Des Moines, WA Demographics

A map of Des Moines's Population by Race

Des Moines, Washington has an estimated population of 32,823, a less than 1% change from the 32,888 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 44.0% White, 19.8% Hispanic, 12.7% Black, 12.0% Asian, 9.2% Multiracial, and 2.3% 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 has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Washington 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 71.0% in 2020 and 72.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Des Moines is ranked the 42nd most populous place in Washington, out of 639 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 42nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Des Moines's White Population

14,446 residents of Des Moines, or 44.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Des Moines is significantly lower than in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Des Moines ranks 562nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's White population has declined by an estimated 6.8%. White residents' share of Des Moines's population has decreased from 47.1% to 44.0%.

Des Moines is more White than neighboring SeaTac (27% White), Lakeland North (42.9% White), and Federal Way (34.9% White). Des Moines is less White than neighboring Normandy Park (78.9% White), and Burien (45.7% White).

Des Moines's Black Population

4,164 residents of Des Moines, or 12.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Des Moines is higher than in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Des Moines ranks 11th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Black population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Black residents' share of Des Moines's population has increased from 12.0% to 12.7%.

Des Moines is more Black than neighboring Normandy Park (1.2% Black), Lakeland North (10.9% Black), and Burien (7.6% Black). Des Moines is less Black than neighboring SeaTac (24.4% Black), and Federal Way (17.8% Black).

Des Moines's Asian Population

3,934 residents of Des Moines, or 12.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Des Moines is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Des Moines ranks 51st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. Asian residents' share of Des Moines's population has decreased from 12.6% to 12.0%.

Des Moines is more Asian than neighboring Normandy Park (5% Asian). Des Moines is less Asian than neighboring SeaTac (17.4% Asian), Lakeland North (18.8% Asian), Federal Way (15.3% Asian), and Burien (15.3% Asian).

Des Moines's Hispanic Population

6,504 residents of Des Moines, or 19.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Des Moines is higher than in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Des Moines ranks 112th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Des Moines's population has increased from 17.7% to 19.8%.

Des Moines is more Hispanic than neighboring Normandy Park (4.1% Hispanic), and Lakeland North (16.4% Hispanic). Des Moines is less Hispanic than neighboring SeaTac (22.8% Hispanic), Federal Way (20% Hispanic), and Burien (24.2% Hispanic).

Des Moines's Native American/Other Population

749 residents of Des Moines, or 2.3% 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 Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Des Moines ranks 110th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 37.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Des Moines's population has decreased from 3.7% to 2.3%.

Des Moines is more Native American/Other than neighboring Normandy Park (0% Native American/Other), SeaTac (1.8% Native American/Other), and Burien (1.7% Native American/Other). Des Moines is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lakeland North (4% Native American/Other), and Federal Way (3.7% Native American/Other).

Des Moines's Multiracial Population

3,026 residents of Des Moines, or 9.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Des Moines is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Des Moines ranks 226th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Des Moines's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 32.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Des Moines's population has increased from 6.9% to 9.2%.

Des Moines is more Multiracial than neighboring SeaTac (6.7% Multiracial), Lakeland North (7% Multiracial), Federal Way (8.2% Multiracial), and Burien (5.5% Multiracial). Des Moines is less Multiracial than neighboring Normandy Park (10.7% 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.