Under The Bridge, 2016
Des Moines’s story
137 years in pictures
Census counts: 212 in 1890, 32,888 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2016 and 4 maps from 1949 on.
- 1889Des Moines is settled
Des MoinesWA
A town of 33,032, settled in 1889.
Population
33,032
2025 Census estimate · +0.3% since 2020
Typical home
$592K
−0.3% in a year
Household income
$92K
median
Median age
38.0
years
Jobs based here
5,760
A commuter town
TownGrade
C−
#235 of 285 in WA
Is Des Moines a good place to live?
Des Moines grades C− overall, 235th among Washington's 285 graded towns, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 83% of the country and it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 95% of U.S. towns. On the other side, the typical home is worth about $592K, 5.1 years of the Seattle metro’s $115K median household income. Des Moines’ trail density is 1.7 miles per square mile, where Washington’s towns sit at 0.8 and U.S. towns at 0.4. Des Moines is home to Highline College.
What makes Des Moines stand out
Where Des Moines beats most towns.
College town
Highline College calls Des Moines home
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Des Moines grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Washington), ordered by how far Des Moines is from typical.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 12.7 of 20; 7.4% of households have no carAOpen →Cost of livingDOpen →SafetyC−Open →HealthHighline Medical Center 4.8 miles awayA−Open →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listC−Open →SchoolsC−Open →Jobs & income$92K median household incomeB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors10% conserved landAOpen →History1 notable person born hereC−Open →Civic life3.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market$592K typical home, down 0.3% in a year; 6 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 38.0; 33% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 155 attractions →Space Needle and 132 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Des Moines. Close and well known come first.
Big draw16 mi LookoutSpace Needle
Big draw14 mi Stadium & arenaLumen Field
Big draw16 mi Stadium & arenaClimate Pledge Arena
14 mi Stadium & arenaT-Mobile Park
15 mi Ancient siteSeattle Underground
18 mi Stadium & arenaHusky StadiumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Space Needle: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lumen Field: "Smart Destinations", GoSeattleCard.com, and Go Seattle Card Blog, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Climate Pledge Arena: Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0 · T-Mobile Park: MyName (Cacophony), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Seattle Underground: Mark Hursh, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Husky Stadium: Atomic Taco, CC BY-SA 2.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Des Moines: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Des Moines, and how to reach them.
PowerPuget Sound Energy17.0¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterHighline Water DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNearest public drop-offBow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station, 4 miOpenStreetMap
SchoolsHighline School DistrictFederal Way School District2 districts serve Des Moines; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Washington you can register online until 8 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 8 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereKing County ElectionsKing County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2021
ZIP codes98198, 9814898198 94% · 98148 6%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Des Moines.
Des Moines fares better on crime within Washington than nationally and has cooler summers than nearly all U.S. towns, but it has many renters stretched by housing costs.
OutdoorsA
Des Moines has set aside 10.4% of its land for conservation
12 miles of trail in 13 parks and preserves. Saltwater State Park, at 132 acres with 2.1 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.
#56for trails in WA
10.4%
conserved · 490 of 4,703 acres
12 mi
of trails · 1.7 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Saltwater State Park | 2.1 mi | 132 |
| 2. Steven J. Underwood Memorial Park | 0.7 mi | 16 |
| 3. Wooton Park | 0.3 mi | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsC−
Public schools in Des Moines fall behind 78% of Washington districts
Its public schools are run by the Highline School District. Two of its 13 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
22%of WA districts it outscoresC−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 604 | – |
| Mount Rainier High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,846 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within WA on state tests and graduation
SafetyC−
Des Moines reports more crime per resident than 84% of U.S. towns
At 39.8 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 71% of Washington’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 1,234 to 817 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Des Moines’ property crime rate is 22.2 per 1,000 residents, above both Washington’s towns (15) and U.S. towns (9.9). Des Moines’ violent crime rate is 2.3 per 1,000 residents.
16%of U.S. towns report more crimeC−Safety Grade
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 22.2 per 1,000 residents | 15 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.3 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Des Moines2.3
Washington2.9
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Des Moines22.2
Washington20.2
U.S.15.5
16th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
29th
percentile among WA towns
77
violent crimes reported in 2025
740
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HealthA−
Des Moines earns an A− for health
27% of Des Moines adults have obesity. Des Moines beats the Washington average on 1 of 31 CDC measures and trails it on 10. 71% of Des Moines adults had a checkup this year.
83%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 33% | 35% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 71% | 71% | 79% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 10% | 11% | 14% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 33% | 36% |
31 measures vs. Washington
1 better20 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Des Moines | WA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with obesity | 26.6% | 30.6% |
| More adults facing food insecurity | 13.6% | 10.2% |
Highline Medical Center
4.8 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
66th
percentile among WA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
Des Moines has 0.4 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out
Jobs based here grew from 3,952 in 2013 to 5,760.
Most working residents leave Des Moines for work: only 4% work in town. The average trip to work in Des Moines is 31 minutes. Since 2013, Des Moines has added 1,808 jobs, to 5,760 in 2023.
4%work in town
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 31 minutes | 27 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.5% | 5% | 8% |
| Work from home | 15% | 15% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Des Moines4%
Seattle25%
SeaTac9%
Kent8%
Renton5%
11 mi
median commute distance
5,760
jobs based in Des Moines
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C−
High risk in Des Moines, with earthquakes at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 74% of U.S. communities. Since 1990, 12 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Des Moines.
74risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
12
paid flood claims since 1990
10
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Des Moines has four seasons and pleasant summers
July afternoons average 76.7°, cooler than in 97% of U.S. towns; January nights average 35.9°.
Des Moines has mild winters and pleasant summers. About 6 inches of snow falls in a winter.
6″snow a winter
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 77°F | 77°F | 85°F |
| January low | 36°F | 35°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter36–48°
Spring42–60°
Summer54–75°
Fall45–61°
Nov 10
typical first frost
Mar 20
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
An age mix much like Washington’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Washington average. 34% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 40% across Washington.
38median age · WA 38.3
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 34% | 30% | 29% |
| Median age | 38 years | 38.6 years | 40.5 years |
Des MoinesWashingtonUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma11%
High school26%
Some college20%
Associate’s10%
Bachelor’s23%
Graduate11%
Women and men · all residents
52% women, 48% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2 points. Across Washington, 49.6% of residents are women. Median age: women 37.1, men 38.7.
| Des Moines | WA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 13% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.3% | 9.9% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.2% | 8.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 16% | 15.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 15.1% | 14.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.8% | 12% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 10.3% | 12% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 9.2% | 10.1% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.2% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 10.5% | 7.7% | 10.4% |
| High school | 25.7% | 21.6% | 26% |
| Some college | 20.1% | 21% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.2% | 10% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 22.9% | 24% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 10.6% | 15.6% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade D
Des Moines earns a D for cost of living
69.4% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 49.9% across Washington.
61% of households own their home in Des Moines.
$592KZillow home value
| Des Moines | Washington towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 61% | 71% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,799 a month | $1,737 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Des Moines$592K
Washington$588K
Market temperature
6
days on market
101.8%
sale-to-list price
−0.3%
value change, 1 year
23
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Des Moines
20pages on Des Moines
The big questions
SchoolsC−Behind 78% of WA districts · 13 schoolsSafetyC−2.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than WA on 1 of 31 CDC measuresCost of livingD$592K typical home · down 0.3% in a yearWork & commuteB−$92K median household income · 5,760 jobs hereNatural hazardsC−FEMA risk higher than 74% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
11 within 15 miles of the center of Des Moines
Highline CollegeCommunity college · Public · Des MoinesIn town$4,772 in-state tuitionGreen River CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Auburn8.4 mi$4,711 in-state tuitionRenton Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Renton9.6 mi$6,308 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 Des Moines residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Washington.
A growing town
Des Moines has grown 11% since 2010
29,673 counted in 2010 and 32,888 in 2020; an estimated 33,032 in 2025.
Growth has leveled off: within 1% of 2020, after 10.8% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
Des Moines’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Des Moines.
Federal WayKentSeaTacNormandy ParkBurienDes Moines
How the neighbors grade
| Town | WA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | #235 | C− | D | C− | C− | A− |
| Federal Way | #242 | C− | C− | D | C− | A− |
| Kent | #221 | C− | D | D | B− | A− |
| SeaTac | #245 | D | C− | D | C− | A− |
| Normandy Park | #107 | B | D | B− | C− | A+ |
| Burien | #243 | D | D | D | C− | A− |
Questions about Des Moines
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Des Moines, WA a good place to live?
Des Moines grades C− overall, better than 17% of U.S. towns and #235 of 285 in Washington. It grades A− for health, C− for safety and C− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Des Moines, WA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.