Des Moines County Income Charts

This section shows the Des Moines County Iowa economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2021 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Des Moines County shows it has a Median earnings of $41,728 which is the smallest as measured by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Mercer County which depicts a median earnings of $45,892 (10.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $50,459, Des Moines County is about 20.9% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Iowa, median earnings per worker of $48,030, Des Moines County is about 15.1% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $51,784 which is the smallest as measured by median household income of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Louisa County which shows a median income of $63,034 (21.7% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $64,994, Des Moines County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of Iowa, median household income of $61,836, Des Moines County is about 19.4% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Des Moines County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 20.7% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 38.4 which is the second smallest when sorted by average hours of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Louisa County which shows an average hours of 40.3 (only about 4.9% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $20.90 which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Warren County which shows an average hourly earnings of $22.88 (9.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $25.01, Des Moines County is about 19.7% smaller. Also, compared to the state of Iowa, average hourly earnings of $23.68, Des Moines County is about 13.3% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Des Moines County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Des Moines County depicts it has a Self Employed of 9.5% which is the smallest in order of percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Warren County which depicts a percentage self employed of 14.3% (51.3% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest in terms of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $55,281 of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area in order of median income-25 to 44 years at $66,250 of the total. Third, it has the second smallest when sorted by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the metropolitan area when sorted by median income-45 to 64 years at $38,171 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Des Moines County has the largest proportion of self employment income at 17.7% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 25.0% which is the third most households with retirement income of all other counties in the greater Des Moines County region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Mercer County which depicts a households with retirement income of 27.8% (11.5% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income less than most other counties in the greater region at $70,671 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $17,361 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Warren County with $41,573. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $73,648 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Louisa County with $85,329. Also, it has less than most other counties in the metro area as measured by hawaiian family income at $37,632 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Des Moines County depicts it has the hightest cost of 108.6 for the cost of utilities classification.

Des Moines County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It depicts that from January 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 9.2% to 5.5% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 40.2%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.9% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 10.9%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It depicts that from January 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 20,043 to 19,026 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 5.1%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 18,255 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.1%.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Des Moines County shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.6% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Warren County which depicts a rate of 5.4% (about twice as large). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Des Moines County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 62.4% which is the third most of all other counties in the surrounding region.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Des Moines County depicts full time employees approximately 3.3 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Des Moines County area. Des Moines County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 23.0% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Lee County which shows a single earners rate of 28.4% (23.7% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Des Moines County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 21.5% which is more than all other counties in the greater Des Moines County region.

Des Moines County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Des Moines County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Des Moines County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 5,709 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Des Moines County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Des Moines County indicates it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 14.9% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Des Moines County region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Des Moines County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 17% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Des Moines County has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 58% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Louisa County (58%), and #1 Mercer County (64%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 21% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Mercer County (25%), and #1 Henry County (27%) are larger.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Des Moines County has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 43% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 50% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Mercer County with 51%. Third, it has in the center range of other counties in the metropolitan area when sorted by unmarried female with children and in poverty at 23% of the total.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Des Moines County has the largest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Des Moines County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 16.4% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the surrounding region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Des Moines County depicts it has a Gini Index of 46.7% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Des Moines County region.

Des Moines County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Des Moines County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Des Moines County has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 3% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Des Moines County or elsewhere.) Des Moines County has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 3% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Des Moines County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 6% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 6% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 9% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Des Moines County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area at 18% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 4% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 6% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 1% of the total. Next it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 1% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Des Moines County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 17 which is the smallest when sorted by average commute time of all the other counties in the greater region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Des Moines County shows average commute time in minutes for men 26.7% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Des Moines County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 23% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 18% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 8% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Des Moines County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 48% which is in the middle range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Warren County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 55% (13.6% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 43%, Des Moines County is 12.8% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of Iowa, people who both work and live in the same city of 50%, Des Moines County is only about 4.2% smaller.

Des Moines County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Des Moines County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $79,766 for the management, business, and financial occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Des Moines County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $65,705 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations classification. The table in Figure 48, shows Des Moines County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Des Moines County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Des Moines County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 54% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses category.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Des Moines County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 20% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Des Moines County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $43,612 which is the second most average annual self employment income of all the counties in the greater Des Moines County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Louisa County which shows an average annual self employment income of $59,840 (37.2% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $40,101, Des Moines County is 8.8% larger. Also, benchmarked against the state of Iowa, average annual self employment income of $35,603, Des Moines County is 22.5% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Des Moines County depicts total number of self-employed men 70.7% larger as the total number of self-employed women.