Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA
Comprehensive data on Des Moines, IA including affordability, walkability, employment trends, and growth potential metrics.
Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA — Key Takeaways
Neighborhood-level data for Des Moines, IA is not yet available. Below is a comprehensive overview of Des Moines as a whole.
Des Moines has a population of 214,133, a median household income of $50,950, an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The median home value citywide is $170,000, which is 40% below the national average of $281,900.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, Walk Score, and FEMA. Last updated: March 2026.
Des Moines at a Glance
Detailed neighborhood-level data for Des Moines is coming soon. In the meantime, here is a comprehensive overview.
Median Home Value
$170,000
Nat'l avg: $281,900
Median Income
$50,950
Nat'l avg: $74,580
Population
214,133
Walk Score
92/100
Violent Crime
3.0 per 1K
Nat'l avg: 3.7 per 1K
Air Quality
AQI 25
Climate Risk
Relatively High
Unemployment
3.5%
Nat'l avg: 3.7%
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Up-and-coming neighborhoods are identified using a Growth Potential Score that evaluates five weighted categories. These areas are still affordable relative to the city average but show strong fundamentals that suggest improving conditions and future appreciation.
- Affordability vs City Average
- 30% weight
- Walkability & Transit
- 25% weight
- Job Market (Unemployment)
- 20% weight
- Safety
- 15% weight
- Environment (Air Quality)
- 10% weight
Neighborhoods that are priced below the city median home value score higher on affordability. Walkability reflects the Walk Score, indicating access to amenities on foot. A low unemployment rate signals a strong local economy. Safety is measured by violent crime rates per 1,000 residents. Air quality uses the EPA Air Quality Index (AQI), where lower values indicate cleaner air.
Data Sources: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), EPA AirNow, Walk Score, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. All data is updated on a rolling basis as new government releases become available.