Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School · Photo: Larry Day, Photographer · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Des Moines as a whole is healthier than 31% of U.S. towns
Des Moines differs from Iowa on 16 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 15 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Des Moines. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Des Moines
Every town around Des Moines scores healthier
All five graded neighbors are ahead of Des Moines’ C, from Pleasant Hill (B−) to West Des Moines (A). Around town ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Des Moines
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (19.2%), vs 12% across Iowa. Housing insecurity (14.6% vs 9.4%) and utility shut-off threats (9.8% vs 6.4%) are higher too. 17% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Mental distress runs high in Des Moines
1 in 5 adults are in frequent mental distress (19%), vs 16.4% across Iowa. Lack of emotional support is above the state too: 26.4%, vs 23.3% across Iowa. Mind & connection ↓
Des Moines has four hospitals within its borders
4 hospitals and 2 community health centers are inside Des Moines. Getting care ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Iowa figure falls outside Des Moines’ likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Des Moines’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Des Moines is healthier than 31% of U.S. towns, #109 of 140 in Iowa. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 54% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 19%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Des Moines’ median household income is $65,932; among the 10,085 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($49K–$82K), it’s healthier than 39%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Des Moines compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.7% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 212,086 residents, Des Moines is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Des Moines and the towns around it
Des Moines’s Health Grade ranks 6th of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | C | 39.4% | 11.8% | 16.4% | CDC place |
| West Des Moines | A | 33.6% | 8.6% | 10.5% | CDC place |
| Pleasant Hill | B− | 37.9% | 11.3% | 14.5% | CDC place |
| Urbandale | A− | 34.6% | 9.7% | 11.4% | CDC place |
| Norwalk | A− | 38.5% | 8.3% | 11.8% | CDC place |
| Windsor Heights | A− | 35.5% | 10.4% | 11.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
17% of Des Moines adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
How Des Moines adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Des Moines runs above Iowa.
4 in 10 Des Moines adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Care in and near Des Moines
4 hospitals and 2 community health centers in Des Moines.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Des Moines; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Out of every 100 Des Moines adults…
Des Moines runs below IA on 1 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 13% of Des Moines residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Iowa. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Everyday habits, side by side with Iowa
Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.
82 miles of trails across 88 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Des Moines adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Des Moines adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Des Moines
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Des Moines is better than Iowa on 1 and worse on 15; on the rest, the Iowa figure falls inside Des Moines’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Des Moines | IA | U.S. | vs IA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 21.9%19.9–23.9 | 17.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.4%13–15.9 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19%17.3–20.9 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 39.4%35.8–43.1 | 37.7% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 11.8%10.5–13.2 | 11.2% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 32.8%30.3–35.4 | 33.9% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.5%31.9–37.4 | 35.3% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 25.6%23.5–27.8 | 27% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.3%9.2–11.5 | 9.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.7%6.1–7.3 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.1%5.5–6.7 | 6.6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 7.1%6.4–7.8 | 6.9% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.3%3.1–3.5 | 3.3% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13.2%10.9–15.6 | 11.6% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16.4%14.6–18.2 | 14.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 28.8%26–31.6 | 24.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 19.8%17.5–22.4 | 20.5% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.8%32.2–39.3 | 32.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.6%9.4–12 | 7.3% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 74.5%71.7–77.2 | 77.5% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.1%58.1–63.9 | 66.8% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 80.7%78.8–82.5 | 84.1% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 75.2%72.6–77.8 | 77.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63%59.1–66.6 | 66.6% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.9%71–81.8 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.2%19.8–24.8 | 20.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.9%33.1–39 | 32.3% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 26.4%24–29 | 23.3% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 19.2%17.4–21 | 12% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.6%13.1–16.2 | 9.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.8%8.8–11 | 6.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10%9–11 | 6.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 17%15.3–18.8 | 10% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.5%27.9–33.3 | 28.1% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 13.3%12–14.8 | 12.7% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 16.2%14.7–17.9 | 13.5% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.6%5.9–7.4 | 7.4% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 5.5%5.1–6 | 4.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 8.7%7.9–9.6 | 7.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.1%3.7–4.4 | 3.4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Iowa figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Des Moines
Is Des Moines a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Des Moines is healthier than 31% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #109 of 140 in Iowa. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 39%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Des Moines?
CDC estimates 39.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 35.8% and 43.1%, against 37.7% across Iowa and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Des Moines?
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi in Des Moines, 1.7 miles in a straight line from Des Moines’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Des Moines have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.4–12%), against 7.3% across Iowa.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Des Moines more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Des Moines.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Iowa figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.