Des Moines again tops the charts for growth among large Midwestern metros, census shows
Des Moines is again topping the chart as the fastest-growing major Midwest metro.
According to newly released US Census estimates, the Des Moines metro grew 1.2% from 2021 to 2022. That exceeded the rate for other hot spots in the region that also are among the nation's top 100 most-populous metros. They include Madison, Wisconsin (0.9%), Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio (both 0.6%), Omaha, Nebraska (0.4%) and Grand Rapids, Michigan (0.2%).
The metro's growth also exceeded the rate for Iowa's second-fastest-growing metro, Iowa City, at 0.8%, though the overall Midwestern crown belongs to a non-top-100 metro, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 2.6%.
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The Des Moines metro's growth is the continuation of a long-term trend for the area, as it swelled from 626,778 residents in 2012 to 729,053 in 2022, an increase of 16.3%.
For reference, Des Moines’ downtown area has nearly doubled its population over the last decade with the addition of 3,774 people — an 82% increase.
Why the steady growth?
The Greater Des Moines Partnership, the area’s economic and community development organization, credits the expansion to an affordable cost of living and career opportunities.
“This population growth helps demonstrate the momentum of our collective region as a place where people want to live and work,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, the partnership’s soon-to-be-seated president and CEO, succeeding Jay Byers, who is leaving to be president of Simpson College.
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Des Moines metro growth leaders
Chart-topping cities within the Des Moines metro included Waukee, with growth of 10% for 2021-22; Bondurant with 8%; Cumming, 7%; Polk City, 5%; Altoona and Norwalk, 4% apiece; and Ankeny, 3%.
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The city of Des Moines, however, lost almost 1% of its population.
The Iowa city that saw the most growth for the year was Tiffin in the Iowa City metro, estimated at 11%.
Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at ALathers@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines metro still growing faster than Midwestern peers
