photo credit: PaulAdamsPhotography

Fort Des Moines was named after the Des Moines River, which is believed to be adapted from the French Rivière des Moines which means “River of the Monks.” The city was incorporated in 1851, and the city’s name was changed to simply “Des Moines” in 1857. This city is the capital of Iowa and the most populated in the state. According to the 2010 census, the population was 203,433. The metropolitan area covers a total of five counties, and it’s ranked the 88th most populated in 2011 for the US with 580,255 residents. Des Moines is known for financial services, publishing, and a sizable insurance industry. A Business Wire article attributed Des Moines as being the third largest insurance capital of the world. Des Moines was listed at number one as “America’s Best Cities for Young Adults” by Forbes magazine, and Self Magazine stated it was the Greenest city for Women.

Des Moines Metro Demographics

Population*: 155,429 (18+)
White American: 76.4%
Hispanic or Latino: 12%
African-American: 10.2%
Asian American: 4.4%
From two or more races: 3.4%
Native American: 0.5%
Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Median household income: $44,997

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Sports in Des Moines

Events in Des Moines

Most large-scale events in the market are held at the Iowa Events Center.

Business and Education in Des Moines

The city is home to one Fortune 500 Company, Principal Financial. Other companies of note headquartered in Des Moines include AccessAir, CDS Global, Dice.com, Dwolla, EFCO, FBL Financial Group, G&L Clothing, GuideOne Insurance, Handera, a Norwegian Press, Meredith Corporation, and Mid American Energy Company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, Principal Financial Group, Right Stuf Inc., Smash (clothing), Strategic America, and Wells Fargo Financial.

Advertising & PR agencies: (AD) Two Rivers Marketing, Innova Ideas & Services, ME&V, Flynn Wright, Blur MediaWorks, Skyline Exhibits Central Iowa, Juicebox Interactive, Brainstorm Marketing, Spider Promotions Security Division, Gannett Imaging and Ad Design Center – GIADC (PR) Gillette Strategic Resources, Isba Public Services Project, Essman Associates, Zir Ignition, Beecher Public Relations, and LPCA Public Strategies.

Colleges: There are no public universities located within the city limits. Private colleges in the city include Drake University, Grand View University, Simpson College, Upper Iowa University (UIU), William Penn University, and Des Moines University

Must see destinations in Des Moines, IA

For more information on Des Moines, please visit the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce website.