Des Moines, Iowa Income Statistics
Des Moines Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Des Moines Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Des Moines | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,314 | $75,133 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,785 | $57,332 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.2% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.6% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.6% | 8.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Des Moines is about 12% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Des Moines (4.2%/yr) than in Iowa (4.0%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Des Moines earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Des Moines, Iowa grew by 51.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $66,314 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Des Moines
| Metric | Des Moines | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.502 | 0.510 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $58,857 | $66,524 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $49,877 | $52,524 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.3% | 21.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Des Moines, it is 0.502, lower than Iowa's 0.510, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 18% more than women's income in Des Moines, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 18% wage gap accumulates to roughly $314,300 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Des Moines, Iowa has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 13% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,744 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Des Moines | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.1% | 11.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 6,705 people are unemployed in Des Moines, Iowa.
The average commute time in Des Moines is 17 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Des Moines, Iowa has fallen from 8.0% to 5.7% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 8.7% in 2013.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Des Moines, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Iowa, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Des Moines, Iowa.
How Rich Is Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $66,314, about 12% lower than the Iowa average of $75,133.
How has median household income changed in Des Moines, Iowa?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Des Moines, Iowa rose 51%, from $43,819 to $66,314. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Iowa as a whole: +51% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Des Moines in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Des Moines, Iowa was $64,891, up 4% from $62,503 in 2022. The Iowa median that year was $73,347.
What was the median household income in Des Moines in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Des Moines, Iowa was $55,379. By 2024 it had risen 20% to $66,314.
Is it hard to find a job in Des Moines, Iowa?
Unemployment in Des Moines, Iowa is 5.7%, well above the Iowa rate of 3.6%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Des Moines, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Des Moines is 0.502. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Des Moines, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Des Moines, Iowa has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 13% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,744 since 2009.
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