City profile
West Des Moines, IA
Polk County · Population 71,083
West Des Moines is a city in Polk County, IA with about 71,083 residents and a typical home value near $309,000. It is 8 miles from Des Moines, IA, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
22°F
Summer avg
76°F
Sunny days / yr
200
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$309,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,047
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
102
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.43%
- State income tax (top)
- 3.8%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.94%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 92/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Tornado, Hail
Nearest major airport
7 mi to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 55% Democratic / 44% Republican
Community
Population
71,083
Black population
5.0%
County
Polk County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hail, derechos
Highlights
- About 71,083 residents
- Typical home value about $309,000
- 8 miles from Des Moines, IA
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.