th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Des Moines's population has remained roughly unchanged at 61.0%.

Des Moines is less White than neighboring Windsor Heights (81.4% White), Saylorville (88.1% White), Norwalk (92.6% White), Pleasant Hill (85.3% White), and Carlisle (93.3% White).

Des Moines's Black Population

23,574 residents of Des Moines, or 11.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Des Moines is higher than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Des Moines ranks 4th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.9%. Black residents' share of Des Moines's population has remained roughly unchanged at 11.1%.

Des Moines is more Black than neighboring Windsor Heights (5.6% Black), Saylorville (0% Black), Norwalk (0.1% Black), Pleasant Hill (3.9% Black), and Carlisle (0.4% Black).

Des Moines's Asian Population

13,931 residents of Des Moines, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Des Moines is slightly higher than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Des Moines ranks 11th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. Asian residents' share of Des Moines's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.6%.

Des Moines is more Asian than neighboring Windsor Heights (4.7% Asian), Saylorville (1.8% Asian), Norwalk (1.2% Asian), Pleasant Hill (1.6% Asian), and Carlisle (0.2% Asian).

Des Moines's Hispanic Population

34,573 residents of Des Moines, or 16.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Des Moines is higher than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Des Moines ranks 47th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Des Moines's population has increased from 15.6% to 16.3%.

Des Moines is more Hispanic than neighboring Windsor Heights (4.3% Hispanic), Saylorville (3.8% Hispanic), Norwalk (3% Hispanic), Pleasant Hill (6.7% Hispanic), and Carlisle (5.1% Hispanic).

Des Moines's Native American/Other Population

1,243 residents of Des Moines, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Des Moines is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Des Moines ranks 213th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 19.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Des Moines's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Des Moines is more Native American/Other than neighboring Windsor Heights (0% Native American/Other), Saylorville (0% Native American/Other), Norwalk (0.2% Native American/Other), Pleasant Hill (0% Native American/Other), and Carlisle (0.4% Native American/Other).

Des Moines's Multiracial Population

9,555 residents of Des Moines, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Des Moines is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Des Moines ranks 163rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Des Moines's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Des Moines is more Multiracial than neighboring Windsor Heights (4.1% Multiracial), Norwalk (2.9% Multiracial), Pleasant Hill (2.5% Multiracial), and Carlisle (0.6% Multiracial). Des Moines is less Multiracial than neighboring Saylorville (6.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.