Where is Des Moines located? Des Moines is located in central Iowa, within Polk County. It is situated along the Des Moines River, approximately 120 miles east of Omaha, Nebraska, and about 180 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri. It is an important city of Iowa state.
Des Moines, Iowa Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Des Moines |
| County | Polk County |
| State | Iowa |
| State Capital | Des Moines |
| US Region | Midwest |
| Latitude | 41.5868° N |
| Longitude | 93.6250° W |
| Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
| Land Area | 88.9 sq mi |
| Water Area | 1.0 sq mi |
| Total Area | 89.9 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 214,133 |
| Population Density | Approximately 2,409 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 50301-50325, 50327-50328, 50330-50340, 50347, 50350, 50359-50369, 50380-50381, 50391-50398 |
| Area Code | 515 |
| Time Zone Standard | Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 19-21000 |
| Congressional District | Iowa 3rd Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Des Moines is located in Polk County in central Iowa at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. It lies between Minneapolis to the north and Kansas City to the south, near the geographic center of Iowa. The city is known as Iowa's capital, a major insurance and financial services center, and a regional hub for government, business, and culture.
Nearby Cities to Des Moines, Iowa
- West Des Moines, Iowa - 6 mi West
- Urbandale, Iowa - 7 mi Northwest
- Clive, Iowa - 8 mi West
- Pleasant Hill, Iowa - 7 mi East
- Johnston, Iowa - 9 mi Northwest
- Ankeny, Iowa - 10 mi North
- Altoona, Iowa - 11 mi East
- Norwalk, Iowa - 12 mi South
- Waukee, Iowa - 15 mi West
- Indianola, Iowa - 18 mi South
Des Moines, Iowa Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 14 | 1.1 |
| April | 62 | 40 | 3.8 |
| July | 86 | 66 | 4.5 |
| October | 66 | 43 | 2.5 |
| Annual | 61 | 41 | 36.5 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot-Summer Humid Continental (Dfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 36.5 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 204 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Low hurricane risk, moderate tornado risk |
| Snowfall | Approximately 33 inches annually |
Driving Distances from Des Moines, Iowa
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | Iowa | 6 | 15 min |
| Pleasant Hill | Iowa | 7 | 15 min |
| Urbandale | Iowa | 7 | 15 min |
| Clive | Iowa | 8 | 15 min |
| Johnston | Iowa | 9 | 20 min |
| Ankeny | Iowa | 10 | 20 min |
| Altoona | Iowa | 11 | 20 min |
| Norwalk | Iowa | 12 | 20 min |
| Waukee | Iowa | 15 | 25 min |
| Indianola | Iowa | 18 | 30 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Des Moines, Iowa
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Des Moines International Airport |
| IATA Code | DSM |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | I-35, I-80, I-235, US 65, US 69 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct Amtrak service; nearest stations in Osceola and Mount Pleasant |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) |
- Interstate 35 - Major north-south corridor connecting Des Moines with Minneapolis and Kansas City.
- Interstate 80 - Cross-country route linking Des Moines with Omaha and Chicago.
- Interstate 235 - Urban freeway serving downtown and suburban communities.
- US Highway 65 - Important regional route through central Iowa.
- US Highway 69 - Connects Des Moines with northern and southern Iowa communities.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Des Moines, Iowa
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Iowa State Capitol | Government Landmark |
| Pappajohn Sculpture Park | Urban Park |
| Blank Park Zoo | Zoo |
| Des Moines Art Center | Museum |
| Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Botanical Garden |
| Principal Park | Sports Venue |
| Salisbury House & Gardens | Historic House |
| Science Center of Iowa | Science Museum |
| State Historical Museum of Iowa | Museum |
| Gray's Lake Park | Urban Park |
Waterbodies in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines River, Raccoon River, Gray's Lake, Easter Lake, Saylorville Lake, Big Creek Lake, Fourmile Creek, Walnut Creek, Beaver Creek, Lake Ahquabi
Golf Courses in Des Moines, Iowa
Waveland Golf Course, Blank Golf Course, Bright Grandview Golf Course, Woodland Hills Golf Course, Hyperion Field Club, Wakonda Club, Echo Valley Country Club, Glen Oaks Country Club, Tournament Club of Iowa, Jester Park Golf Course
Economy and Major Employers in Des Moines, Iowa
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Principal Financial Group | Major financial services and insurance employer. |
| Insurance | Nationwide and EMC Insurance | Des Moines is a national insurance center. |
| Finance | Wells Fargo | Large regional banking operations. |
| Government | State of Iowa | Significant public-sector employer. |
| Healthcare | UnityPoint Health | Leading healthcare provider in central Iowa. |
| Education | Drake University | Supports education and workforce development. |
| Agribusiness | Agriculture and Food Processing | Important component of the regional economy. |
| Technology | Technology and Data Services | Growing innovation sector. |
Colleges and Universities in Des Moines, Iowa
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake University | Private | University | Law, business, and pharmacy programs |
| Grand View University | Private | University | Liberal arts and professional studies |
| Des Moines University | Private | University | Osteopathic medicine and health sciences |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences | Private | College | Nursing and healthcare education |
| DMACC - Ankeny Campus | Public | Community College | Workforce training and transfer programs |
| Simpson College - Des Moines Center | Private | University | Adult and graduate education |
Des Moines, Iowa - Key Historical Facts
- Des Moines was established in 1843 as a military fort at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
- The city became Iowa's capital in 1857, replacing Iowa City.
- Its central location helped it develop into an important transportation and commercial center during the nineteenth century.
- The insurance industry expanded rapidly in Des Moines during the twentieth century, shaping the city's economy.
- The city became known for its role in agriculture, finance, and state government.
- Today, Des Moines is Iowa's largest metropolitan area and a major center for insurance, healthcare, education, and business.
Sources
- Official City of Des Moines Website
- Polk County Official Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
More Iowa Maps & Info
| Iowa Map | Iowa County Map | Iowa Cities Map |
| Iowa Zipcodes | Where is Iowa | Airports in Iowa |
| Iowa Area Codes | Iowa Blank Map | Iowa River Map |
| Iowa Physical Map | Iowa Road Map | Where is Where is Des Moines |
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