Des Moines, Iowa · the capital city
Living in Des Moines, Iowa. The widest range of homes in the metro.
Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and largest city, home to about 212,000 people (2025 Census estimate) at the center of a metro of about 758,500. It has the widest range of housing in the area, from 1920s Beaverdale brick homes to downtown lofts, and a median home value well below the suburbs. Most of the city is served by Des Moines Public Schools, and citywide tax abatement is set to end December 31, 2026.
01 / At a glance
Des Moines by the numbers.
| Population | 212,086 (Census estimate, July 2025). 214,133 in the 2020 Census. |
|---|---|
| Metro population | About 758,539 (Des Moines-West Des Moines metro, 2025) |
| County | Polk |
| Schools | Mostly Des Moines Public Schools (30,000+ students, five traditional high schools). Some areas are in Saydel. |
| City tax rate | $16.61 per $1,000 of taxable value, FY2026, proposed unchanged for FY2027 (city portion only) |
| Median home value | $194,700 (Census survey, 2020 to 2024) |
| Median household income | $65,932 (Census survey, 2020 to 2024) |
| Airport | Des Moines International, about 10 minutes from downtown. New terminal set to open January 2027. |
| Public transit | DART, Iowa’s largest transit agency, with 25+ bus routes |
| Tax abatement | Citywide plan suspended effective December 31, 2026 |
Census figures are estimates. Home values and incomes are 5-year Census survey averages, not today’s prices. For current prices in your range, I pull live MLS numbers.
02 / Living here
What it’s like to live in Des Moines.
Neighborhoods
The city recognizes dozens of neighborhood associations. Beaverdale is known for its 1920s to 1940s brick homes. Sherman Hill, downtown’s oldest neighborhood, has grand homes from the 1870s. The East Village mixes condos and shops, and Waterbury, South of Grand and Highland Park each have their own feel.
Schools
Des Moines Public Schools is the largest provider of public education in Iowa, with more than 30,000 students and five traditional high schools plus Central Academy. Some Des Moines addresses are in the Saydel district, so check by address.
Getting around
I-235 runs through the heart of the city and is Iowa’s busiest highway. DART runs 25+ bus routes, and the airport is about 10 minutes from downtown. The average commute is about 20 minutes.
Parks and things to do
The Principal Riverwalk, Gray’s Lake and nearly 1,500-acre Water Works Park sit near downtown, tied into more than 800 miles of regional trails. The Downtown Farmers’ Market draws 300+ vendors, and the 2026 Iowa State Fair set an all-time attendance record of 1,218,834.
03 / What I tell clients
Before you buy or sell in Des Moines.
- Older homes reward a careful look. In a house built in the 1920s to 1950s, I check the electrical panel and wiring, the sewer line and the foundation before I would recommend an offer.
- Compare the whole tax bill. The city rate is the highest among large Polk County cities, so a lower price can come with a higher tax line. I run both before you decide.
- Tax abatement ends December 31, 2026. New construction and major renovations need measurable added value by then to stay eligible.
- Check the school district by address. Most of the city is Des Moines Public Schools, but not all of it.
04 / Homes for sale
Search homes for sale in Des Moines.
Type Des Moines in Location and pick it from the list. Results open in a new tab on my RE/MAX Revolution search site, where you can save a search and get new-listing alerts.
05 / Tours and articles
What I’ve seen in Des Moines.
-
Do I Have to Leave My Appliances When I Sell My Des Moines Home?
No, you do not automatically have to leave your appliances when you sell your Des Moines home, but things attached to the…
-
Moving to Des Moines: Should a First-Time Buyer Live in the City or the Suburbs?
If you are moving to Des Moines and buying your first home, the city usually gets you more character and a shorter…
-
Is an Older Home a Smart First Purchase in Des Moines?
An older home can be a very smart first purchase in Des Moines, as long as you buy the bones and budget…
-
How Much Are Property Taxes on a Des Moines Home, and How Do I Estimate Them Before I Buy?
On a typical Des Moines home, property taxes run roughly $1,800 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value before credits, and…
-
How Do I Spot Water and Drainage Problems in a Des Moines Home Before I Buy It?
Most water problems in a Des Moines home start outside, not in the basement. Before you buy, look at where the downspouts…
-
How Do I Price My Home Right in Des Moines?
If you are getting ready to sell your Des Moines home, the single biggest decision is the price, and here is the…
06 / Common questions
Living in Des Moines, answered.
Is Des Moines growing?
The city itself is estimated slightly down, 0.9% from 2020 to 2025, while the metro grew from about 711,000 to about 758,500 over the same period. Much of the new growth is in the suburbs.
What school district is Des Moines in?
Most of the city is served by Des Moines Public Schools, the largest provider of public education in Iowa. Some areas are served by Saydel, so confirm the district for the exact address.
Is tax abatement still available in Des Moines?
The City Council approved suspending the citywide tax abatement plan effective December 31, 2026, citing the state’s new 2% cap on property tax revenue growth. Projects that have added measurable value by then stay eligible.
What is the city tax rate in Des Moines?
$16.61 per $1,000 of taxable value for FY2026, proposed unchanged for FY2027. That is the city portion only; county, school and other levies are added.
How far is the airport from downtown Des Moines?
The airport says it is about 10 minutes from downtown. A new terminal adding six gates is set to open in January 2027.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines?
The Census survey puts the median owner-occupied home value at $194,700 (2020 to 2024 average), well below most suburbs. For current prices in a specific neighborhood, text me and I’ll pull live MLS numbers.
Sources (checked October 2026): Census QuickFacts · Des Moines Public Schools · DMPS facts and figures · DART · Des Moines International Airport · Iowa LSA city levy rates FY2026 · City FY2027 levy resolution · Abatement suspension (Business Record) · Beaverdale · Sherman Hill · Des Moines neighborhoods · Iowa State Fair 2026. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed; confirm school district and taxes for any specific address.
Buying or selling in Des Moines?
Let’s talk it through.
Call or text me at 515-606-1227. No pressure, ever.