Des Moines, Iowa
About Des Moines
Des Moines, IA is a mid-size city located in central Iowa counting 213,096 people who proudly call it home. It ranks as the 1st largest city in Iowa.
Officially, Des Moines is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 88.16 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 2,417 residents per square mile.
📰 Des Moines News Today
- State health officials confirm 11 new measles cases in Iowa The Des Moines Register · Aug 17
- Iowa weather: Scattered thunderstorms return Tuesday KCCI · Aug 17
- Police investigate shots fired in downtown Des Moines, 3 guns recovered WHO13.com · Aug 16
- Ryan Leemkuil Obituary - West Des Moines, IA Dignity Memorial · Aug 12
- Between Des Moines And Decorah Is Iowa's Scenic Midwest City With A Charming Downtown, Wildlife, And Outdoor Fun islands.com · Aug 16
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Des Moines Unique
- The largest city in Iowa — the economic and cultural anchor of the state.
- Home to 8.1% of Iowa's city-dwelling population.
- Part of the fabric of Iowa — one of 1,026 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- Full urban amenities: dining, healthcare, education, and employment in one place.
- Serious economic gravity — one of the region's employment and cultural hubs.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 8 miles.
📍 Neighborhoods in Des Moines
Click a neighborhood to see it on the map.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Des Moines
- 801 Chophouse — steak house
- Abelardo's Mexican Restaurant — mexican
- Akebono — sushi
- Alba Restaurant — american
- Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery
- Aposto
- Applebee's — american
- Baba’s Buffalo
- Bar Nico — mexican
- Baratta's — italian
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Heritage Carousel of Des Moines · Attraction
- Iowa Hall of Pride · Museum
- Liz Lidgett Gallery & Design · Art gallery
- Science Center of Iowa · Museum
- World Food Prize Hall of Laureates · Museum
- Addax, Cranes, Giraffes, Slender-Horned Gazelle · Attraction
- Aldabra Tortoise · Attraction
- Australia Adventure · Zoo
- Bactrian Camels · Attraction
- Bald Eagles · Attraction
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Des Moines
- Ashfield Park reviews ★
- Bates Park reviews ★
- Birdland Park reviews ★
- Birdland Sports Park reviews ★
- Burke Park reviews ★
- Cohen Park reviews ★
- Columbus Park reviews ★
- Cowles Commons reviews ★
- Easton Basin Park reviews ★
- Ewing Park reviews ★
- George Nahas Park reviews ★
- Gray's Lake Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Des Moines
- Brody Middle School
- Callanan Middle School
- Capitol View Elementary School
- Cattell Elementary School
- Downtown School
- East High School
- Edmunds Elementary School
- Findley Elementary School
- Garton Elementary
- Goodrell Middle School
- Greenwood Elementary School
- Hanawalt Elementary
- Harding Middle School
- Hiatt Middle School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Va Central Iowa Healthcare System ★★★★ (4/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Broadlawns Medical Center ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center ★ (1/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.