1st Advantage MortgageDes Moines County households have a median income of $62,928 and median rent of $904 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Des Moines County
- Jobs and commutes in Des Moines County
- How much Des Moines County households make
- What it costs to live in Des Moines County
- The counties around Des Moines County
- Towns and communities in Des Moines County
- Who lives in Des Moines County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Des Moines County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Des Moines County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Iowa
- Before you sign
- More guides for Des Moines County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Des Moines County
With an estimated 38,487 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Des Moines County ranks 16th of 99 in Iowa for population. Packed into 416 square miles, that is close to 92 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Des Moines County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (5 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Burlington, with about 23,728 residents, or 62% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Des Moines County
The biggest employer of Des Moines County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward manufacturing (19% against 15%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 7.3% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Des Moines County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.7% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 5.4% | -1.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How much Des Moines County households make
The median household income in Des Moines County is $62,928; statewide it is $75,059, so Des Moines County runs 16% below Iowa as a whole. In the state ranking that is 85th of 99.
| Band | Des Moines County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.5% | +6.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -3.4 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. 12.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). A household earning below the $62,928 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Des Moines County
A typical Des Moines County rental runs $904 a month including utilities, which is 7% below Iowa. By the Census definition, 51% of Des Moines County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $136,500, or 2.2 years of median income. 75% of Des Moines County households own their home and 25% rent.
| Housing | Des Moines County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $904/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $136,500 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Des Moines County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
The counties around Des Moines County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Des Moines County's, from 15 to 31 miles away. Louisa County leads the group on income ($77,354), Henderson County trails ($62,227), and Des Moines County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Des Moines County resident follows Iowa rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines County | - | $62,928 | $904/mo | 75% |
| Henderson County, IL | 15 mi | $62,227 | $764/mo | 81% |
| Henry County, IA | 19 mi | $67,436 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Louisa County, IA | 21 mi | $77,354 | $775/mo | 80% |
| Lee County, IA | 24 mi | $62,382 | $835/mo | 76% |
| Warren County, IL | 30 mi | $67,385 | $788/mo | 75% |
| Mercer County, IL | 31 mi | $74,182 | $786/mo | 84% |
Towns and communities in Des Moines County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Des Moines County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 31,405 people, so roughly 18% of residents live outside any named place. Danville has the highest median household income on the list ($80,192) and West Burlington the lowest ($48,542), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Danville ($700) and steepest in Mediapolis ($1,040). No Des Moines County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | city | 23,728 | $59,000 | $924 | 8 mi |
| West Burlington | city | 3,189 | $48,542 | $800 | 7 mi |
| Mediapolis | city | 1,928 | $75,543 | $1,040 | 7 mi |
| Danville | city | 930 | $80,192 | $700 | 8 mi |
| Beaverdale | CDP | 910 | $57,357 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Middletown | city | 322 | $56,750 | $780 | 7 mi |
| Oak Hills | CDP | 137 | $250,001 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Yarmouth | CDP | 85 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Kingston | CDP | 77 | $73,333 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Sperry | CDP | 73 | $67,050 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Augusta | CDP | 26 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Who lives in Des Moines County, in numbers
24% of Des Moines County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Des Moines County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Des Moines County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
What the numbers mean for Des Moines County borrowers
Based on the Des Moines County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Des Moines County borrower sees (free reports).
Debt-to-income at Des Moines County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Des Moines County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,244 gross per month ($62,928 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $904 uses 17%
- At 36%, room after rent is $984 a month
If your rent is above $904, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Iowa
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Des Moines County borrowers answers to the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Des Moines County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Des Moines County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines County a high-income county?
Its $62,928 median ranks 85th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Des Moines County rent compare with Iowa?
$904 locally versus $972 for the state, 7% below.
I live in a small Des Moines County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Burlington, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville, Beaverdale and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in Des Moines County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Des Moines County check a lender's license?
With the Iowa Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.