West Des Moines ZIP Code List — Polk County, IA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in West Des Moines, Iowa. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

41.61

sq mi land

1.09

sq mi water

515

area code

West Des Moines, IA ZIP code map

About West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines, Iowa, is a vibrant city located within Polk County. With a rich mix of suburban living and urban amenities, it has become an attractive destination for families and businesses alike. The city's strategic location and well-planned neighborhoods contribute to its dynamic character.

Location & geography

West Des Moines is situated in the central part of Iowa, just west of Des Moines, the state capital. It is approximately 7 miles away from downtown Des Moines and is bordered by other communities such as Clive, Urbandale, and Waukee. The city covers a total land area of 41.61 square miles, with an additional water area of 1.09 square miles, giving it ample space for parks and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The community in West Des Moines is known for its friendly atmosphere and active engagement in local events and activities. It hosts a variety of industries, including retail, finance, and healthcare, making it a hub for employment in the region. Daily life in West Des Moines is filled with opportunities for leisure, education, and connection, as residents enjoy numerous parks, schools, and cultural events.

Transportation

West Des Moines is well-connected by major highways, including Interstate 80 and Interstate 35, providing easy access to neighboring areas and cities. The nearest named airport is the Des Moines International Airport, which is located approximately 10 miles to the east, facilitating travel for both residents and visitors. Public transit options, including buses, also serve the area for convenient local transportation.

History

West Des Moines was founded in the mid-19th century and has experienced growth alongside the development of the Des Moines metropolitan area. Key industries that have historically influenced the city include agriculture, retail, and manufacturing, which have adapted over time to modern needs. Notable events have seen the city transform from a small town into one of Iowa's fastest-growing suburbs.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about West Des Moines is that it has a robust farming history that dates back to its founding. Today, the city is also known for major retail centers such as Valley West Mall, which attracts shoppers from across the region.

ZIP codes for West Des Moines, IA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50265	West Des Moines	Polk	View map
50266	West Des Moines	Polk	View map

Demographics & statistics

68,730

Population

36.2

Median age

$82,399

Median household income

$53,807

Per capita income

$275,900

Median home value

$1,129

Median monthly rent

58.7%

Home ownership

7.6%

Poverty rate

2.8%

Unemployment

20,139

Housing units

53.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,987

Under 5

1,985

2,057

5–9

2,055

2,014

10–14

2,012

1,688

15–19

1,686

2,565

20–24

2,563

6,279

25–34

6,273

4,693

35–44

4,689

4,152

45–54

4,147

2,209

55–59

2,206

1,815

60–64

1,814

2,813

65–74

2,811

1,470

75–84

1,469

639

85+

639

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	14,526	21.2%
18 and over	54,204	78.8%
65 and over	9,841	14.4%
Median age	36.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.1%

Two or more races 6.1%

Asian 5.9%

Black or African American 4.2%

Hispanic or Latino 4.2%

Other race 1.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	56,004	78.1%
Two or more races	4,344	6.1%
Asian	4,226	5.9%
Black or African American	3,016	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	2,976	4.2%
Other race	1,077	1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	38	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.4%

$10k–$15k 1.9%

$15k–$25k 5.1%

$25k–$35k 8.4%

$35k–$50k 10.9%

$50k–$75k 16.4%

$75k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 10.9%

$200k+ 13.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.4%
$10k–$15k	1.9%
$15k–$25k	5.1%
$25k–$35k	8.4%
$35k–$50k	10.9%
$50k–$75k	16.4%
$75k–$100k	14.2%
$100k–$150k	16.8%
$150k–$200k	10.9%
$200k+	13.2%
Median income	$82,399

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.2%

$50k–$100k 2.2%

$100k–$150k 7.5%

$150k–$200k 15.9%

$200k–$300k 31.7%

$300k–$500k 30.5%

$500k–$1M 9.0%

$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$275,900
Median rent / month	$1,129
Owner occupied	58.7%
Renter occupied	41.4%
Vacant	5.8%
Single-family detached	46.8%
Large apartment buildings	21.1%
Mobile homes	1.1%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	16.5%
2000–2009	16.9%
1990–1999	19.2%
1980–1989	16.4%
1970–1979	13.1%
1960–1969	4.9%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	1.7%
1939 or earlier	4.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	10.0%
2 bedrooms	38.0%
3 bedrooms	26.0%
4 bedrooms	18.5%
5+ bedrooms	4.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.0%
1 vehicle	40.4%
2 vehicles	42.0%
3 or more	14.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	58.7%
Electricity	39.7%
Propane / LP gas	1.3%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	12,934	41.6%
Cohabiting couple	2,497	7.9%
Male householder, no spouse	7,287	23.1%
Female householder, no spouse	8,575	27.6%
Households with children under 18	8,163	26.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,090	22.9%
Average household size	2.20

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.1%	33.2%
Married	50.0%	45.6%
Separated	1.0%	1.3%
Widowed	2.3%	7.9%
Divorced	8.7%	12.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.4%

Some HS, no diploma 2.2%

HS graduate 16.9%

Some college, no degree 16.7%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 35.3%

Graduate / professional 18.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.5%
Bachelor's or higher	53.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	967	6.3%
Kindergarten	718	4.7%
Elementary school	6,499	41.9%
High school	3,226	20.9%
College / grad school	4,045	26.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Finance & real estate 20.6%

Education & healthcare 20.4%

Professional & management 13.0%

Retail trade 10.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.3%

Manufacturing 6.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Other services 4.9%

Construction 3.5%

Public administration 3.2%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Information 2.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	54.1%
Service	12.6%
Sales & office	20.7%
Natural resources & construction	3.8%
Production & transportation	9.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.6%
Government	11.2%
Self-employed	4.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.7%
Carpool	8.1%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	1.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.8

Poverty

All people 7.6%

Under 18 years 7.9%

18 and over 7.4%

Married-couple families 4.7%

Female-led households 15.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	22.5%
Retirement income	20.0%
Supplemental Security	2.5%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	24.1%
High cholesterol	28.9%
Heart disease	4.2%
Stroke	1.9%
Asthma	8.3%
Arthritis	17.9%
Kidney disease	2.0%
Pulmonary disease	3.8%
Cancer	5.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	24.8%
No physical activity	16.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	26.1%
Fair or poor health	8.5%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	6.4%
No health insurance	7.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.5%
Visited dentist	75.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.8%
Teeth loss	7.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,991	5.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.3%
Under 18	2.1%
18–64 years	7.2%
65 and over	29.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.4%
Public insurance	26.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	64,758	94.3%
Spanish	3,501	5.5%
Other Indo-European	1,065	1.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	892	1.4%
Other languages	693	1.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	61,300	89.3%
Born in same state	60,136	87.6%
Born in different state	41,852	61.0%
Foreign born	1,164	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	7,430	10.8%
Not a US citizen	3,571	48.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	9,971	14.5%
French	8,166	11.9%
Polish	3,439	5%
Arab	2,783	4%
English	1,832	2.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	1,133	1.6%
German	128	0.2%
Norwegian	102	0.1%
Irish	32	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.5%
Internet access	97.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does West Des Moines, IA have?

West Des Moines, IA has two ZIP codes: 50265 and 50266. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.