Des Moines metropolitan area

Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area
CountySeat2020 Census2010 CensusChangeAreaDensityPolkDes Moines 592 square miles (1,533 km2)DallasAdel 592 square miles (1,533 km2)WarrenIndianola 573 square miles (1,484 km2)JasperNewton 733 square miles (1,898 km2)MadisonWinterset 562 square miles (1,456 km2)GuthrieGuthrie Center 593 square miles (1,536 km2)Total 3610 square miles (9,350 km2)

Des Moines Ames West Des Moines, IA Combined Statistical Area

Statistical Area2020 Census2010 CensusChangeAreaDensityDes Moines West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area3610 square miles (9,350 km2)Ames, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (Story County) 574 square miles (1,487 km2)Pella, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Marion County) 571 square miles (1,479 km2)Boone, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Boone County) 574 square miles (1,487 km2)Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area (Mahaska County) 573 square miles (1,484 km2)Total 5902 square miles (15,286 km2)

The lowest geographical point in the metropolitan area is the Des Moines River, where it passes the northeastern corner of Warren County, and the southeastern corner of Polk County.

Polk County was originally the only county in the Des Moines metropolitan area when the United States Bureau of the Budget (now the United States Office of Management and 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.

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. The census tracts for 2000 are shown in the map from the Iowa Data Center.