West Des Moines

West Des Moines, Iowa Overview

West Des Moines earns an overall grade of A with a composite score of 61.7 out of 100, ranking #129 of 20 cities in Iowa. The city's strongest category is Safety (80/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (22/100).

Income & Employment in West Des Moines

The median household income in West Des Moines is $83,637 according to Census ACS data. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. The city's population grew 1.6% recently, indicating strong demand.

Safety in West Des Moines

West Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 174.4 per 100,000 residents. This is considered low, making it one of the safer cities in the state. The property crime rate is 2221.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in West Des Moines

West Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92.7 (where 100 equals the national average), which is well below the national average. The median home value is $286,300. Median monthly rent is $1,194. Overall, West Des Moines offers below-average costs relative to the rest of the country.

Health & Wellness in West Des Moines

The adult obesity rate in West Des Moines is 33.6% according to CDC PLACES data. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.6%. Residents report an average of 15.5 poor mental health days per month. These health indicators are important for assessing overall quality of life in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Education & Schools in West Des Moines

West Des Moines has 13 public schools serving 8,818 students. The high school graduation rate is 96%, well above the national average. The student-teacher ratio is 15.4:1. The district spends $13,542 per student. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in West Des Moines

West Des Moines has an annual average temperature of 53.2°F. Summers average 74.6°F. Winters average 31°F. The city receives approximately 28.1 inches of precipitation per year.

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