Best Places for Business and Careers 2019

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
the place image

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Select A Profile
gross metro product
$50B
population
655.4K
median household income
$70,718
median home price
$212,000
cost of living
7% below nat'l avg
college attainment
36.6%
net migration
1,480 (year: 2018)
unemployment
2.5%
major industries
Insurance, Health care, Agribusiness
job growth
1.6% (year: 2018)
As of October 2019
population
214.0K
median home price
$147,000
cost of living
81
As of August 2020
Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and maintains a sizable financial services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group,�Meredith Corp., Ruan Transportation, EMC Insurance and Wellmark�Blue Cross Blue Shield. Home to the Iowa caucuses, Iowa's capital city is a significant spot for campaigning in U.S. presidential politics and elections. The city is also home to Drake University and Grand View University, while Simpson College, Upper Iowa University and
William Penn University also have satellite facilities within the area. Des Moines plays host to a growing number of nationally-acclaimed cultural events, including the annual Des Moines Arts Festival and the World Food Festival. There are a number of art centers, parks and historical sites and museums that continue to enrich the city's burgeoning cultural scene.
... Read More
On forbes lists
Best Places to Retire 2020Dropped off in 2021
#22
In Cost of Doing Business
#77
In Job Growth
#49
In Education
By The Numbers
EmploymentHousingEducationQuality of Life
Job Growth
1.6% (year: 2018)
Projected Annual Job Growth
0.9%
Unemployment
2.5%
Median Household Income
$70,718
Household Income Growth
3%
High-Tech Employment
2%
  • Data is for the metro area
  • Sources: Moody's Analytics; Sperling's BestPlaces; U.S. Census.
  • Numbers as of October 2019


  • a - Value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a typical mortgage on a median-priced single-family home. An index above 100 signifies that the family has surplus income.
Key Connections
People
Companies
Top Colleges

More on Forbes

Mar 12, 2024

De-Stress Mantras: A Journey To Resilience

Such habits not only contribute to personal well-being but also create a positive work environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and innovation.