Des Moines, IA population age distribution
A complete breakdown of Des Moines's age demographics from 0 to 85 years, distributed across 18 age groups is listed in the table below.
Age Group | Population | % of Total Population |
---|---|---|
Under 5 years | 14,906 | 6.98% |
5 to 9 years | 13,709 | 6.42% |
10 to 14 years | 14,165 | 6.63% |
15 to 19 years | 14,908 | 6.98% |
20 to 24 years | 16,024 | 7.5% |
25 to 29 years | 19,077 | 8.93% |
30 to 34 years | 16,668 | 7.81% |
35 to 39 years | 13,928 | 6.52% |
40 to 44 years | 13,411 | 6.28% |
45 to 49 years | 12,540 | 5.87% |
50 to 54 years | 12,889 | 6.04% |
55 to 59 years | 13,954 | 6.53% |
60 to 64 years | 11,561 | 5.41% |
65 to 69 years | 9,307 | 4.36% |
70 to 74 years | 6,912 | 3.24% |
75 to 79 years | 3,564 | 1.67% |
80 to 84 years | 2,835 | 1.33% |
85 years and over | 3,187 | 1.49% |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Des Moines, IA population by age group
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2021

The largest age group in Des Moines, IA was for the group of age 25-29 years with a population of 19,077 (8.93%), according to the 2021 American Community Survey.
At the same time, the smallest age group in Des Moines, IA was the 80-84 years with a population of 2,835 (1.33%).
Des Moines, IA population by age cohort
To better understand the age distribution of Des Moines, IA's population, we divided it into the following 3 cohorts:
- Children : Under the age of 18 years
- Adults (working population): Between the age of 18 and 64 years
- Seniors: 65 years and above

Here's the population for each of the three cohorts.
Age Group | Population | % of Total Population |
---|---|---|
Under 18 years | 51,084 | 23.92% |
18 to 64 years | 136,656 | 63.99% |
85 years and over | 25,805 | 12.08% |
Key stats for each age cohort as per our analysis of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey:
- Des Moines's population under 18 was 23.92%, compared to the 22.51% nationwide.
- Des Moines's working population (between 18 and 64) was 63.99%, compared to 61.45% nationwide.
- Des Moines's elderly or the senior population (over 65 age) was 12.08% as compared to 16.04% nationwide.
Des Moines, IA population pyramid
Population pyramid for Des Moines, IA is charted below using the estimates from U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. A wide base suggests population increase, narrow base indicates declining birth rates.
Key stats from our analysis of the Des Moines's population pyramid:
- Youth dependency ratio, which is the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Des Moines, IA, is 29.5.
- Old-age dependency ratio, which is the number of persons aged 65 or over per 100 persons aged 15-64, for Des Moines, IA, is 17.8.
- Total dependency ratio for Des Moines, IA is 47.3.
- Potential support ratio, which is the number of youth (working age population) per elderly, for Des Moines, IA is 5.6.

Here's the Des Moines, IA's male and female population across different age groups:
Age Group | Population(Male) | Population(Female) | Total Population |
---|---|---|---|
Under 5 years | 7,468 | 7,438 | 14,906 |
5 to 9 years | 6,636 | 7,073 | 13,709 |
10 to 14 years | 7,165 | 7,000 | 14,165 |
15 to 19 years | 7,294 | 7,614 | 14,908 |
20 to 24 years | 7,862 | 8,162 | 16,024 |
25 to 29 years | 8,948 | 10,129 | 19,077 |
30 to 34 years | 8,814 | 7,854 | 16,668 |
35 to 39 years | 7,264 | 6,664 | 13,928 |
40 to 44 years | 6,806 | 6,605 | 13,411 |
45 to 49 years | 6,231 | 6,309 | 12,540 |
50 to 54 years | 6,797 | 6,092 | 12,889 |
55 to 59 years | 6,646 | 7,308 | 13,954 |
60 to 64 years | 5,417 | 6,144 | 11,561 |
65 to 69 years | 4,485 | 4,822 | 9,307 |
70 to 74 years | 3,179 | 3,733 | 6,912 |
75 to 79 years | 1,443 | 2,121 | 3,564 |
80 to 84 years | 1,090 | 1,745 | 2,835 |
85 years and over | 1,263 | 1,924 | 3,187 |
Things to know
What is the population of Des Moines, IA under 18?
Des Moines's population under the age of 18 is 51,084, as per the latest U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimates. This population is 23.92% of the total resident population of Des Moines, IA.
What is the aging population in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines's population aged 65 years and above was 25,805. As per the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, this population is 12.08% of the entire population.
References
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates