Des Moines Iowa Income Charts

This section shows the Des Moines Iowa economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Des Moines shows it has a Median earnings of $45,712 which is the smallest in terms of median earnings per worker of all the other places in the area. The city with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Saylorville CDP which shows a median earnings of $66,010 (44.4% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Des Moines is about 16.5% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of Iowa, median earnings per worker of $50,713, Des Moines is about 10.9% 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 $58,444 which is the smallest as measured by median household income of all the other places in the local area. The city with the highest median household income in the area is Norwalk which depicts a median income of $91,610 (56.7% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Des Moines is about 18.1% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of Iowa, median household income of $65,429, Des Moines is about 12.0% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Des Moines metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has one of the largest proportions of earnings less than $10,000 at 6.0% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Pleasant Hill with 6.6%. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 36.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 23.2% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 7.1% 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 38.5 which is the smallest in terms of average hours of all the other places in the local area. The city with the highest average hours in the area is Windsor Heights which shows an average hours of 39.6 (only about 2.9% 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 $22.83 which is the smallest when ranked by average hourly earnings of all the other places in the local area. The city with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Saylorville CDP which shows an average hourly earnings of $32.06 (40.4% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Des Moines is about 15.6% smaller. Also, versus the state of Iowa, average hourly earnings of $25.01, Des Moines is about 9.5% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Des Moines metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Des Moines depicts it has a Self Employed of 8.7% which is the third most people self employed of all other places in the greater Des Moines region. The city with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Windsor Heights which shows a percentage self employed of 15.8% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $64,485 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $67,403 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $41,312 of the total.

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 18.0% which is the smallest when ranked by households with retirement income of all the other places in the area. The city with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Pleasant Hill which shows a households with retirement income of 30.1% (66.7% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the smallest proportion of overall family income at $74,854 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $45,887 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Altoona with $61,359. Third, it has the largest proportion of black family income at $31,793 of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $72,446 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Norwalk ($136,217), and #1 Windsor Heights ($250,001) are larger. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian family income at $52,075 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Pleasant Hill with $55,560.

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 shows it has the hightest cost of 95.9 for the cost of transportation grouping.

Des Moines Iowa 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 February 2010 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 7.9% to 3.9% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 50.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.3% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 15.4%. 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 February 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 110,944 to 110,826 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 112,833 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

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 depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 4.0% which is in the mid range of other places in the local area. The city with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Saylorville CDP which depicts a rate of 6.2% (55.1% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Des Moines shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 70.1% which is in the mid range of other places in the local area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Des Moines depicts full time employees approximately 3.7 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 area. Des Moines indicates it has a Single Earner Families of 25.5% which is the second most families with a single earner of all the places in the greater Des Moines region. The city with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Windsor Heights which depicts a single earners rate of 33.7% (32.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Des Moines shows it has a Families with No One Working of 11.8% which is in the middle range of other places in the greater region. The city with the highest families with no one working in the area is Saylorville CDP which shows a families with no worker of 26.3% (approximately 2.2 times bigger).

Des Moines Iowa Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Des Moines 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 depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 31,926 which is the highest of all places in the greater Des Moines 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 shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 15.3% which is the highest of all places in the greater Des Moines region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Des Moines has the percentage of person in poverty 35 to 54 years less than most other places in the area at 12% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Des Moines has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 32% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Norwalk with 83%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Pleasant Hill with 41%. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 13% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Windsor Heights with 19%. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of asian poverty rate at 1% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Altoona with 52%. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 20% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Saylorville CDP with 50%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Des Moines has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 36% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 39% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 25% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Carlisle with 31%.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Des Moines has the largest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Des Moines has the percentage of people who are in poverty and unemployed in the mid point range of other places in the area at 14.6% of the total. 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 depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 18.6% which is at the top of all other places in the greater Des Moines region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Des Moines shows it has a Gini Index of 43.2% which is more than all other places in the local area.

Des Moines Iowa 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 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 has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 8% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Des Moines or elsewhere.) Des Moines has the largest proportion of people who carpooled at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who take a Subway or elevated rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who take Light rail, streetcar or trolley at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who take the ferry at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who bike at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 8% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Des Moines has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm 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 has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 11% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Windsor Heights with 13%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 19% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Windsor Heights (20%), and #1 Saylorville CDP (21%) are larger. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 1% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Des Moines shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 19 which is the second smallest as measured by average commute time of all the other places in the metro area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Des Moines depicts average commute time in minutes for men 18.8% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Des Moines has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 24% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 19% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Des Moines shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 59% which is the highest of all places in the greater Des Moines region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Des Moines is 34.1% larger. Also, measured against the state of Iowa, people who both work and live in the same city of 50%, Des Moines is 16.9% larger.

Des Moines Iowa 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 shows it has the hightest median earnings of $81,015 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Des Moines depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $73,036 for the earnings-protective service occupations classification. The table in Figure 48, shows Des Moines employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Des Moines Iowa 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 depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 45% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses aggregate.

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 shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 38% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services grouping.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Des Moines shows it has a Self Employment Income of $26,798 which is in the mid range of other places in the surrounding region. The city with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Windsor Heights which shows an average annual self employment income of $65,905 (approximately 2.5 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Des Moines is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Iowa, average annual self employment income of $38,002, Des Moines is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Des Moines depicts total number of self-employed men 10.9% larger as the total number of self-employed women.