Living is Des Moines Iowa

Des Moines is the capital of Iowa and is in the county seat for Polk County, even though a small portion of the city is in Warren County.  The Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan area consists of the five counties of Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison and Guthrie. The city itself has a population estimated at 200,538, and the metro area is estimated at 562,906. The Des Moines-Newton-Pella combined area consists of the five counties listed above; plus Jasper and Marion. That area has a population of 631,805 all based on 2009 estimates.

There are thirteen suburban communities of Des Moines, which include Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.

History
Humans have occupied Des Moines since 1300 AD, according to archaeologists.  The city was born in 1843 when a fort was built.  After the fort was abandoned, settlers came and took it over, and in 1846, Fort Des Moines became the seat of Polk County.  In 1851 most of the town was destroyed by a flood, so they incorporated as a city and began to rebuild.  The name was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857, and it became the state capital.  Beginning as a coal producing town, it is now known as the home for multiple major corporations and thousands of career-type jobs. Forbes magazine in 2010 ranked Des Moines as the “Best Place for Business and Careers”.

Weather in Des Moines means a pleasant spring, and primarily pretty warm summer  with high humidity. Fall is fantastic and winter is usually just plain cold with an annual snowfall average of 36.4 inches, so bring your sled.  

Des Moines Area Attractions
To keep you entertained, there is the Civic Center’s professional theater, art and history museums, the opera, ballet, the symphony, the Art Center, Botanical Center, Zoo, Riverfront Amphitheater, the racetrack and casino, and the amusement park in Altoona. 

The Wells Fargo Arena is the place for sporting events and concerts.  Festivals and events include the Des Moines Arts Festival in June, Iowa State Fair in August, and the World Food Festival in October.  There is also the Downtown Farmer’s Market from May - October.

Educational Opportunities
Des Moines public schools consist of thirty-eight elementary, ten middle, five high and ten special schools.  There are also five private schools in the city.  Two 4-year private colleges and three other colleges with classroom facilities in the area, plus additional for-profit colleges and community colleges make Des Moines perfect for the education and higher learning of you and your family.

We love our city, and invite you to visit us to see what making your home in Des Moines can be like!

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