Des Moines County, Iowa: commercial real estate data.
Des Moines County, Iowa had an estimated 38,411 residents on July 1, 2024, down 1.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 38,940, across 416 square miles. County output reached $2.92 bn in 2024, 1,065 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 14 7(a) approvals worth $9.4 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Des Moines County
How many people live in Des Moines County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202438,487
- Households17,178
- Average household size2.24
- Median household income$62,928
- Median age42.3
- Median gross rent$904 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$136,500
- Home value to household income2.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher23.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over27,038
- Population under 188,560
- Share under 1822.2 percent
- Population 65 and over8,180
- Share 65 and over21.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6421,747
- Civilian labor force19,168
- Unemployment rate3.1 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over64.0 percent
- Rank by population among Iowa counties16th of 99
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1235th of 3,222
Des Moines County is the 16th largest of 99 Iowa counties by population. A median home costs 2.2 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.2 percent against 21.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Des Moines County
Is Des Moines County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202438,411
- Census 2020 base population38,940
- Population change since the 2020 census base-1.36 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202451
- Births, 2024425
- Deaths, 2024462
- Natural change, 2024-37
- Net domestic migration, 2024-73
- Net international migration, 2024164
- Total net migration, 202491
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-460
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2312th of 3,144
The county has lost 1.36 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Des Moines County
Where are people moving to Des Moines County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving838
- People arriving, from those returns1,398
- Tax returns filed by households leaving858
- Net household movement-20
- Adjusted gross income arriving$45.8 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-2.9 m
- Average income of an arriving household$54,671
- Average income of a leaving household$56,719
- Largest single originLee County (117 households)
- Largest single destinationLee County (90 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County | 117 | 189 | $5.0 m |
| Henry County | 81 | 139 | $2.9 m |
| Henderson County | 30 | 50 | $1.2 m |
| Johnson County | 26 | 39 | $1.3 m |
| Linn County | 26 | 35 | $813,000 |
| Louisa County | 25 | 41 | $1.4 m |
| Cook County | 23 | 55 | $642,000 |
| Polk County | 22 | 38 | $1.0 m |
Households arriving report $2,048 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Lee County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Des Moines County
What is the Des Moines County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.92 bn
- County GDP, 2023$2.74 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.5 percent
- GDP change over five years26.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Iowa areas BEA publishes15th of 99
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes995th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$75,970
Output grew 6.5 percent in the latest year and 26.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Des Moines County
Employment by industry in Des Moines County
- Covered employment, annual average19,833
- Establishments reporting1,405
- Average annual pay$52,718
- Average weekly wage$1,014
- Manufacturing, employment4,073
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$63,660
- Health care and social assistance, employment3,232
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$68,546
- Retail trade, employment2,610
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,372
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,861
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$19,457
- Construction, employment856
- Transportation and warehousing, employment815
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 4,073 | 52 | $63,660 |
| Health care and social assistance | 3,232 | 204 | $68,546 |
| Retail trade | 2,610 | 176 | $33,372 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,861 | 106 | $19,457 |
| Construction | 856 | 93 | $65,289 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 815 | 54 | $58,986 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 636 | 20 | $27,102 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 563 | 77 | $49,978 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,073 jobs, 20.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Des Moines County
How many businesses are in Des Moines County?
- Establishments, all industries1,065
- Employment at those establishments18,107
- Annual payroll$877.5 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents27.7
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Des Moines County
Building permits in Des Moines County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202455
- Declared construction value permitted$11.5 m
- Single family units authorized15
- Multifamily units authorized40
- Multifamily share of units72.7 percent
- Average declared value per unit$208,255
- Units authorized per 1,000 households3.2
Multifamily is 72.7 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Des Moines County
SBA loans in Des Moines County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded14
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$9.4 m
- Average 7(a) approval$671,393
- Median 7(a) approval$412,250
- Largest single approval$2,197,500
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)202
- Jobs per approval14.4
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active9
- Distinct industries receiving approvals9
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer28.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms4
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter9
- Franchise loans3
- Franchise share of approvals21.4 percent
- Leading industry by approval countElectrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (4)
- Most active lenderU.S. Bank, National Association (4)
- 504 approvals recorded4
- 504 gross approval dollars$3.3 m
- Average 504 approval$817,500
- Median 504 approval$655,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval19.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved24.2
- Most active CDCIowa Business Growth Company (3)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$12.7 m
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Des Moines County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Des Moines County
Do SBA loans in Des Moines County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded6
- Paid in full6
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure7
- Status: Paid in full6
- Status: Cancelled1
Only 6 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Des Moines County
SBA lending by place in Des Moines County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending2
- Burlington, approvals11
- West Burlington, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 11 | $6,844,500 |
| West Burlington | 3 | $2,555,000 |
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Des Moines County
How large is Des Moines County?
- Land area416 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Iowa counties93rd of 99
- Width, east to west24.4 mi
- Height, north to south26.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land93
- Establishments per square mile2.56
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Des Moines County
Flood risk in Des Moines County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Des Moines County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 190113
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book5
- Of those, participating in the NFIP5
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Des Moines County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Des Moines County (community 190113), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Des Moines County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Des Moines County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Des Moines County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202438,487
- Households17,178
- Average household size2.24
- Median household income$62,928
- Median age42.3
Common questions
Des Moines County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Des Moines County, Iowa?
The Census Bureau estimates 38,411 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 38,487, in 17,178 households, ranking 16th of 99 Iowa counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Des Moines County's population growing?
The population has fallen 1.36 percent since the 2020 census base of 38,940, to 38,411 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 425 births against 462 deaths, with net migration of 91. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Des Moines County?
$62,928. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $136,500, which is 2.2 times income, and median gross rent is $904 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Des Moines County?
1,065 establishments, employing 18,107 people with an annual payroll of $877.5 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Des Moines County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 4,073 jobs, 20.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 19,833 jobs at an average annual pay of $52,718, or $1,014 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Des Moines County?
14 7(a) approvals totaling $9.4 m since FY2020, across 9 lenders, with a median approval of $412,250, plus 4 504 approvals worth $3.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Des Moines County?
55 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $11.5 m. Multifamily was 72.7 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Des Moines County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Des Moines County come from?
The largest single origin is Lee County, with 117 households. Arriving households report an average income of $54,671 against $56,719 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Des Moines County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Des Moines County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Des Moines County
Cities and places in Des Moines.
11 Census places lie wholly or partly in Des Moines County. All 11 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | city | 23,728 | 11 | Wholly in this county |
| West Burlington | city | 3,189 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Mediapolis | city | 1,928 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Danville | city | 930 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Beaverdale | CDP | 910 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Middletown | city | 322 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Oak Hills | CDP | 137 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Yarmouth | CDP | 85 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kingston | CDP | 77 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sperry | CDP | 73 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Augusta | CDP | 26 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
Nearby