West Des Moines, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Des Moines, Iowa
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Valley Junction
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Location in Iowa
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 West Des Moines, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| Counties | Polk, Dallas, Warren |
| Incorporated | October 9, 1893 |
| Area | |
| • City | 48.22 sq mi (124.88 km2) |
| • Land | 47.24 sq mi (122.34 km2) |
| • Water | 0.98 sq mi (2.54 km2) |
| Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 68,723 |
| • Rank | US: 554th IA: 6th |
| • Density | 1,454.86/sq mi (561.72/km2) |
| • Metro | 655,409 (87th) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50263-50266
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| Area code(s) | 515 |
| FIPS code | 19-83910 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397266 |
| Public Transit |  |
West Des Moines is a city in Iowa, United States. Most of the city is in Polk County. Some parts are in Dallas County. Small areas also reach into Warren and Madison Counties.
In 2020, the city had 68,723 people. West Des Moines is the third-largest city in the Des Moines metropolitan area. It is also the sixth-largest city in all of Iowa.
Contents
History of West Des Moines
Early Settlement and Growth
Long ago, the area of West Des Moines was home to the Sac and Meskwaki tribes. On October 11, 1845, the land was opened for new settlers. A farmer named James Cunningham Jordan was one of the first. His home, the Jordan House, is now a historical site.
The Jordan House was part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. A famous abolitionist, John Brown, stayed at the Jordan House many times. He helped groups of people seeking freedom travel to Canada.
In its early years, the town was a busy place for trading and shipping goods. It became an official city called Valley Junction on October 9, 1893.
Railroads and Racing
Valley Junction was important for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It had switching yards and repair shops. This was because many railroad lines met there. However, the railroad moved its facilities back to Des Moines in 1936.
In 1915, a man named Jack Prince built a special race track. It was a one-mile (1.6 km) oval made of wood. This track was designed for fast race cars. It was one of 24 such tracks in the country. It could hold over 10,000 people.
On August 7, 1915, a big auto race took place. Famous drivers like Ralph DePalma competed. Sadly, two drivers' mechanics were fatally injured in separate accidents. This made the locals unhappy. The track closed two years later. Its wood was used to build other buildings in Valley Junction.
Improving Education
By 1916, the schools were very crowded. People voted to build a new high school for $50,000. The new Valley High School opened in September 1917. Only highly educated teachers were hired. By 1919, the high school was full again. A new junior high school was then built and opened in 1923.
Challenges and Changes
The years 1922 and 1923 were tough. A long strike by railroad workers caused problems for 600 families. The railroad brought in new workers, which caused tension in the community.
Valley Junction became a "dry town" in 1915, meaning alcohol was not sold. In the late 1920s, the Great Depression hit. Railroads left the area, and a coal factory closed. This made times even harder for the city.
A New Name: West Des Moines
By 1937, the city needed a change. Leaders felt the name "Valley Junction" sounded old-fashioned. They thought "West Des Moines" would attract new businesses and people. Some worried about higher taxes or being taken over by Des Moines. But after a third vote on December 7, 1937, the name change was approved.
On January 1, 1938, Valley Junction officially became West Des Moines. To help the new identity, property taxes were stopped between 1936 and 1938. This was possible because the water department made a lot of money. Today, the old business area of Valley Junction is preserved as Historic Valley Junction. It has unique shops, restaurants, and a weekly farmers' market.
Despite the Depression, new schools were built with government help. A new elementary school and the Old Valley Football Stadium opened in 1939. Flooding from the Raccoon River and Walnut Creek has often affected the city. But residents always work to recover.
Growth from 1950 to Today
In 1950, West Des Moines had 5,615 people. But it grew quickly with many new homes. The city added nearby communities like Clover Hills (1950), Ashawa (1957), and Commerce (1960). A new city hall opened in 1954 to handle the growth.
The construction of major highways like Interstate 35, Interstate 80, and Interstate 235 in the 1960s brought more people and businesses. Large shopping centers like Valley West Mall opened in 1975. The population jumped from 11,964 in 1960 to 31,702 in 1990.
West Des Moines continued to grow into Dallas County in the 1990s and 2000s. This included new golf courses and large shopping areas. The Jordan Creek Town Center and shopping mall opened in 2004. Many new hotels, shops, and offices have also been built. In 2005, West Des Moines expanded into Warren County. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa.
New public buildings also opened. A new police station opened in 1992. A new public library opened in 1996. A new city hall was built in 2002. The city also has a new stadium for Valley High School.
Geography and Climate
West Des Moines covers about 39.48 square miles (102.25 km2). Most of this is land, and a small part is water. The city is in the Raccoon River valley. This means some areas, especially Valley Junction, can experience flooding. After a big flood in 1993, a floodwall was built to protect the area.
Climate
West Des Moines has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold winters.
| Climate data for West Des Moines | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26 (−3) |
36 (2) |
48 (9) |
61 (16) |
72 (22) |
82 (28) |
86 (30) |
84 (29) |
76 (24) |
63 (17) |
47 (8) |
33 (1) |
60 (16) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 12 (−11) |
18 (−8) |
29 (−2) |
40 (4) |
51 (11) |
61 (16) |
66 (19) |
64 (18) |
54 (12) |
42 (6) |
29 (−2) |
17 (−8) |
40 (4) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.03 (26) |
1.19 (30) |
2.21 (56) |
3.58 (91) |
4.25 (108) |
4.57 (116) |
4.18 (106) |
4.51 (115) |
3.15 (80) |
2.62 (67) |
2.10 (53) |
1.33 (34) |
34.72 (882) |
| Source: Weather Channel | |||||||||||||
People of West Des Moines
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,700 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,573 | 51.4% | |
| 1920 | 3,631 | 41.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,280 | 17.9% | |
| 1940 | 4,252 | −0.7% | |
| 1950 | 5,615 | 32.1% | |
| 1960 | 11,949 | 112.8% | |
| 1970 | 16,441 | 37.6% | |
| 1980 | 21,894 | 33.2% | |
| 1990 | 31,702 | 44.8% | |
| 2000 | 46,403 | 46.4% | |
| 2010 | 56,609 | 22.0% | |
| 2020 | 68,723 | 21.4% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 70,741 | 25.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2018 Estimate |
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In 2020, West Des Moines had 68,723 residents. This was a 21.4% increase from 2010. The city's population density was about 1,455 people per square mile. Most residents (80.2%) were White. Other groups included African American (3.9%), Asian (6.3%), and people of two or more races (5.4%). About 4.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average household income was $76,564. Most adults (96.6%) had a high school diploma. More than half (53.7%) had a bachelor's degree or higher.
Economy and Jobs
Many companies have their main offices in West Des Moines. These include Hy-Vee, FBL Financial Group, GuideOne Insurance, and American Equity. Other large employers are ADP, Goodrich, and Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has a big corporate campus here.
Microsoft also has several data centers in West Des Moines. One of these centers is home to a very advanced supercomputer. It uses outside air to help with cooling. This helps save water. This location helped train ChatGPT.
Top Employers
Here are some of the biggest employers in West Des Moines:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
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| 1 | Wells Fargo Home Mortgage & Credit Services | 9,000 |
| 2 | Athene USA Corporation | 1,665 |
| 3 | Hy-Vee | 1,594 |
| 4 | West Des Moines Community School District | 1,424 |
| 5 | FBL Financial Group | 1,016 |
| 6 | American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company | 889 |
| 7 | Sammons Financial Group | 753 |
| 8 | The Iowa Clinic | 669 |
| 9 | Microsoft | 630 |
| 10 | ITA Group Inc. | 482 |
Education in West Des Moines
The West Des Moines Community School District serves the city. It has nine elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one main high school, Valley High School. There is also Valley Southwoods, a high school just for freshmen. Walnut Creek Campus is an alternative high school.
Some parts of nearby Clive, Urbandale, and Windsor Heights are also in this school district. The Dallas County part of West Des Moines is in the Waukee Community School District. Three of their elementary schools are in West Des Moines.
Private schools in the city include Dowling Catholic High School. Valley High School moved to its current spot in 1967. Before that, it was in an old brick building that was torn down in 1979.
Transportation
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit system provides bus services in West Des Moines. This helps people get around the city.
Notable People
Many well-known people have connections to West Des Moines:
- Cindy Axne, a congresswoman
- Matt Bullard, a basketball player
- Caitlin Clark, a basketball player for the Indiana Fever and former University of Iowa star. She holds the record for most points in NCAA women's basketball.
- Gabby Douglas, a gymnast and Olympic gold medalist from 2012
- Shawn Johnson, a gymnast and Olympic gold medalist from 2008
- Peter Hedges, a novelist, screenwriter, and director
- Dan Jennings, a baseball player
- Carl Pohlad, a billionaire businessman who owned the Minnesota Twins baseball team.
See also
In Spanish: West Des Moines (Iowa) para niños
