View source for Des Moines, Iowa

{{Short description|Capital and most populous city of Iowa, US}}
{{Redirect|Des Moines}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Des Moines
| settlement_type    = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital city]]
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| image1                   = Morning Skyline - Des Moines, Iowa - Winter on the Des Moines River (24805016620) (cropped2).jpg
| caption1                 = [[Downtown Des Moines]] and [[Des Moines River]]
| image2                   = State Fair Time! (14860351256) (cropped3).jpg
| caption2                 = [[Iowa State Fairgrounds]]
| image3                   = Des Moines 106 (cropped).jpg
| caption3                 = [[Des Moines Art Center]]
| image4                   = Basilica of St. John - Des Moines, Iowa 01 (cropped).jpg
| caption4                 = [[Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa)|Basilica of St. John]]
| image5                   = Hall of Laureates - panoramio (cropped).jpg
| caption5                 = [[World Food Prize]]
| image6                   = Capitol building, Des Moines, Iowa (cropped2).jpg
| caption6                 = [[Iowa State Capitol]]
}}
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| nicknames           = "Niceville USA", "[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] of the West"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shankle |first=George Earlie |url=https://archive.org/details/americannickname00shan |title=American nicknames; their origin and significance |publisher=The H.W. Wilson Company |year=1955 |isbn=978-0-82420-004-6 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/americannickname00shan/page/123 123] |quote=Des Moines was nicknamed the ''Hartford of the West'' because like Hartford, Conn., it is an insurance center. |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>Neal R. Peirce (1973), [https://books.google.com/books?id=JyqbTl9fsc4C&dq=Des+Moines+%22Hartford+of+the+West%22&pg=PA106 ''The Great Plains States of America: People, Politics, and Power in the Nine Great Plains States''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501023540/https://books.google.com/books?id=JyqbTl9fsc4C&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=Des+Moines+%22Hartford+of+the+West%22&source=bl&ots=CBNUgwgLZ5&sig=ypn2JT6v3bH3kCfPwaAUmwJ4G5k&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=13&ct=result |date=May 1, 2019 }}, W. W. Norton & Company, {{ISBN|0-393-05349-0}}, page 106</ref>
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| map_caption        = Interactive map of Des Moines
| pushpin_map        = Iowa#USA#North America
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Iowa##Location in the United States
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<!-- Location ----->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Iowa|Counties]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Iowa}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Polk County, Iowa|Polk]] and [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren]]
| established_date   =
| established_title1 = Founded
| established_date1  = {{start date and age|1843}}
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = {{start date and age|1851|9|22}}
<!-- Government ------>
| government_type    = [[Council–manager]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=City Manager's Office |url=http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/CMO/Index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104015256/http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/CMO/Index.htm |archive-date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2009 |publisher=City of Des Moines – City Manager's Office |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Des Moines City Council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Connie Boesen]] (D)
| leader_title1      = [[Iowa Senate|Senate]]
| leader_name1       = {{Collapsible list|title=Senate list|frame_style=border:none; padding: 0;|list_style=text-align:left;display:none;|1=[[Izaah Knox]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])|2=[[Mike Pike]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])|3=[[Julian Garrett]] (R)|4=[[Janet Petersen]] (D)|5=[[Tony Bisignano]] (D)}}
| leader_title2      = [[Iowa House of Representatives|House]]
| leader_name2       = {{Collapsible list|title=House list|frame_style=border:none; padding: 0;|list_style=text-align:left;display:none;|1=[[Megan Srinivas]] (D)|2=[[Ruth Ann Gaines]] (D)|3=[[Sean Bagniewski]] (D)|4=[[Austin Baeth]] (D)|5=[[Rob Johnson (Iowa politician)|Rob Johnson]] (D)|6=[[Brian Meyer (politician)|Brian Meyer]] (D)|7=[[Rick Olson (Iowa politician)|Rick Olson]] (D)|8=[[Bill Gustoff]] (R)|9=[[Stan Gustafson]] (R)}}
| leader_title3      = [[Iowa's 3rd congressional district|U.S. Congress]]
| leader_name3       = [[Zach Nunn]] (R)
<!-- Area ----->
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| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{Cite web |title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt |access-date=March 16, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 234.92
| area_total_sq_mi   = 90.70
| area_land_km2      = 228.38
| area_land_sq_mi    = 88.18
| area_water_km2     = 6.54
| area_water_sq_mi   = 2.52
<!-- Population ----->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 214133
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_sq_mi = 2428.39
| population_density_km2 = 937.60
| population_metro   = 709466 (US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|81st]])
| population_urban   = 542,486 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|78th]])
| population_density_urban_km2 = 932.0
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 2,413.8
| population_blank1_title = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
| population_blank1  = 890322 (US: [[Combined statistical area|65th]])
| population_rank    = US: [[List of United States cities by population|114th]]<br />IA: [[List of largest Iowa cities by population|1st]]
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
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| utc_offset_DST     = −5
| elevation_ft       = 794
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|35|27|N|93|37|15|W|region:US-IA|display=inline}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 19-21000
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2394522<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394522}}</ref>
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 50111, 50263, 50301–50336, 50339–50340, 50359–50364, 50367–50369, 50380–50381, 50391–50396, 50936, 50940, 50947, 50980–50983
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 515|515]]
| website            = {{URL|dsm.city}}
| footnotes          =
}}
'''Des Moines'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|d|ə|ˈ|m|ɔɪ|n}} {{respell|də|MOYN}}}} is the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital]] and [[List of cities in Iowa|most populous city]] in the U.S. state of [[Iowa]]. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Polk County, Iowa|Polk County]] with parts extending into [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren County]]. It is named after the [[Des Moines River]], likely derived from the French {{lang|fr|Rivière des Moines}} meaning 'River of the Monks'. The city was incorporated in 1851 as Fort Des Moines and shortened to Des Moines in 1857.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Des Moines |title=City of Des Moines Action Center: City History |url=http://www.dmgov.org/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207045425/http://www.dmgov.org/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=December 20, 2006}}</ref> Its population was 214,133 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="cen2020">{{Cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau}}</ref> while the six-county [[Des Moines metropolitan area]] has an estimated 750,000 residents, the [[Iowa statistical areas|largest metropolitan area located entirely in Iowa]].<ref name="msapop">{{Cite web |last=United States Census Bureau |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2010-2018 |url=https://census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602005545/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>

Des Moines is a major center of the United States insurance industry and has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the [[Principal Financial Group]] and [[Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield]]. Other major corporations such as [[Wells Fargo]], [[Cognizant]], [[Voya Financial]], [[Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company]], [[Chubb Limited|ACE Limited]], [[Bayer]], and [[Corteva]] have large operations in or near the metropolitan area. In recent years, [[Microsoft]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], and [[Facebook]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 2013 |title=Microsoft behind nearly $700 million data center investment in West Des Moines |work=Des Moines Register |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130621/BUSINESS/130621005/Microsoft-behind-nearly-700-million-data-center-investment-West-Des-Moines |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628035409/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130621/BUSINESS/130621005/Microsoft-behind-nearly-700-million-data-center-investment-West-Des-Moines |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 2013 |title=Facebook to build data center near Des Moines, Iowa |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/net-us-facebook-datacenter-idUSBRE93M10A20130423 |url-status=live |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180801/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/23/net-us-facebook-datacenter-idUSBRE93M10A20130423 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> have built data-processing and logistical facilities in the Des Moines area.

Des Moines is an important city in U.S. presidential politics; as the state's capital, it is the site of the first [[Iowa caucuses|caucuses]] of the [[United States presidential primary|presidential primary]] cycle. Many presidential candidates set up campaign headquarters in Des Moines. A 2007 article in ''[[The New York Times]]'' said, "If you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in the most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably no better place to go than Des Moines."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Nagourney |date=December 2, 2007 |title=In the Spotlight, Ready for Its Close-Up |work=The New York Times |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/travel/02journeys.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929002547/http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/travel/02journeys.html |archive-date=September 29, 2009}}</ref>

==History==
===Etymology===
Des Moines takes its name from Fort Des Moines (1843–46), which was named for the [[Des Moines River]]. This was adopted from the name given by [[French colonization of the Americas|French colonists]]. ''Des Moines'' ({{IPA|fr|de mwan|pron|DesMoines1.ogg}}; formerly {{IPA|fr|de mwɛn|}}) translates literally to either "from the monks" or "of the monks" from French.

One popular interpretation of "Des Moines" concludes that it refers to a group of French [[Trappists|Trappist monks]], who in the 17th century lived in huts built on top of what is now known as the ancient [[Monks Mound]] at [[Cahokia]], the major center of [[Mississippian culture]], which developed in what is present-day Illinois, east of the Mississippi River and the city of [[St. Louis]]. This was some {{convert|200|mi|km}} from the Des Moines River.<ref>"[http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030914/ENT/70323017 Defining 'Des Moines']. {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120723212014/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030914/ENT/70323017 |date=July 23, 2012 }}". ''Des Moines Register''. September 14, 2003.</ref>

===Prehistoric inhabitants of early Des Moines===
Based on archaeological evidence, the junction of the [[Des Moines River|Des Moines]] and [[Raccoon River]]s has attracted humans for at least 7,000 years. Several prehistoric occupation areas have been identified by archaeologists in [[downtown Des Moines]]. Discovered in December 2010, the "[[Palace Site|Palace]]" is an expansive 7,000-year-old site found during excavations before construction of the new wastewater treatment plant in southeast Des Moines. It contains well-preserved house deposits and numerous graves. More than 6,000 artifacts were found at this site. State of Iowa archaeologist John Doershuk was assisted by [[University of Iowa]] archaeologists at this dig.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Heldt, Diane |date=August 18, 2011 |title=UI archaeologists find 7,000-year-old site in Des Moines: More than 6,000 artifacts were found |work=The Gazette |location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa |url=http://thegazette.com/2011/08/18/ui-archaeologists-find-7000-year-old-site-in-des-moines/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925095341/http://thegazette.com/2011/08/18/ui-archaeologists-find-7000-year-old-site-in-des-moines/ |archive-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref>

At least three villages, dating from about AD 1300 to 1700, stood in or near what developed later as downtown Des Moines. In addition, 15 to 18 prehistoric [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] mounds were observed in the area by early settlers. All have been destroyed during development of the city.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Schoen, Christopher M. |year=2005 |title=A Point of Land and Prehistoric Peoples |journal=Iowa Heritage Illustrated |volume=86 |issue=1 |pages=8–9 |doi=10.17077/1088-5943.1178 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="DMIndians">{{Cite journal |last=Whittaker |first=William E. |year=2008 |title=Prehistoric and Historic Indians in Downtown Des Moines |journal=Newsletter of the Iowa Archeological Society |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=8–10}}</ref>

===Origin of Fort Des Moines===
{{For timeline}}
[[File:Indians of Des Moines.png|thumb|left|Map of Fort Des Moines sites in downtown Des Moines<ref>Modified from ''Newsletter of the [[Iowa Archeological Society]]'' 58(1):8</ref>]]
Des Moines traces its origins to May 1843, when Captain [[James Allen (Army engineer)|James Allen]] supervised the construction of a fort on the site where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. Allen wanted to use the name Fort Raccoon; however, the [[U.S. War Department]] preferred Fort Des Moines. The fort was built to control the [[Sauk people|Sauk]] and [[Meskwaki]]  peoples, whom the government had moved to the area from their traditional lands in eastern Iowa. The fort was abandoned in 1846 after the Sauk and Meskwaki were removed from the state and shifted to the [[Indian Territory]].<ref name="Forts">{{Cite book |last1=Schoen |first1=Christopher M. |url=http://uipress.uiowa.edu/books/2009-fall/whittaker.htm |title=Frontier Forts of Iowa: Indians, Traders, and Soldiers, 1682–1862 |last2=W.E. Whittaker |last3=K.E.M. Gourley |publisher=University of Iowa Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-58729-831-8 |editor-last=William E. Whittaker |location=Iowa City |pages=161–177 |chapter=Fort Des Moines No. 2, 1843–1846 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805200748/http://www.uipress.uiowa.edu/books/2009-fall/whittaker.htm |archive-date=August 5, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Sauk and Meskwaki did not fare well in Des Moines. The illegal whiskey trade, combined with the destruction of traditional lifeways, led to severe problems for their society. One newspaper reported:
<blockquote>"It is a fact that the location of Fort Des Moines among the Sac and Fox Indians (under its present commander) for the last two years, had corrupted them more and lowered them deeper in the scale of vice and degradation, than all their intercourse with the whites for the ten years previous".<ref name="Forts" /></blockquote>After official [[Indian Removal|removal]], the Meskwaki continued to return to Des Moines until around 1857.<ref name="DMIndians" />

Archaeological excavations have shown that many fort-related features survived under what is now [[Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (Des Moines)|Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway]] and First Street.<ref name="Forts" /><ref>Mather, David and Ginalie Swaim (2005) "The Heart of the Best Part: Fort Des Moines No. 2 and the Archaeology of a City", ''Iowa Heritage Illustrated'' 86(1):12–21.</ref> Soldiers stationed at Fort Des Moines opened the first coal mines in the area, mining coal from the riverbank for the fort's blacksmith.<ref>James H. Lees, "History of Coal Mining in Iowa", Chapter III of [https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA566 ''Annual Report, 1908'']. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117093152/https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA415&pg=PA566 |date=January 17, 2016 }}. Iowa Geological Survey. 1909. p. 566.</ref>

===Early settlement===
[[File:Flood at Fort Des Moines in 1851 - History of Iowa.jpg|thumb|Flood of Des Moines, 1851]]

Settlers occupied the abandoned fort and nearby areas. On May 25, 1846, the state legislature designated Fort Des Moines as the seat of Polk County. Arozina Perkins, a school teacher who spent the winter of 1850–1851 in the town of Fort Des Moines, was not favorably impressed:

<blockquote>This is one of the strangest looking "cities" I ever saw... This town is at the juncture of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. It is mostly a level prairie with a few swells or hills around it. We have a court house of "brick" and one church, a plain, framed building belonging to the Methodists. There are two taverns here, one of which has a most important little bell that rings together some fifty boarders. I cannot tell you how many dwellings there are, for I have not counted them; some are of logs, some of brick, some framed, and some are the remains of the old [[dragoon]] houses... The people support two papers and there are several dry goods shops. I have been into but four of them... Society is as varied as the buildings are. There are people from nearly every state, and Dutch, Swedes, etc.<ref>Perkins, Arozina, 1851 letter in: (1984) "Teaching in Fort Des Moines, Iowa: November 13, 1850 to March 21, 1851." In ''Women Teachers on the Frontier,'' edited by P. W. Kaufman, pp. 126–143. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut.</ref></blockquote>

In May 1851, much of the town was destroyed during the [[Flood of 1851]]. "The Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers rose to an unprecedented height, inundating the entire country east of the Des Moines River. Crops were utterly destroyed, houses and fences swept away."<ref>Mills and Company (1866) ''Des Moines City Directory and Business Guide.'' Des Moines, Iowa: Mills and Company, p. 6. Microfilm, State Historical Society Library, Iowa City.</ref> The city started to rebuild from scratch.

===Era of growth===
[[File:Birthplace of Des Moines.jpg|thumb|The Barney Sakulin cabin, moved from Washington County, memorializes Fort Des Moines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic American Buildings Survey Records |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ia0081 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Hdl.loc.gov}}</ref>]]
On September 22, 1851, Des Moines was incorporated as a city; the charter was approved by voters on October 18. In 1857, the name "Fort Des Moines" was shortened to "Des Moines", and it was designated as the second state capital, previously at [[Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]]. Growth was slow during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] period, but the city exploded in size and importance after a railroad link was completed in 1866.<ref>Brigham, Johnson (1911) ''Des Moines: The Pioneer of Municipal Progress and Reform of the Middle West.'' Volume 1. Chicago: S. J. Clarke</ref>

In 1864, the Des Moines Coal Company was organized to begin the first systematic mining in the region. Its first mine, north of town on the river's west side, was exhausted by 1873. The Black Diamond mine, near the south end of the West Seventh Street Bridge, sank a {{convert|150|ft|m|adj=on}} [[shaft mining|mine shaft]] to reach a {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=mid|-thick}} coal bed. By 1876, this mine employed 150 men and shipped 20 carloads of coal per day. By 1885, numerous mine shafts were within the city limits, and mining began to spread into the surrounding countryside. By 1893, 23 mines were in the region.<ref name="lees_coal">James H. Lees, "History of Coal Mining in Iowa", Chapter III of [https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA566 ''Annual Report, 1908''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117093152/https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA415&pg=PA566 |date=January 17, 2016 }}, Iowa Geological Survey, 1909, pages 566–569.</ref> By 1908, Des Moines' coal resources were largely exhausted.<ref name="hinds">Henry Hinds, "The Coal Deposits of Iowa", [https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA121 ''Annual Report, 1908''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116163201/https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA415&pg=PA121 |date=January 16, 2016 }}, Iowa Geological Survey, 1909, pages 121–127, and see map on page 102.</ref> In 1912, Des Moines still had eight locals of the [[United Mine Workers]] union, representing 1,410 miners.<ref>Tally Sheet, [https://books.google.com/books?id=cfAUAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA1005 ''Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Convention of the United Mine Workers of America''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116180310/https://books.google.com/books?id=cfAUAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA1005 |date=January 16, 2016 }}, Jan 16&nbsp;– February 2, 1912, Indianapolis; Volume 2, pages 180A–184A.</ref> This was about 1.7% of the city's population in 1910.

By 1880, Des Moines had a population of 22,408, making it Iowa's largest city. It displaced the three Mississippi River ports: Burlington, Dubuque, and Davenport, which had alternated holding the position since the territorial period. Des Moines has remained Iowa's most populous city. In 1910, the Census Bureau reported Des Moines' population as 97.3% white and 2.7% black, reflecting its early settlement pattern primarily by ethnic Europeans.<ref name="census">{{Cite web |title=Iowa&nbsp;— Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |df=mdy}}</ref>

==="City Beautiful" project, decline and rebirth===
[[File:The Capitol.jpg|alt=Iowa State Capitol building in 1917|thumb|Iowa State Capitol building, 1917]]
[[File:A2738-19a small.jpg|thumb|[[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in Des Moines on June 30, 1966, near 5th Avenue and the (now-demolished) Hotel Franklin]]

At the turn of the 20th century, encouraged by the Civic Committee of the [[Des Moines Women's Club]], Des Moines undertook a "[[City Beautiful]]" project in which large [[Beaux Arts (architecture)|Beaux Arts]] public buildings and fountains were constructed along the Des Moines River. The former [[Old Downtown Des Moines Library|Des Moines Public Library building]] (now the home of the [[World Food Prize]]); the United States [[U.S. Post Office (Des Moines, Iowa)|central Post Office]], built by the federal government (now the Polk County Administrative Building, with a newer addition); and the [[Des Moines City Hall|City Hall]] are surviving examples of the 1900–1910 buildings. They form the [[Civic Center Historic District (Des Moines, Iowa)|Civic Center Historic District]].

The ornate riverfront balustrades that line the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers were built by the federal [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] in the mid-1930s, during the [[Great Depression]] under Democratic President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], as a project to provide local employment and improve infrastructure. The ornamental fountains that stood along the riverbank were buried in the 1950s when the city began a postindustrial decline that lasted until the late 1980s.<ref>Dahl, Orin L. (1978) ''Des Moines: Capital City: A Pictorial and Entertaining Commentary on the Growth and Development of Des Moines, Iowa.'' Continental Heritage, Tulsa.</ref><ref>Gardiner, Allen (2004) ''Des Moines: A History in Pictures.'' Heritage Media, San Marcos, California.</ref> The city has since rebounded, transforming from a blue-collar industrial city to a white-collar professional city.

[[File:FEMA - 2938 - Photograph by Andrea Booher taken on 07-19-1993 in Iowa.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of floodwaters, July 19, 1993]]
In 1907, the city adopted a [[city commission government]] known as the Des Moines Plan, comprising an elected mayor and four commissioners, all elected [[at-large]], who were responsible for public works, public property, public safety, and finance. Considered progressive at the time, it diluted the votes of ethnic and national minorities, who generally could not command a majority to elect a candidate of their choice.

That form of government was scrapped in 1950 in favor of a [[council-manager]] government, with the council members elected at-large. In 1967, the city changed its government to elect four of the seven city council members from [[single-member district]]s or wards, rather than at-large. This enabled a broader representation of voters. As with many major urban areas, the city core began losing population to the suburbs in the 1960s (the peak population of 208,982 was recorded in 1960), as highway construction led to new residential construction outside the city. The population was 198,682 in 2000 and grew slightly to 200,538 in 2009.<ref name="citypop">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Iowa: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009 |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2009-04-19.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184052/http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2009-04-19.xls |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |format=XLS |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The growth of the outlying suburbs has continued, and the overall metropolitan-area population is over 700,000 today.

During the [[Great Flood of 1993]], heavy rains throughout June and early July caused the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers to rise above flood stage levels. The Des Moines Water Works was submerged by floodwaters during the early morning hours of July 11, 1993, leaving an estimated 250,000 people without running water for 12 days and without drinking water for 20 days. Des Moines suffered major flooding again in June 2008 with a major [[levee]] breach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 14, 2008 |title=Flood-Ravaged Iowa Scrambles to Mend Levees, Protect Water Supplies and Salvage Homes |publisher=Fox News Channel |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/flood-ravaged-iowa-scrambles-to-mend-levees-protect-water-supplies-and-salvage-homes |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917161044/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367004,00.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Des Moines River is controlled upstream by [[Saylorville Lake|Saylorville Reservoir]]. In both 1993 and 2008, the flooding river overtopped the reservoir spillway.

Today, Des Moines is a member of [[ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA]]. Through ICLEI, Des Moines has implemented "The Tomorrow Plan", a regional plan focused on developing central Iowa in a sustainable fashion, centrally planned growth, and resource consumption to manage the local population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-22 |title=The Tomorrow Plan |url=https://dmampo.org/the-tomorrow-plan/ |access-date=2020-04-21 |website=Des Moines Area MPO |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Des Moines, Iowa aerial 01A.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Des Moines]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|90.65|sqmi|sqkm|2}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gazetteer files, 2015 |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2015_Gazetteer/2015_gaz_place_19.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204611/http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2015_Gazetteer/2015_gaz_place_19.txt |archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> of which {{convert|88.93|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|1.73|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is covered by water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{Cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2015 |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2015_Gazetteer/2015_gaz_place_19.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204611/http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2015_Gazetteer/2015_gaz_place_19.txt |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=July 5, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> It is {{Convert|850|ft|m}} above sea level at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers.

In November 2005, Des Moines voters approved a measure that allowed the city to annex parcels of land in the northeast, southeast, and southern corners of Des Moines without agreement by local residents, particularly areas bordering the [[Iowa Highway 5]]/[[U.S. Route 65 in Iowa|U.S. 65]] bypass. The annexations became official on June 26, 2009, as {{cvt|5174|acre|sqkm}} and around 868 new residents were added to the city of Des Moines.<ref name="annex">{{Cite web |last=City of Des Moines |title=Annexation |url=http://www.dmgov.org/NewsDocuments/Annexation.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726001335/http://www.dmgov.org/NewsDocuments/Annexation.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011}}</ref> An additional {{cvt|759 |acre|sqkm}} were voluntarily annexed to the city over that same period.<ref name=annex/>

===Metropolitan area===
{{main|Des Moines metropolitan area}}

===Cityscape===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Iowa}}
The skyline of Des Moines changed in the 1970s and the 1980s, when several new skyscrapers were built. Additional skyscrapers were built in the 1990s, including Iowa's tallest. Before then, the 19-story [[Equitable Building (Des Moines)|Equitable Building]], from 1924, was the tallest building in the city and the tallest building in Iowa. The 25-story [[Financial Center]] was completed in 1973 and the 36-story [[Ruan Center]] was completed in 1974. They were later joined by the 33-story [[Des Moines Marriott Hotel]] (1981), the 25-story [[HUB Tower]] and 25-story [[Plaza Building (Des Moines, Iowa)|Plaza Building]] (1985). Iowa's tallest building, [[Principal Financial Group]]'s 45-story tower at [[801 Grand]] was built in 1991, and the 19-story [[EMC Insurance Building]] was erected in 1997.

During this time period, the [[Civic Center of Greater Des Moines]] (1979) was developed; it hosts Broadway shows and special events. Also constructed were the [[Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden]] (1979), a large city botanical garden/greenhouse on the east side of the river; the [[Iowa Events Center#Polk County Convention Complex|Polk County Convention Complex]] (1985), and the State of Iowa Historical Museum (1987). The Des Moines [[skyway|skywalk]] also began to take shape during the 1980s. The skywalk system is {{convert|4|mi}} long and connects many downtown buildings.<ref>[http://www.seedesmoines.com/get_around/skywalks.php Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605120927/http://www.seedesmoines.com/get_around/skywalks.php |date=June 5, 2010 }}. Seedesmoines.com (July 21, 1998). Retrieved on September 5, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.gannett.com/about/map/ataglance/desmoin.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516164756/http://www.gannett.com/about/map/ataglance/desmoin.htm|date=May 16, 2010}}</ref>

In the early 21st century, the city has had more major construction in the downtown area. The new [[Science Center of Iowa]] and Blank IMAX Dome Theater and the [[Iowa Events Center]] opened in 2005. The new central branch of the Des Moines Public Library, designed by renowned architect [[David Chipperfield]] of London, opened on April 8, 2006.

The [[World Food Prize]] Foundation, which is based in Des Moines, completed adaptation and restoration of the [[Public Library of Des Moines|former Des Moines Public Library]] building in October 2011. The former library now serves as the home and headquarters of the [[Norman Borlaug]]/World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
{{wide image|Des Moines c1907 LOC pan 6a05088.jpg|700px|align-cap=center|A 1906 panorama, with the [[Iowa State Capitol]] in center}}

===Climate===
At the center of North America and far removed from large bodies of water, the Des Moines area has a hot summer type [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfa''), with warm to hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Summer temperatures can often climb into the {{convert|90|°F|0}} range, occasionally reaching {{convert|100|°F|0}}. Humidity can be high in spring and summer, with frequent afternoon [[thunderstorm]]s. Fall brings pleasant temperatures and colorful [[fall foliage]]. Winters vary from moderately cold to bitterly cold, with low temperatures venturing below {{convert|0|°F}} quite often. Snowfall averages {{convert|36.5|in|cm|0}} per season, and annual precipitation averages {{convert|36.55|in|mm|0}}, with a peak in the warmer months. Winters are slightly colder than [[Chicago]], but still warmer than [[Minneapolis]], with summer temperatures being very similar between the [[Upper Midwest]] metropolitan areas.

{{Des Moines, Iowa weatherbox}}

==Demographics==
The city has the largest African American population in Iowa.<ref>{{cite web |title=African-Americans in Iowa: 2023 |url=https://dev.iowadatacenter.org/application/files/2816/7569/3152/AfricanAmericanStatus2023.pdf |website=iowadatacenter.org |publisher=State Data Center of Iowa, Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

{{US Census population
|1850= 502
|1860= 3965
|1870= 12035
|1880= 22408
|1890= 50093
|1900= 62139
|1910= 86368
|1920= 126468
|1930= 142559
|1940= 159819
|1950= 177965
|1960= 208982
|1970= 201404
|1980= 191003
|1990= 193187
|2000= 198682
|2010= 203433
|2020= 214133
|estyear=2024
|estimate=213096
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=June 4, 2015 |publisher=Census.gov |df=mdy}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Demographic profile !! 2020<ref name="cen2020" /> !! 2010<ref name="census1" /> !! 1990<ref name="census" /> !! 1970<ref name="census" /> !! 1950<ref name="census" />
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 64.5% || 76.4% || 89.2% || 93.8% || 95.4%
|-
|&nbsp;—[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic]] || 61.0% || 70.5% || 87.8% || 92.7%{{efn|name="fifteen"|From 15% sample}} || N/A
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]] || 11.7% || 10.2% || 7.1% || 5.7% || 4.5%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 15.6% || 12.0% || 2.4% || 1.3%{{efn|name="fifteen"}} || N/A
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 6.8% || 4.4% || 2.4% || 0.2% || −
|}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;
|+ Racial and ethnic composition as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]<ref name="2020-census-1921000-P2">{{Cite web |title=Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino By Race: Des Moines city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1921000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=28 October 2022 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE">{{Cite web|title=P1: Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Des Moines city, Iowa|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=p2&g=160XX00US1921000|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
|-
! Race or Ethnicity<br /> ''(NH = Non-Hispanic)''
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Race Alone
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total{{Efn|The total for each race includes those who reported that race alone or in combination with other races. People who reported a combination of multiple races may be counted multiple times, so the sum of all percentages will exceed 100%.}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|aline=right| {{bartable|61.0|%|2||background:gray}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|64.5|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]{{efn|Hispanic and Latino origins are separate from race in the U.S. Census. The Census does not distinguish between Latino origins alone or in combination. This row counts Hispanics and Latinos of any race.}}
|aline=right| {{bartable}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|15.6|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|African American]] (NH)
|aline=right| {{bartable|11.5|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|11.7|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|aline=right| {{bartable|6.7|%|2||background:purple}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|6.8|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (NH)
|aline=right| {{bartable|0.3|%|2||background:gold}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|0.7|%|2||background:gold}}
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|aline=right| {{bartable|0.06|%|2||background:pink}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|0.06|%|2||background:pink}}
|-
| Other
|aline=right| {{bartable|0.4|%|2||background:brown}}
|aline=right| {{bartable|6.6|%|2||background:brown}}
|}

The [[2020 United States census]] counted 214,133 people, 87,958 households, and 48,599 families in Des Moines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name="data.census.gov" /> The population density was 2,428.4 per square mile (937.6/km{{sup|2}}). There were 95,082 housing units at an average density of 1,078.3 per square mile (416.3/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name="data.census.gov">{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web   |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 64.54% (138,200) [[White (U.S. census)|white]] or [[European American]] (60.99% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 11.68% (25,011) [[African American (U.S. census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.69% (1,474) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 6.76% (14,474) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.06% (135) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 6.62% (14,178) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9.65% (20,661) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref name="US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE"/>

The racial and ethnic makeup (where Hispanics are excluded from the racial counts and placed in their own category) was 60.99% (130,599) [[Non-Hispanic whites|White alone (non-Hispanic)]], 11.46% (24,538) [[African American (U.S. census)|Black alone (non-Hispanic)]], 0.28% (597) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American alone (non-Hispanic)]], 6.70% (14,348) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian alone (non-Hispanic)]], 0.06% (124) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic)]], 0.38% (817) [[Race (United States Census)|Other Race alone (non-Hispanic)]], 4.50% (9,630) [[Multiracial Americans|Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic)]], and 15.64% (33,480) [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Des Moines city, Iowa|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1921000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

The 2020 census population of the city included 252 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 2,378 people in student housing.<ref name="2020-P5-1921000">{{Cite web |title=Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Des Moines city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1921000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P5 |access-date=28 October 2022 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 87,958 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18; 35.5% were married couples living together; 31.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.3% of households consisted of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="data.census.gov" /> The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 19.9% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Of the population age 25 and over, 86.7% were high school graduates or higher and 27.9% had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2020-SocChar-1921000">{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Des Moines city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1921000&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP02 |access-date=28 October 2022 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males.<ref name="data.census.gov" /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.4 males.<ref name="data.census.gov" />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $54,843 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,544) and the median family income was $66,420 (+/- $1,919).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $38,326 (+/- $1,405) versus $29,855 (+/- $1,327) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,699 (+/- $740).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 12.1% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Des%20Moines%20city,%20Iowa%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Des Moines (5560433688).png|thumb|left|Map of racial distribution in Des Moines, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ff0000|White}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#0000ff|Black}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#00ffaa|Asian}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ffa600|Hispanic}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ffff07|Other}}]]
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 203,433 people, 81,369 households, and 47,491 families residing in the city.<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=May 11, 2012 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> [[Population density]] was {{convert|2515.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 88,729 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1097.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city for [[unincorporated areas]] not merged with the city proper was 66.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 15.5% [[African American (U.S. census)|African Americans]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 4.0% [[Asian people|Asian]], and 2.6% from [[Two or more races]]. People of [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] origin, of any race, made up 12.1% of the population. The city's racial make up during the 2010 census was 76.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 10.2% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (1.2% Vietnamese, 0.9% Laotian, 0.4% Burmese, 0.3% Asian Indian, 0.3% Thai, 0.2% Chinese, 0.2% Cambodian, 0.2% Filipino, 0.1% Hmong, 0.1% Korean, 0.1% Nepalese), 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.4% from two or more races. People of [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] origin, of any race, formed 12.0% of the population (9.4% Mexican, 0.7% Salvadoran, 0.3% Guatemalan, 0.3% Puerto Rican, 0.1% Honduran, 0.1% Ecuadorian, 0.1% Cuban, 0.1% Spaniard, 0.1% Spanish). [[Non-Hispanic Whites]] were 70.5% of the population in 2010.<ref name="census1">{{Cite web |title=Des Moines (city), Iowa |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/1921000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910062553/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/1921000.html |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |website=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> Des Moines also has a sizeable [[South Sudanese]] community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sudan Project: Being Sudanese American in Iowa |url=https://www.thegazette.com/news/the-sudan-project-being-sudanese-american-in-iowa-2/ |website=www.thegazette.com}}</ref>

There were 81,369 households, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the 2000 census, there were 198,682 people, 80,504 households, and 48,704 families in the city.<ref name="GR2">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |df=mdy}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|2,621.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 85,067 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,122.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Census 2000|racial makeup]] of the city was 82.3% [[White American|white]], 8.07% [[African American|Black]], 0.35% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 3.50% Asian, 0.05% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 3.52% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Census 2000|other races]], and 2.23% from two or more races. 6.61% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race. 20.9% were of [[Germans|German]], 10.3% Irish, 9.1% "American" and 8.0% English ancestry, according to [[2000 United States census|Census 2000]].

There were 80,504 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,408, and the median income for a family was $46,590. Males had a median income of $31,712 versus $25,832 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,467. About 7.9% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those ages 65 or over.

==Economy==
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:350px;"
|+ Des Moines' top non-government employers (2021)<ref name="CAFRDM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dsmpartnership.com/filesimages/Growing%20Business%20Here/Major%20Employers/Regional%20Major%20Employers%20for%20posting%208%209%202021.pdf|title=Major Employers in the Greater Des Moines Region}}</ref>
|-
!Rank
!Employer
!# of<br />employees
|-
|style="text-align:center"|1
| [[Wells Fargo|Wells Fargo & Co.]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|13,500
|-
|style="text-align:center"|2
| [[UnityPoint Health]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|8,026
|-
|style="text-align:center"|3
| [[Principal Financial Group]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|6,600
|-
|style="text-align:center"|4
| [[MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center|MercyOne]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|4,276
|-
|style="text-align:center"|5
| [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|3,500
|-
|style="text-align:center"|6
| [[Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company|Nationwide/Allied Insurance]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|3,300
|-
|style="text-align:center"|7
| [[John Deere]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|2,884
|-
|style="text-align:center"|8
| [[Corteva]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|2,500
|-
|style="text-align:center"|9
| [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|1,721
|-
|style="text-align:center"|10
| [[Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield]]
|style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.5em;"|1,600
|}

Many insurance companies are headquartered in Des Moines, including the [[Principal Financial Group]], [[Fidelity & Guaranty Life]], [[Allied Insurance]], [[GuideOne Insurance]], [[Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield]] of Iowa and [[FBL Financial Group]]. Iowa has one of the lowest insurance premium taxes in the nation at 1%, and does not charge any premium taxes on qualified life insurance plans, making the state attractive to insurance business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Iowa Economic Development |url=https://www.iowaeda.com/finance-insurance/pro-business-environment/}}</ref>  Des Moines has been referred to as the "Hartford of the West" and "Insurance Capital" because of this.<ref>Neal R. Peirce (1973), [https://books.google.com/books?id=JyqbTl9fsc4C&dq=Des+Moines+%22Hartford+of+the+West%22&pg=PA106 The Great Plains States of America: People, Politics, and Power in the Nine Great Plains States], W. W. Norton & Company, {{ISBN|0-393-05349-0}}, page 106</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-27 |title=The Insurance Capital of the U.S.? Look to Des Moines |url=https://www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/growth-studio/des-moines-iowa-insurance |access-date=2021-04-15 |website=www.uschamber.com/co |language=en-US}}</ref> Principal is one of two [[Fortune 500]] companies with headquarters in Iowa (the other being [[Casey's|Casey's General Stores]]), ranking 201st on the magazine's list in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Principal Financial |url=https://fortune.com/company/principal-financial/fortune500/ |access-date=16 March 2021 |website=Fortune}}</ref>

As a center of financial and insurance services, other major corporations headquartered outside of Iowa have a presence in the Des Moines Metro area, including [[Wells Fargo]], [[Voya Financial]], and [[Electronic Data Systems]] (EDS). The [[Meredith Corporation]], a leading publishing and marketing company, was also based in Des Moines prior to its acquisition by [[IAC (company)|IAC]] and merger with [[Dotdash]] in 2021. Meredith published ''[[Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)|Better Homes and Gardens]]'', one of the most widely circulated publications in the United States. Des Moines was also the headquarters of ''[[Golf Digest]]'' magazine.

Other major employers in Des Moines include [[UnityPoint Health]], [[Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines|Mercy Medical Center]], [[MidAmerican Energy Company]], [[CDS Global]], [[United Parcel Service|UPS]], [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]], [[Lumen Technologies]], [[Drake University]], [[Titan Tire Corporation|Titan Tire]], ''[[The Des Moines Register]]'', [[Anderson Erickson Dairy|Anderson Erickson]], [[Andersen Corporation|EMCO]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.dsmpartnership.com/filesimages/Growing%20Business%20Here/Major%20Employers/Major%20Employer%20List%202023.pdf | title = Major Employer List 2023 | publisher = Greater Des Moines Partnership | date = 2023-05-17 |access-date=February 9, 2024 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240209000530/https://www.dsmpartnership.com/filesimages/Growing%20Business%20Here/Major%20Employers/Major%20Employer%20List%202023.pdf | archive-date = 2024-02-09}}</ref>

The [[Brotherhood of American Yeomen]], headquartered in Des Moines, went through various mergers before it became [[AmerUs]], which was purchased by [[Aviva]] in 2006, for $2.9 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13839791 |title=Aviva to acquire AmerUs for $2.9 billion |publisher=NBCNews.com |year=2006}}</ref> In 2017, [[Kemin Industries]] opened a state-of-the-art worldwide headquarters building in Des Moines.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Can Kemin help revive Des Moines' floundering agribusiness park? |language=en |work=Des Moines Register |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2017/08/27/can-kemin-help-revive-des-moines-floundering-agribusiness-park/594642001/ |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
===Arts and theater===
[[File:Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.jpg|thumb|right|The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines]]

The City of Des Moines is a cultural center for Iowa and home to several art and history museums and [[performing arts]] groups. The Des Moines Performing Arts routinely hosts touring [[Broadway shows]] and other live professional theater. The Temple for Performing Arts and Des Moines Playhouse are other venues for live theater, comedy, and performance arts.

The [[Des Moines Metro Opera]] has been a cultural resource in Des Moines since 1973. The Opera offers educational and outreach programs and is one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. [[Ballet Des Moines]] was established in 2002. Performing three productions each year, the Ballet also provides opportunities for education and outreach.

The [[Des Moines Symphony]] performs frequently at different venues. In addition to performing seven pairs of classical concerts each season, the Symphony also entertains with New Year's Eve Pops and its annual Yankee Doodle Pops concerts.

''Jazz in July''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro Arts Alliance of Greater Des Moines |url=http://www.metroarts.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101171002/http://metroarts.org/ |archive-date=November 1, 2010 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Metroarts.org}}</ref> is an annual event founded in 1969 that performs free jazz shows daily at venues throughout the city during July.

[[File:Wellsfargoarena.jpg|thumb|Casey's Center]]
[[Casey's Center]] is the Des Moines area's primary venue for sporting events and concerts since its opening in 2005. Named for title sponsor [[Casey's]], Casey's Center holds 16,980 and books large, national touring acts for [[arena concert]] performances, while several smaller venues host local, regional, and national bands. It is the home of the [[Iowa Wolves]] of the [[NBA G League]], the [[Iowa Wild]] of the [[American Hockey League]], and the [[Iowa Barnstormers]] of the [[Indoor Football League]].

The [[Simon Estes]] Riverfront Amphitheater is an outdoor concert venue on the east bank of the [[Des Moines River]] which hosts music events such as the Alive Concert Series.

The [[Des Moines Art Center]], with wings designed by architects [[I.M. Pei]] and [[Richard Meier]], presents art exhibitions and educational programs as well as studio art classes. The Center houses a collection of artwork from the 19th century to the present. An extension of the art center is downtown in an urban museum space, featuring three or four exhibitions each year.

[[File:View from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.jpg|thumb|The Pappajohn Sculpture Park in the Downtown's [[Western Gateway Park]] plays host to the [[Des Moines Arts Festival]].]]
The [[Pappajohn Sculpture Park]] was established in 2009. It showcases a collection of 24 sculptures donated by Des Moines philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn. Nearby is the Temple for Performing Arts, a cultural center for the city. Next to the Temple is the {{convert|117000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Central Library, designed by renowned English architect [[David Chipperfield]].

[[Salisbury House (Des Moines, Iowa)|Salisbury House and Gardens]] is a 42-room historic house museum on {{convert|10|acres|0|abbr=on}} of woodlands in the South of Grand neighborhood of Des Moines. It is named after—and loosely inspired by—King's House in [[Salisbury, England|Salisbury]], England. Built in the 1920s by cosmetics magnate Carl Weeks and his wife, Edith, the Salisbury House contains authentic 16th-century English oak and rafters dating to [[Shakespeare]]'s days, numerous other architectural features re-purposed from other historic English homes, and an internationally significant collection of original fine art, tapestries, decorative art, furniture, musical instruments, and rare books and documents. The Salisbury House is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and has been featured on A&E's ''[[America's Castles]]'' and PBS's ''[[Antiques Roadshow (American TV program)|Antiques Roadshow]]''. Prominent artists in the Salisbury House collection include [[Joseph Stella]], [[Lillian Genth]], [[Anthony van Dyck]] and [[Lawrence Alma-Tadema]].

Built in 1877 by prominent pioneer businessman [[Hoyt Sherman]], [[Hoyt Sherman Place]] mansion was Des Moines' first public art gallery and houses a distinctive collection of 19th and 20th century artwork. Its restored 1,250-seat theater features an intricate [[rococo]] plaster ceiling and excellent acoustics and is used for a variety of cultural performances and entertainment.

===Attractions===
[[File:Iowa State Capitol - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Iowa State Capitol]], completed in 1886, is one of two state capitols to feature five domes, a central golden dome surrounded by four smaller domes. The other is the [[Rhode Island State House]].]]
Arising in the east and facing westward toward downtown, the [[Iowa State Capitol]] building with its {{convert|275|ft|m|adj=on}}, 23-karat gold leafed dome towering above the city is a favorite of sightseers. Four smaller domes flank the main dome. The Capitol houses the governor's offices, legislature, and the old Supreme Court Chambers. The ornate interior also features a grand staircase, mural "Westward", five-story law library, scale model of the [[USS Iowa (BB-61)|USS ''Iowa'']], and collection of first lady dolls. Guided tours are available.

The Capitol grounds include a World War II memorial with sculpture and Wall of Memories, the 1894 Soldiers and Sailors Monument of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and memorials honoring those who served in the [[Spanish–American War|Spanish–American]], [[Korean War|Korean]], and [[Vietnam War]]s.
The West Capitol Terrace provides the entrance from the west to the state's grandest building, the [[State Capitol Building]]. The {{convert|10|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} "people's park" at the foot of the Capitol complex includes a promenade and landscaped gardens, in addition to providing public space for rallies and special events. A granite map of Iowa depicting all 99 counties rests at the base of the terrace and has become an attraction for in-state visitors, many of whom walk over the map to find their home county.

[[File:SHSI Des Moines.jpg|thumb|The State of Iowa Historical Museum is near the state capitol in Des Moines' East Village.]]
Iowa's history lives on in the [[State Historical Society of Iowa|State of Iowa Historical Museum]]. This modern granite and glass structure at the foot of the State Capitol Building houses permanent and temporary exhibits exploring the people, places, events, and issues of Iowa's past. The showcase includes native wildlife, [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] and pioneer artifacts, and political and military items. The museum features a genealogy and Iowa history library, museum gift shop, and cafe.

[[Terrace Hill]], a National Historic Landmark and Iowa Governor's Residence, is among the best examples of American Victorian Second Empire architecture. This opulent 1869 home was built by Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin F. Allen, and restored to the late 19th century period. It overlooks downtown Des Moines and is situated on {{convert|8|acre|ha}} with a re-created Victorian formal garden. Tours are conducted Tuesdays through Saturdays from March through December.

The {{convert|110000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater offers seven interactive learning areas, live programs, and hands-on activities encouraging learning and fun for all ages. Among its three theaters include the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater, 175-seat [[John Deere]] Adventure Theater featuring live performances, and a {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}} domed Star Theater.

The [[Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden]], an indoor conservatory of over 15,000 exotic plants, is one of the largest collections of tropical, subtropical, and desert-growing plants in the Midwest. The Center blooms with thousands of flowers year-round. Nearby are the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens and Pavilion, named in honor of the former governor whose influence helped relocate thousands of Vietnamese refugees to Iowa homes in the 1970s and 1980s. Developed by the city's Asian community, the Gardens include a three-story Chinese pavilion, bonsai landscaping, and granite sculptures to highlight the importance of diversity and recognize Asian American contributions in Iowa.

[[Blank Park Zoo]] is a landscaped {{convert|22|acre|ha|adj=on}} zoological park on the south side. Among the exhibits include a tropical rain forest, Australian Outback, and Africa. The Zoo offers education classes, tours, and rental facilities.

The [[Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary]] was established as a scientific research facility with a {{convert|230|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus housing bonobos and orangutans for the noninvasive interdisciplinary study of their cognitive and communicative capabilities.

[[File:Des Moines East Village.jpg|thumb|Locust Street looking east from 4th Street toward the Iowa State Capitol in East Village]]
The [[East Village, Des Moines|East Village]], on the east side of the [[Des Moines River]], begins at the river and extends about five blocks east to the State Capitol Building, offering an eclectic blend of historic buildings, hip eateries, boutiques, art galleries, and a wide variety of other retail establishments mixed with residences.

[[Adventureland Park]] is an amusement park in neighboring [[Altoona, Iowa|Altoona]], just northeast of Des Moines. The park boasts more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including six rollercoasters. A hotel and campground is just outside the park. Also in Altoona is [[Prairie Meadows Racetrack|Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino]], an entertainment venue for gambling and horse racing. Open 24 hours a day, year-round, the racetrack and casino features live racing, plus over 1,750 slot machines, table games, and concert and show entertainment. The racetrack hosts two [[Graded stakes race|Grade III]] races annually, the Iowa Oaks and the Cornhusker Handicap.

[[Living History Farms]] in suburban [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]] tells the story of Midwestern agriculture and rural life in a {{convert|500|acre|km2|adj=on}} open-air museum with interpreters dressed in period costume who recreate the daily routines of early Iowans. Open daily from May through October, the Living History Farms include a 1700 Ioway Indian village, 1850 pioneer farm, 1875 frontier town, 1900 horse-powered farm, and a modern crop center.

[[Henry Wallace House|Wallace House]] was the home of the first Henry Wallace, a national leader in agriculture and conservation and the first editor of ''[[Wallaces' Farmer]]'' farm journal. This restored 1883 Italianate Victorian houses exhibits, artifacts, and information covering four generations of Henry Wallaces and other family members.

Historic [[Jordan House (West Des Moines, Iowa)|Jordan House]] in [[West Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines]] is a stately Victorian home built in 1850 and added to in 1870 by the first white settler in West Des Moines, [[James C. Jordan]]. Completely refurbished, this mansion was part of the [[Underground Railroad]] and today houses 16 period rooms, a railroad museum, West Des Moines community history, and a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad in Iowa. In 1893 Jordan's daughter Eda was sliding down the banister when she fell off and broke her neck. She died two days later, and her ghost is reputed to haunt the house.<ref>[http://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/jordan-house Jordan House | Haunted Places | West Des Moines, Iowa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214002149/http://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/jordan-house/ |date=December 14, 2013 }}. Haunted Places (August 13, 2013). Retrieved on September 5, 2013.</ref>

The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' wrote that Iowa's capital city has "walker-friendly downtown streets and enough outdoor sculpture, sleek buildings, storefronts and cafes to delight the most jaded stroller".<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{Cite news |last=chigagotribune.com |title=Des Moines, Iowa |work=Chicago Tribune |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-mwt-desmoines-storygallery,0,932971.storygallery |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625100805/http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-mwt-desmoines-storygallery,0,932971.storygallery |archive-date=June 25, 2008}}</ref>

===Festivals and events===
[[File:4th Street Downtown Des Moines.jpg|thumb|The 4th Street Neighborhood is within the Court Avenue Entertainment District of Downtown Des Moines.]]
[[File:2006 Iowa State Fair.jpg|thumb|The Grand Concourse, between the Grandstand and the Varied Industries Building, during the 2006 Iowa State Fair]]

Des Moines plays host to a growing number of nationally acclaimed cultural events, including the annual [[Des Moines Arts Festival]] in June, Metro Arts Jazz in July,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazz in July&nbsp;— Metro Arts Alliance |url=http://www.jazzinjuly.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040340/http://www.jazzinjuly.org/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Jazzinjuly.org}}</ref> [[Iowa State Fair]] in August, and the World Food & Music Festival in September.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Food & Music Festival |url=http://worldfoodandmusicfestival.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108042825/http://worldfoodandmusicfestival.org/ |archive-date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Worldfoodandmusicfestival.org}}</ref>

Other annual festivals and events include: Des Moines Beer Week, [[80/35 Music Festival]], 515 Alive Music Festival, ArtFest Midwest, Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival |url=http://blueribbonbaconfestival.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160319022434/http://www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com/ |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Blueribbonbaconfestival.gov}}</ref>

===Museums===
* [[Des Moines Art Center]]
* [[Jordan House (West Des Moines, Iowa)|Jordan House Museum]]
* [[Hoyt Sherman Place]]
* [[Salisbury House (Des Moines, Iowa)|Salisbury House]]
* [[Science Center of Iowa]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Science Center of Iowa |url=http://www.sciowa.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109082038/http://www.sciowa.org/ |archive-date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=Sciowa.org}}</ref>
* [[State Historical Society of Iowa]]
* [[Terrace Hill]] – Official residence of the governor of Iowa
* [[Henry Wallace House|Wallace House Museum]]
* [[World Food Prize]] Hall of Laureates

===Cuisine===
* [[Tasty Tacos]]

==Sports==
[[File:Sec Taylor Field.jpg|thumb|Sec Taylor Field at Principal Park, during a May 28, 2006, [[Iowa Cubs]] game against the [[Nashville Sounds]]. The Iowa Capitol is visible beyond the center-field wall.]]
{{See also|List of Des Moines sports teams}}

Des Moines hosts professional minor league teams in several sports — baseball, basketball, hockey, indoor football, and soccer — and is home to the sports teams of Drake University which play in NCAA Division I.

The [[Des Moines Menace]] soccer club, a member of [[USL League Two]], play their home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. [[Des Moines United FC]] of the [[National Premier Soccer League]] also utilize Valley Stadium.

Des Moines is home to the [[Iowa Cubs]] baseball team of the [[International League]]. The I-Cubs, which are the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate of the major league [[Chicago Cubs]], play their home games at [[Principal Park]] near the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

[[Casey's Center]] of the [[Iowa Events Center]] is home to the [[Iowa Barnstormers]] of the [[Indoor Football League]], the [[Iowa Wild]] of the [[American Hockey League]], and the [[Iowa Wolves]] of the [[NBA G League]]. The Barnstormers relaunched as an [[af2]] club in 2008 before joining a relaunched Arena Football League in 2010 and the Indoor Football League in 2015; the Barnstormers had previously played in the Arena Football League from 1994 to 2000 (featuring future [[NFL MVP|NFL]] Hall of Famer and [[Super Bowl MVP]] [[Kurt Warner|quarterback Kurt Warner]]) before [[New York Dragons|relocating to New York]]. The Iowa Energy, a D-League team, began play in 2007. They were bought by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in 2017 and were renamed the [[Iowa Wolves]] to reflect the new ownership. The Wild, the AHL affiliate of the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Minnesota Wild]] have played at Casey's Center since 2013; previously, the [[Iowa Chops]] played four seasons in Des Moines (known as the Iowa Stars for three of those seasons.)

Additionally, the [[Des Moines Buccaneers]] of the [[United States Hockey League]] play at [[Buccaneer Arena]] in suburban [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]].

Des Moines is also home to the [[Drake University]] [[Drake Bulldogs|Bulldogs]], an [[NCAA Division I]] member of the [[Missouri Valley Conference]], primarily playing northwest of downtown at the on-campus [[Drake Stadium (Drake University)|Drake Stadium]] and [[Knapp Center]]. Drake Stadium is home to the famed [[Drake Relays]] each April. In addition to the Drake Relays, [[Drake Stadium (Drake University)|Drake Stadium]] has hosted multiple [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Outdoor Track and Field Championships and [[USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drake University (press release) |date=December 13, 2007 |title=Drake Awarded 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships |url=http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=71357&SPID=8127&DB_OEM_ID=15700&ATCLID=1352240 |url-status=live |access-date=January 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903230311/http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=71357&SPID=8127&DB_OEM_ID=15700&ATCLID=1352240 |archive-date=September 3, 2008}}</ref>

The [[Grand View Vikings|Vikings]] of [[Grand View University]] also compete in intercollegiate athletics in Des Moines. A member of the [[Heart of America Athletic Conference]], within the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]], they field 21 varsity athletic teams. They were [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] National Champions in football in 2013.

The [[Principal Charity Classic]], a Champions Tour golf event, is held at Wakonda Club in late May or early June. The IMT [[Des Moines Marathon]] is held throughout the city each October.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Professional and Division I sports teams
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | Sport
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | City
! scope="col" | Founded
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Iowa Barnstormers]]
| [[American football]]
| [[Indoor Football League]]
| [[Casey's Center]]
| Des Moines
| 1995 (2008)
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Iowa Cubs]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[International League]], [[Minor League Baseball]]
| [[Principal Park]]
| Des Moines
| 1969
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Iowa Wolves]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[NBA G League]]
| [[Casey's Center]]
| Des Moines
| 2007
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Des Moines Buccaneers]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[United States Hockey League]]
| [[Buccaneer Arena]]
| Urbandale
| 1980
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Iowa Wild]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[American Hockey League]]
| [[Casey's Center]]
| Des Moines
| 2013
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Des Moines Menace]]
| [[Soccer]]
| [[USL League Two]]
| Valley Stadium
| West Des Moines
| 1994
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Des Moines United FC]]
| [[Soccer]]
| [[National Premier Soccer League]]
| Valley Stadium
| West Des Moines
| 2021
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Drake Bulldogs]]
| Multi
| [[NCAA Division I]], [[Missouri Valley Conference]]
| [[Drake Stadium (Drake University)|Drake Stadium]], [[Knapp Center]]
| Des Moines
| 1881
|-
|}

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Kruidenier Trail Bridge at night.jpg|thumb|upright|Kruidenier Trail bridge across Gray's Lake]]
Des Moines has 76 city parks and three golf courses, as well as three family aquatic centers, five community centers and three swimming pools. The city has {{convert|45|mi|km}} of trails. The first major park was Greenwood Park. The park commissioners purchased the land on April 21, 1894.

The [[Principal Riverwalk]] is a riverwalk park district being constructed along the banks of the Des Moines River in the downtown. Primarily funded by the [[Principal Financial Group]], the Riverwalk is a multi-year jointly funded project also funded by the city and state. Upon completion, it will feature a {{convert|1.2|mi|km|adj=on}} recreational trail connecting the east and west sides of downtown via two pedestrian bridges. A landscaped promenade along the street level is planned. The Riverwalk includes the downtown Brenton Skating Plaza, open from November through March.

Gray's Lake, part of the {{convert|167|acres|0|abbr=on}} of [[Gray's Lake Park]], features a boat rental facility, fishing pier, floating boardwalks, and a park resource center. Located just south of the downtown, the centerpiece of the park is a lighted {{convert|1.9|mi|km|adj=on}} Kruidenier Trail, encircling it entirely.

From [[downtown Des Moines]] primarily along the east bank of the Des Moines River, the Neil Smith and John Pat Dorrian Trails are {{convert|28.2|mi|km|adj=on}} paved recreational trails that connect Gray's Lake northward to the east shore of [[Saylorville Lake]], [[Big Creek Lake (Iowa)|Big Creek State Park]], and the recreational trails of [[Ankeny, Iowa|Ankeny]] including the [[High Trestle Trail]].<ref name="NorthSouthTrails">{{Cite web |title=Neil Smith and John Pat Dorrain Trails |url=http://www.inhf.org//trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503145431/http://www.inhf.org/trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |website=Iowa Trails |publisher=Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation}}</ref> These trails are near several recreational facilities including the Pete Crivaro Park, [[Principal Park]], the Principal Riverwalk, the [[Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden]], Union Park and its Heritage Carousel of Des Moines, Birdland Park and the Birdland Marina/Boatramp on the [[Des Moines River]], Riverview Park, McHenry Park, and River Drive Park.<ref name="Parks">{{Cite web |title=Parks and Recreation |url=http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/Parks.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429172024/http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/Parks.aspx |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |publisher=City of Des Moines}}</ref> Although outside of Des Moines, Jester Park has {{convert|1834|acres|0|abbr=on}} of land along the western shore of Saylorville Lake and can be reached from the Neil Smith Trail over the Saylorville Dam.

Just west of Gray's Lake are the {{convert|1500|acre|ha|0}} of the Des Moines [[Water Works Park (Des Moines)|Water Works Park]]. The Water Works Park is along the banks of the [[Raccoon River]] immediately upstream from where the Raccoon River empties into the Des Moines River. The Des Moines Water Works Facility, which obtains the city's drinking water from the Raccoon River, is entirely within the Water Works Park. A bridge in the park crosses the Raccoon River. The Water Works Park recreational trails link to downtown Des Moines by travelling past Gray's Lake and back across the Raccoon River via either along the Meredith Trail near Principal Park, or along the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The Water Works Park trails connect westward to [[West Des Moines, Iowa|Valley Junction]] and the [[Clive Greenbelt Trail#Connections to other trails|recreational trails]] of the western suburbs: [[Windsor Heights, Iowa|Windsor Heights]], [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]], [[Clive, Iowa|Clive]], and [[Waukee, Iowa|Waukee]]. Also originating from Water Works Park, the [[Great Western Trail (Iowa)|Great Western Trail]] is an {{convert|18|mi|km|adj=on}} journey southward from Des Moines to [[Martensdale, Iowa|Martensdale]] through the Willow Creek Golf Course, Orilla, and [[Cumming, Iowa|Cumming]]. Often, the location for summer music festivals and concerts, Water Works Park was the overnight campground for thousands of bicyclists on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, during [[RAGBRAI]] XLI.<ref name="WaterWorks">{{Cite web |title=Water Works Park |url=http://www.dmww.com/parks-events/water-works-park/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524211057/http://www.dmww.com/parks-events/water-works-park/ |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013 |publisher=Des Moines Water Works}}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Des Moines, Iowa}}
[[File:Des Moines City Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Des Moines City Hall|Des Moines Municipal Building]]]]
Des Moines operates under a [[council–manager government|council–manager]] form of government. The council consists of a mayor who is elected in citywide vote, two at-large members, and four members representing each of the city's four wards. In 2014, Jonathan Gano was appointed as the new Public Works Director.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meinch |first=Timothy |date=Dec 31, 2014 |title=Des Moines names new public works director |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2014/12/31/jonathan-gano-des-moines-public-works/21099603 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150128131759/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2014/12/31/jonathan-gano-des-moines-public-works/21099603 |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=The Des Moines Register}}</ref> In 2015, Dana Wingert was appointed as Police Chief.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magel |first=Todd |date=February 9, 2015 |title=New Des Moines police chief approved 7-0 |url=http://www.kcci.com/news/des-moines-officials-reach-decision-on-new-police-chief/31093674 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150217114613/http://www.kcci.com/news/des-moines-officials-reach-decision-on-new-police-chief/31093674 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |website=KCCI}}</ref> In 2018, Steven L. Naber was appointed as the new City Engineer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2018 |title=City of Des Moines Selects Steve Naber as City Engineer |url=http://www.dmgov.org/NewsDocuments/20180413CityOfDesMoinesSelectsSteveNaberAsCityEngineer.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041212/http://www.dmgov.org/NewsDocuments/20180413CityOfDesMoinesSelectsSteveNaberAsCityEngineer.pdf |archive-date=May 26, 2018 |access-date=April 13, 2018 |website=Dmgov.org}}</ref>

The [[Des Moines City Council|council]] members include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government of the City of Des Moines |url=https://www.dsm.city/government/index.php |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=City of Des Moines}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable"
!Ward<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government of the City of Des Moines |url=https://www.dsm.city/government/index.php |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=www.dsm.city |language=en}}</ref>
!Locale
!Member
!Elected
!Term Ends
|-
|1
|Northwest
|Chris Coleman
|2023
|2026
|-
|2
|Northeast
|Linda Westergaard
|2015
|2028
|-
|3
|Southwest
|Josh Mandelbaum
|2017
|2026
|-
|4
|Southeast
|Joe Gatto
|2014
|2028
|-
|At-large
|Citywide
|Carl Voss
|2019
|2028
|-
|At-large
|Citywide
|Mike Simonson
|2024
|2026
|-
|Mayor
|Citywide
|[[Connie Boesen]]
|2023
|2028
|}
A plan to merge the governments of Des Moines and Polk County was rejected by voters during the November 2, 2004, election. The [[consolidated city-county]] government would have had a full-time mayor and a 15-member council that would have been divided among the city and its suburbs. Each suburb would still have retained its individual government but with the option to join the consolidated government at any time. Although a full merger was soundly rejected, several city and county departments and programs have been consolidated.

==Education==
[[File:oldmaindrake.jpg|thumb|Old Main on the campus<br />of [[Drake University]]]]
The [[Des Moines Public Schools]] district is the largest community school district in Iowa with 32,062 enrolled students as of the 2012–2013 school year. The district consists of 63 schools: 38 elementary schools, eleven [[middle school]]s, five high schools ([[East High School (Des Moines, Iowa)|East]], [[Herbert Hoover High School (Des Moines)|Hoover]], [[Abraham Lincoln High School (Des Moines)|Lincoln]], [[North High School (Des Moines)|North]], and [[Theodore Roosevelt High School (Des Moines)|Roosevelt]]), and ten special schools and programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Des Moines Public Schools |title=School Facts, Facts and Figures |url=http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/facts/4quicklfacts.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819115012/http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/facts/4quicklfacts.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=August 19, 2007 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> Small parts of the city are instead served by [[Carlisle Community Schools]],<ref name="Ourlocation">"[http://www.carlisle.k12.ia.us/dist_location.php Our Location]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213145/http://www.carlisle.k12.ia.us/dist_location.php Archive]) [[Carlisle Community Schools]]. Retrieved on April 3, 2013. "Carlisle Elementary School, which is immediately adjacent to the high school and the district office, serves students from pre-kindergarten to grade 3."</ref> [[Johnston High School|Johnston Community School District]],<ref>Johnston High School</ref> the [[Southeast Polk Community School District]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southeast Polk Community School District |url=http://sep.southeastpolk.org/district/map.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213856/http://sep.southeastpolk.org/district/map.html |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> and the [[Saydel School District]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=District Information |url=http://www.saydel.k12.ia.us/Districtinformation.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215410/http://www.saydel.k12.ia.us/Districtinformation.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> [[Grand View Christian School]] is the only private school in the city, although [[Des Moines Christian School]] (in Des Moines from 1947 to 2006) in Urbandale, [[Dowling Catholic High School]] in West Des Moines, and Ankeny Christian Academy on the north side of the metro area serve some city residents.

Des Moines is also home to the main campuses of three four-year private colleges: [[Drake University]], [[Grand View University]], and [[Mercy College of Health Sciences]]. The [[University of Iowa]] has a satellite facility in the city's [[Western Gateway Park]], while [[Iowa State University]] hosts [[Master of Business Administration]] classes downtown. [[Des Moines Area Community College]] is the area's [[community college]] with campuses in Ankeny, Des Moines, and West Des Moines. The city is also home to [[Des Moines University]], an [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic medical school]].

==Media==
{{Main|Media in Des Moines, Iowa}}
The Des Moines market, which originally consisted of [[Polk County, Iowa|Polk]], [[Dallas County, Iowa|Dallas]], [[Story County, Iowa|Story]], and [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren]] counties,<ref name="arbmap">{{Cite web |last=Arbitron |title=Arbitron Radio Metros Based on Fall 2006&nbsp;Market Definitions |url=http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/Arb_US_Metro_Map_06.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216012114/http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/Arb_US_Metro_Map_06.pdf |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |access-date=January 13, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> was ranked 91st by [[Arbitron]] as of the fall of 2007 with a population of 512,000 aged 12 and older.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arbitron |title=Market Ranks and Schedule (51–100) |url=http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/mm051100.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012233831/http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/mm051100.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> In June 2011 it moved up to 72nd with the addition of [[Boone County, Iowa|Boone]], [[Clarke County, Iowa|Clarke]], [[Greene County, Iowa|Greene]], [[Guthrie County, Iowa|Guthrie]], [[Jasper County, Iowa|Jasper]], [[Lucas County, Iowa|Lucas]], [[Madison County, Iowa|Madison]] and [[Marion County, Iowa|Marion]] counties.<ref>[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/93175/arbitron-redefines-diary-metro-surveys "Arbitron Redefines Diary Metro Surveys"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701215826/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/93175/arbitron-redefines-diary-metro-surveys |date=July 1, 2011 }} from All Access (June 27, 2011)</ref>

===Radio===

====Commercial stations====
[[iHeartMedia]] owns five radio stations in the area, including [[WHO (AM)|WHO]] 1040&nbsp;AM, a 50,000-watt AM [[talk radio|news/talk]] station that has the highest ratings in the area<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arbitron |title=Arbitron Ratings Data |url=http://www.arbitron.com/home/ratings.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014005825/http://www.arbitron.com/home/ratings.htm |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> and once employed future President [[Ronald Reagan]] as a sportscaster. In addition to WHO, iHeartMedia owns [[KDRB]] 100.3 FM ([[adult hits]]), [[KKDM]] 107.5 FM ([[contemporary hit radio|contemporary hits]]), [[KXNO-FM]] 106.3, and [[KXNO (AM)|KXNO]] 1460&nbsp;AM ([[sports radio]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clear Channel Communications |title=Clear Channel Radio: Station Search |url=http://www.clearchannel.com/Radio/StationSearch.aspx?RadioSearch=Des%20Moines |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114065333/http://www.clearchannel.com/Radio/StationSearch.aspx?RadioSearch=Des%20Moines |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> They also own news/talk station [[KASI]] 1430&nbsp;AM and [[hot adult contemporary]] station [[KCYZ]] 105.1 FM, both of which broadcast from [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]].

[[Cumulus Media]] owns five stations that broadcast from facilities in [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]]: [[KBGG]] 1700&nbsp;AM (sports), [[KGGO]] 94.9 FM ([[classic rock]]), [[KHKI]] 97.3 FM ([[country music]]), [[KJJY]] 92.5 FM (country music), and [[KWQW]] 98.3 FM ([[contemporary hit radio|contemporary hits]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Citadel Communications |title=Station and Market Finder |url=http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/citadel_broadcasting.aspx?mkt=Des+Moines&submit.x=15&submit.y=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729132727/http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/citadel_broadcasting.aspx?mkt=Des+Moines&submit.x=15&submit.y=5 |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Saga Communications owns nine stations in the area: [[KAZR]] LAZER 103.3 FM ([[Rock music|rock]]), KAZR-HD2 (oldies), 93.3 [[KIOA]] FM ([[oldies|Classic Hits]]), [[KIOA-HD2]] HITS 99.9FM & 93.3 HD2 ([[Rhythmic contemporary|Rhythmic Top 40]]), [[KOEZ (FM)|KOEZ]] 104.1 EZ FM ([[adult contemporary music|soft adult contemporary]]), [[KPSZ]] HOPE 940&nbsp;AM (Religious teaching and conservative talk), [[KRNT]] 1350&nbsp;AM ([[ESPN Radio]]), [[KSTZ]] STAR 102.5 FM ([[contemporary hit radio|adult contemporary hits]]), and KSTZ-HD2 The Outlaw (classic country).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saga Communications |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Des Moines, IA |url=https://dsmradio.com/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Des Moines Radio Group |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Other stations in the Des Moines area include religious stations [[KWKY]] 1150&nbsp;AM, and [[KPUL]] 101.7 FM.<ref name="northpine">{{Cite web |last=Northpine.com |title=Des Moines Dial Guides |url=http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/dials/desmoines.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000122222045/http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/dials/desmoines.html |archive-date=January 22, 2000 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref>

====Non-commercial stations====
Non-commercial radio stations in the Des Moines area include [[KDPS]] 88.1 FM, a station operated by the [[Des Moines Public Schools]]; [[KWDM]] 88.7 FM, a station operated by [[Valley High School (West Des Moines, Iowa)|Valley High School]]; [[KJMC]] 89.3 FM, an urban contemporary station; K213DV 90.5 FM, the contemporary Christian K-Love affiliate for the area; and KDFR 91.3 FM, operated by [[Family Radio]]. [[Iowa Public Radio]] broadcasts several stations in the Des Moines area, all of which are owned by [[Iowa State University]] and operated on campus. [[WOI (AM)|WOI]] 640&nbsp;AM, the network's flagship station, and [[WOI-FM]] 90.1, the network's flagship "Studio One" station, are both based out of Ames and serve as the area's [[National Public Radio]] outlets. The network also operates classical stations [[KICG]], [[KICJ]], [[KICL]] and [[KICP]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iowa Broadcasters' Association |title=Iowa Non-Commercial/Educational Radio Stations |url=http://www.iowabroadcasters.com/ncestat.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706052102/http://www.iowabroadcasters.com/ncestat.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |access-date=January 13, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[University of Northwestern – St. Paul]] operates [[Contemporary Christian music|Contemporary Christian]] simulcasts of [[KNWI|KNWI-FM]] at 107.1 Osceola/Des Moines, [[KNWI|KNWM-FM]] at 96.1 Madrid/Ames/Des Moines, and K264CD at 100.7 in downtown Des Moines. Low-power FM stations include KFMG-LP 99.1, a community radio station broadcasting from the [[Hotel Fort Des Moines]] and also webstreamed.<ref name="northpine" /><ref>[http://www.kfmg991.org/listen_now.php KFMG 99.1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124142248/http://www.kfmg991.org/listen_now.php |date=January 24, 2011 }}. KFMG 99.1. Retrieved on September 5, 2013.</ref>

===Television===
The Des Moines-Ames [[media market]] consists of 35 central Iowa counties: [[Adair County, Iowa|Adair]], [[Adams County, Iowa|Adams]], [[Appanoose County, Iowa|Appanoose]], [[Audubon County, Iowa|Audubon]], Boone, [[Calhoun County, Iowa|Calhoun]], [[Carroll County, Iowa|Carroll]], Clarke, Dallas, [[Decatur County, Iowa|Decatur]], [[Franklin County, Iowa|Franklin]], Greene, Guthrie, [[Hamilton County, Iowa|Hamilton]], [[Hardin County, Iowa|Hardin]], [[Humboldt County, Iowa|Humboldt]], Jasper, [[Kossuth County, Iowa|Kossuth]], Lucas, Madison, [[Mahaska County, Iowa|Mahaska]], Marion, [[Marshall County, Iowa|Marshall]], [[Monroe County, Iowa|Monroe]], [[Pocahontas County, Iowa|Pocahontas]], Polk, [[Poweshiek County, Iowa|Poweshiek]], [[Ringgold County, Iowa|Ringgold]], Story, [[Taylor County, Iowa|Taylor]], [[Union County, Iowa|Union]], Warren, [[Wayne County, Iowa|Wayne]], [[Webster County, Iowa|Webster]], and [[Wright County, Iowa|Wright]].<ref name="arbmap" /> It was ranked 71st by [[Nielsen Media Research]] for the 2008–2009 television season with 432,410 television households.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nielsen Media Research |title=Nielsen Local Television Market Universe Estimates |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/09/10/nielsen-local-television-market-universe-estimates/5037 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401072025/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/09/10/nielsen-local-television-market-universe-estimates/5037/ |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |access-date=January 17, 2009 |format=XLS}}</ref>

Commercial television stations serving Des Moines include [[CBS]] affiliate [[KCCI]] channel 8, [[NBC]] affiliate [[WHO-DT]] channel 13, and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[KDSM-TV]] channel 17. [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WOI-TV]] channel 5 and [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[KCWI-TV]] channel 23 are both licensed to [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]] and broadcast from studios in West Des Moines. [[KFPX-TV]] channel 39, the local [[ION Television|ION]] affiliate, is licensed to Newton. Two non-commercial stations are also licensed to Des Moines: KDIN channel 11, the local [[PBS]] member station and flagship of the [[Iowa Public Television]] network, and [[KDMI]] channel 19, a [[Tri-State Christian Television|TCT]] affiliate. [[Mediacom]] is the Des Moines area's cable television provider.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 22, 2018 |title=Sports TV listings for Des Moines and Iowa |work=[[The Des Moines Register]] |location=Des Moines, Iowa |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2018/04/22/sports-tv-listings-des-moines-iowa-what-channel-hawkeyes-what-channel-cyclones/513573002/ |url-status=dead |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20180508205231/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/2018/04/22/sports-tv-listings-des-moines-iowa-what-channel-hawkeyes-what-channel-cyclones/513573002/?from=new-cookie |archive-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>

===Print===
''[[The Des Moines Register]]'' is the city's primary daily newspaper. As of March 31, 2007, the ''Register'' ranked 71st in circulation among daily newspapers in the United States according to the [[Audit Bureau of Circulations (North America)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]] with 146,050 daily and 233,229 Sunday subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BurrellesLuce |title=Top 100 US Daily Newspapers |url=http://www.burrellesluce.com/top100/2007_Top_100List.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202203212/https://www.burrellesluce.com/top100/2007_Top_100List.pdf |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |access-date=January 13, 2007}}</ref> Weekly newspapers include ''Juice'', a publication aimed at the 25–34 demographic published by the ''Register'' on Wednesdays; ''[[Cityview (Des Moines)|Cityview]]'', an [[alternative weekly]] published on Thursdays; and the ''Des Moines Business Record'', a business journal published on Sundays, along with the West Des Moines Register, the Johnston Register, and the Waukee Register on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays depending on the address of the subscriber. Additionally, magazine publisher [[Meredith Corporation]] was based in Des Moines prior to its acquisition by [[IAC (company)|IAC]] and merger with [[Dotdash]] in 2021.

=== Music ===
Des Moines is the birthplace of many famously known bands and artists today. [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], a popular American heavy metal band, was founded in 1995 by percussionist [[Shawn Crahan]], former vocalist [[Anders Colsefni]] and bassist [[Paul Gray (American musician)|Paul Gray]]; the band would be also founded by [[Joey Jordison]]. The band was signed to [[Roadrunner Records|RoadRunner Records]] and has become one of the biggest bands in the metal world.

[[Stone Sour]], an American rock band, was founded in 1992 by [[Corey Taylor]] and former drummer [[Stone Sour|Joel Ekman]]. Corey would later go on to become the lead singer for [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]]. The band has since been on an indefinite hiatus since 2020.

[[Vended]], an American heavy metal band, was founded in 2018<ref name=":0">[[Vended]]</ref> by [[Griffin Taylor]] and [[Simon Crahan]], who are the sons of popular [[Corey Taylor]] and [[Shawn Crahan|Shawn "Clown" Crahan]] from [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]]. They are currently an independent band that has released one studio album in 2024<ref name=":0" /> called ''Vended'' and several singles and one EP. The band has seen growing success in the past few years, including their 2022 Vended tour in the United States with [[Jinjer]] and [[P.O.D.]]

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:I235 keynote bridge.jpg|thumb|The [[Edna Griffin|Edna M. Griffin]] Memorial Pedestrian Bridge over [[Interstate 235 (Iowa)|Interstate 235]]]]
[[File:Skywalks Spanning 7th Street.jpg|thumb|Skywalks connecting buildings over 8th Street in downtown Des Moines]]

Des Moines has an extensive [[skywalk]] system within its downtown core. With over four miles of enclosed walkway, it is one of the largest of such systems in the United States. The [[Des Moines Skywalk System]] has been criticized for hurting street-level business, though a recent initiative has been made to make street-level Skywalk entrances more visible.

[[Interstate 235 (Iowa)|Interstate 235]] (I-235) cuts through the city, and [[Interstate 35 in Iowa|I-35]] and [[Interstate 80 in Iowa|I-80]] both pass through the Des Moines metropolitan area, as well as the city of Des Moines. On the northern side of the city of Des Moines and passing through the cities of Altoona, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale and West Des Moines, I-35 and I-80 converge into a long concurrency while I-235 takes a direct route through Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and West Des Moines before meeting up with I-35 and I-80 on the western edge of the metro. The [[Des Moines Bypass]] passes south and east of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2011 |title=New Interstate 335 Coming to DM Area? |url=http://www.kcci.com/automotive/27825552/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120103449/http://www.kcci.com/automotive/27825552/detail.html |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=May 9, 2011 |publisher=KCCI News Channel 8}}</ref>  Other routes in and around the city include [[U.S. Route 6 in Iowa|US&nbsp;6]], [[U.S. Route 69 in Iowa|US&nbsp;69]], [[Iowa Highway 28|Iowa&nbsp;28]], [[Iowa Highway 141|Iowa&nbsp;141]], [[Iowa Highway 163|Iowa&nbsp;163]], [[Iowa Highway 330|Iowa&nbsp;330]], [[Iowa Highway 415|Iowa&nbsp;415]], and [[Iowa Highway 160|Iowa&nbsp;160]].

Des Moines's public transit system, operated by DART ([[Des Moines Area Regional Transit]]), which was the Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority until October 2006, consists entirely of buses, including regular in-city routes and express and commuter buses to outlying suburban areas.

Characteristics of household ownership of cars in Des Moines are similar to national averages. In 2015, 8.5 percent of Des Moines households lacked a car, and that number increased to 9.6 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Des Moines averaged 1.71 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map |url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html |url-status=dead |journal=Governing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511162014/http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref>

[[Burlington Trailways]] and [[Jefferson Lines]] run long-distance, intercity bus routes through Des Moines. The [[Des Moines Bus Station|bus station]] is located north of downtown. [[File:Des Moines%2C Iowa train station.jpg|right|thumb|The Des Moines Rock Island station]]

Although Des Moines was historically a train hub, it does not have direct passenger train service. For east–west traffic it was served at the [[Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Depot (Des Moines, Iowa)|Rock Island Depot]] by the ''Corn Belt Rocket'' express from [[Omaha]] to the west, to [[Chicago]] in the east. The Rock Island also offered the ''[[Rocky Mountain Rocket]]'' from [[Colorado Springs]] in the west, to Chicago, and the ''[[Twin Star Rocket]]'' to Minneapolis to the north and Dallas and Houston to the south. The last train was an unnamed service ending at [[Council Bluffs]], and it was discontinued on May 31, 1970.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 1970 |title=Rock Island Lines, Table 1 |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=102 |issue=12}}</ref><ref>Paul C. Nelson, University of Iowa, 'Annals of Iowa,' {{Circa|1971}}, 'a"Rise and Decline of the Rock Island Passenger Train in the 20th Century,'a" Part II, p. 751 https://pubs.lib.uiowa.edu/annals-of-iowa/article/6748/galley/115521/view/</ref>  Today, this line constitutes the mainline of the [[Iowa Interstate Railroad]].

Other railroads used the East Des Moines Union Station. Northward and northwest bound, there were [[Chicago and North Western]] trains to destinations including [[Minneapolis]]. The [[Wabash Railroad]] ran service to the southeast to [[St. Louis]].  These lines remain in use but are now operated by Union Pacific and BNSF.

The nearest [[Amtrak]] station is in [[Osceola, Iowa|Osceola]], about {{convert|40|mi|km}} south of Des Moines. The [[Osceola (Amtrak station)|Osceola station]] is served by the Chicago–San Francisco ''[[California Zephyr]]''; there is no Osceola–Des Moines [[Amtrak Thruway]] connecting service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2017 |title=The Amtrak System |url=https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/181/305/Natl-System-Timetable-0317.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901063807/https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/181/305/Natl-System-Timetable-0317.pdf |archive-date=September 1, 2017 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |website=Amtrak |type=Map}}  While this source is suggestive, it is not {{em|definitive}}: the map does not include all stations, due to the zoom (cf. the tiny print).</ref> There have been proposals to extend Amtrak's planned Chicago–Moline ''[[Quad Cities (train)|Quad City Rocket]]'' to Des Moines via the [[Iowa Interstate Railroad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa DOT Chicago-Iowa City Executive Summary.pdf |url=https://iowadot.gov/iowarail/amtrakstudy/Iowa%20DOT%20Chicago-Iowa%20City%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909192625/https://www.iowadot.gov/iowarail/amtrakstudy/Iowa%20DOT%20Chicago-Iowa%20City%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/railplan/2017/IowaSRP2017_Ch3.pdf |title=Iowa State Rail Plan Final |publisher=Iowa DOT |year=2017 |pages=3 |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013125256/https://www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/railplan/2017/IowaSRP2017_Ch3.pdf |archive-date=October 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Des Moines International Airport]] (DSM), on Fleur Drive in the southern part of Des Moines, offers nonstop service to destinations within the United States. The only international service has been cargo service, but there have been discussions about adding an international terminal.

==Sister cities==
The Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission, with members from the City of Des Moines and the suburbs of Cumming, Norwalk, Windsor Heights, Johnston, Urbandale, and Ankeny, maintains [[sister city]] relationships with:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission |url=https://www.dsm.city/departments/city_manager_s_office/greater_des_moines_sister_cities_commission.php |access-date=2020-10-30 |publisher=City of Des Moines}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Kōfu]], Japan (1958)
* {{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Saint-Étienne]], France (1985)
* {{flagdeco|CHN}} [[Shijiazhuang]], China (1985)
* {{flagdeco|KOS}} [[Pristina]], Kosovo (2018) (Kosovo also opened a Consulate in downtown Des Moines in 2015 – [[List of diplomatic missions of Kosovo]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aschbrenner |first=Joel |date=Nov 3, 2015 |title=Kosovo to open consulate in downtown Des Moines |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2015/11/03/kosovo-open-consulate-downtown-des-moines/74837908/ |access-date=November 3, 2015 |publisher=Des Moines register}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|MYS}} [[Kuala Terengganu]], Malaysia (1987)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.iowasisterstates.org/who-we-are |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717111409/https://www.iowasisterstates.org/who-we-are |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |access-date=July 17, 2021 |website=Iowa Sister States}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* [[List of people from Des Moines, Iowa]]
* [[B-Bop's]]
* [[Moingona]]
* [[Des Moines Police Department (Iowa)|Des Moines Police Department]]
* [[USS Des Moines|USS ''Des Moines'']], 3 ships
* [[Des Moines-class cruiser]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Des Moines, Iowa#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Des Moines, Iowa}}
* Friedericks, William B.  ''Covering Iowa: The History of the Des Moines Register and Tribune Company, 1849-1985'' (Iowa State University Press, 2000), 318 pp.
* {{Cite web |title=City of Des Moines Action Center Historical Guide |url=http://www.dmgov.org/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207045425/http://www.dmgov.org/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm |archive-date=December 7, 2006}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Henning |first1=Barbara Beving Long |title=Des Moines and Polk County: Flag on the Prairie |last2=Beam |first2=Patrice K. |publisher=American Historical Press |year=2003 |isbn=1-892724-34-0 |location=Sun Valley, California |name-list-style=amp}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines}}
{{EB1911 poster|Des Moines}}
{{Wikivoyage|Des Moines}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline|title=City map}}
* {{official website|http://www.dmgov.org/ }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110107011324/http://stateofthereunion.com/home/pilot-season/des-moines Des Moines Featured on NPR's] [[State of the Re:Union]]
* [https://www.catchdesmoines.com/ Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau]

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[[Category:Des Moines, Iowa| ]]
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